St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy
73%
Capacity
548
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the St. Helens community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 548 pupils on roll, operating at 73% capacity.
Ofsted has rated St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Giselle Lynch, it falls under St. Helens local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.05 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 45.0. Additionally, ranked 1649th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 9 in St. Helens.
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 267 applications for 102 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 99 were first-preference applications.
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 62% recommending the school (34 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy include Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Science Labs, Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Astro Turf, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Cricket, Rounders, Rugby and 3 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Coding, Young Enterprise, Eco Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 46.8%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in St. Helens, St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Boardmans Lane, St. Helens, St. Helens, WA11 9BB |
| Headteacher | Giselle Lynch |
| Local Authority | St. Helens |
| Number of Pupils | 548 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 46.8% |
| School Capacity | 548 / 750 (73% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Dec 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 28 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.05)
1649th of 3,141
Nationally
182nd of 445
In North West
3rd of 9
In St. Helens
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
34 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed102
267
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
99 families put this school as their 1st choice (37% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Boardmans Lane, St. Helens
St. Helens, WA11 9BB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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