St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy

About St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy

St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy in Liverpool is a boys' secondary school with a capacity of 1,302, but currently houses 1,024 pupils, meaning it is running below its full potential. The school serves a community with a significant proportion of disadvantaged pupils, with 27.8% eligible for free school meals, notably higher than the national average of around 23%. Demand for places is strong, with 264 applications for 158 Year 7 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.67. However, only 80 of those applications were first-preference offers, suggesting that while the school is popular, many families are not ranking it as their top choice. As a Roman Catholic school, it prioritises faith-based admissions, which shapes its intake. The school has a co-educational sixth form, and its facilities include a swimming pool, theatre, and chapel, alongside standard provisions like science labs and sports fields.

Academically, the school is currently rated as Requires Improvement by Ofsted, a grade it has held across both its 2018 and 2021 inspections. The most recent graded inspection in October 2021 found all key areas—quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision—all rated as Requires Improvement. This is a consistent picture of a school that has not yet turned a corner. In the local context, Liverpool's average Progress 8 score is -0.4, which is below the national average of 0, and St Francis Xavier's would need to improve significantly to match even that. The local authority has only two outstanding secondary schools out of 36, so competition is stiff. The nearest outstanding school is Liverpool College, 2.9 km away, which may draw some families who prioritise top grades. Without specific exam results in the data, it is hard to gauge exact attainment, but the Ofsted rating suggests academic outcomes are a key area for improvement.

For families considering this school, the practical picture is mixed. The school offers a wide range of facilities, including an astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre, plus clubs like Model UN, Young Enterprise, and Eco Club. It also has extensive SEND provisions, covering dyslexia, autism, and physical disabilities, which may appeal to parents of children with additional needs. However, the oversubscription ratio of 1.67 and the fact that only half of applicants got a first-preference offer indicate that securing a place is competitive, particularly for Catholic families who may have priority. The school is not boarding and has no nursery provision. Given the Requires Improvement rating, this school may suit families who value its faith ethos and broad extracurricular offer, but who are prepared to monitor academic progress closely. It is a school with potential, but one that is still working to meet its capacity and improve outcomes.

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