St Benedict's Catholic High School

About St Benedict's Catholic High School

St Benedict's Catholic High School sits within Cumberland's secondary landscape as one of 20 state schools in the local authority, and it ranks among the top performers in the area. The school's closest peers by ranking score are Keswick School, Cockermouth School, and Richard Rose Morton Academy, placing it in strong company for families comparing options in the region. Headteacher Emma Jackson leads this mixed Roman Catholic secondary for pupils aged 11 to 18, which currently has 992 pupils on roll. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, the school achieved an overall effectiveness rating of Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. That marks a clear improvement from its previous graded inspection, where overall effectiveness was judged as Requires Improvement. An ungraded inspection in June 2025 confirmed that standards have been maintained, and the sixth form provision was separately rated Good. The school's religious character as a Roman Catholic institution is reflected in its on-site chapel, a facility that supports its faith-based identity within the local community.

Academic outcomes at St Benedict's are not directly available through Progress 8 or KS2 SATs data in this profile, but the school's Ofsted trajectory tells a positive story of improvement. The previous inspection in 2013 rated the school Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management at that time scored as Good. By the 2014 graded inspection, overall effectiveness had risen to Good, and that rating has been sustained through to the most recent ungraded visit in 2025. For context, Cumberland's local authority average Progress 8 score stands at -0.44, which gives a benchmark for how schools in the area typically perform. The sixth form provision at St Benedict's is rated Good, suggesting that post-16 students receive solid teaching and support. While exact exam results are not listed here, the school's consistent Good rating across multiple inspections and its sixth form's Good judgement indicate a reliable standard of academic delivery that families can expect to be maintained.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including art studios, a swimming pool, gymnasium, theatre, astro turf, ICT suite, sports hall, dining hall, library, science labs, and a chapel. Sports on offer include hockey, athletics, football, gymnastics, rowing, and cross country, while extracurricular clubs such as eco club, choir, art club, debate, and a newspaper group provide additional enrichment. The school's SEND provisions are not detailed in this data, but its size and range of facilities suggest it can accommodate a variety of needs. St Benedict's is likely to suit Catholic families or those seeking a faith-based secondary education in Cumberland, particularly given its improved Ofsted standing and maintained Good rating. The school's oversubscription status is not specified here, but its position among the top-ranked peers in the LA may make it a popular choice for local families. Parents should check current admissions criteria directly with the school or the local authority.

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