St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy
87%
Capacity
928
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Kirklees community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 928 pupils on roll and is well-filled (87% of 1,069 places).
Ofsted has rated St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Karl Mackey, it falls under Kirklees local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.99 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 31.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of D+. Additionally, ranked 3013th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 24th out of 24 in Kirklees.
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 289 applications for 184 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 113 were first-preference applications.
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 75% recommending the school (51 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy include Swimming Pool, Library, Theatre, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Astro Turf, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Cricket, Dance, Athletics and 5 more, as well as clubs including DofE, Science Club, Choir, Coding and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 42.2%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Kirklees, St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Oxford Road, Dewsbury, Kirklees, WF13 4LL |
| Headteacher | Karl Mackey |
| Local Authority | Kirklees |
| Number of Pupils | 928 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 42.2% |
| School Capacity | 928 / 1,069 (87% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
25 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 18 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.99)
3013th of 3,141
Nationally
293rd of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
24th of 24
In Kirklees
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
26.9
'22/23
19.7
'23/24
22.7
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
51 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
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed184
289
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
113 families put this school as their 1st choice (39% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary 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
Oxford Road, Dewsbury
Kirklees, WF13 4LL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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