St John Plessington Catholic College
86%
Capacity
1,544
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About St John Plessington Catholic College
St John Plessington Catholic College is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Wirral community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,544 pupils on roll and is well-filled (86% of 1,800 places).
Ofsted has rated St John Plessington Catholic College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Peadar McLoughlin, it falls under Wirral local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.35 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 38.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 2349th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 14th out of 20 in Wirral.
St John Plessington Catholic College is a popular choice with families — it received 540 applications for 268 places, making it 2.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 256 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St John Plessington Catholic College include Gymnasium, Art Studios, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Swimming, Basketball, Dance and 3 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Drama, Gardening, Choir and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 39.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wirral, St John Plessington Catholic College 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Old Chester Road, Wirral, Wirral, CH63 7LF |
| Headteacher | Peadar McLoughlin |
| Local Authority | Wirral |
| Number of Pupils | 1,544 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 39.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,544 / 1,800 (86% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.35)
2349th of 3,141
Nationally
297th of 445
In North West
14th of 20
In Wirral
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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
29.2
'22/23
25.6
'23/24
28.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE 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
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed268
540
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
256 families put this school as their 1st choice (47% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St John Plessington Catholic College
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
Old Chester Road, Wirral
Wirral, CH63 7LF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St John Plessington Catholic College!
Write a Review