St James' Catholic High School
100%
Capacity
824
Pupils
4.3x
Demand
About St James' Catholic High School
St James' Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Stockport community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 824 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 825 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Anthony Pontifex, it falls under Stockport local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.23 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 52.9. Additionally, ranked 999th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 6th out of 13 in Stockport.
St James' Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 643 applications for 151 places, making it 4.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 169 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Catholic High School include Sports Hall, Theatre, Sixth Form Centre, ICT Suite, Library, Art Studios, Tennis Courts, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Hockey, Swimming, Martial Arts and 5 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Debate, DofE, Film Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 14.4%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Stockport, St James' Catholic High School 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 | St James' Way, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 6PZ |
| Headteacher | Anthony Pontifex |
| Local Authority | Stockport |
| Number of Pupils | 824 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.4% |
| School Capacity | 824 / 825 (100% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 Feb 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 4 May 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.23)
999th of 3,141
Nationally
102nd of 445
In North West
6th of 13
In Stockport
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed151
643
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
169 families put this school as their 1st choice (26% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Catholic High School
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
St James' Way, Cheadle
Stockport, SK8 6PZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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