St Mary's Catholic Academy
99%
Capacity
1,184
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic Academy
St Mary's Catholic Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Blackpool community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,184 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 1,199 places).
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Simon Eccles, it falls under Blackpool local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.70 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.0. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 2852nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 9 in Blackpool.
St Mary's Catholic Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 489 applications for 227 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 268 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic Academy include Theatre, Library, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, ICT Suite, Science Labs, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Athletics, Netball, Football and 6 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Art Club, Drama, Chess and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 36.4%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Blackpool, St Mary's Catholic Academy 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 | St Walburga's Road, Blackpool, Blackpool, FY3 7EQ |
| Headteacher | Simon Eccles |
| Local Authority | Blackpool |
| Number of Pupils | 1,184 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 36.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,184 / 1,199 (99% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
10 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 29 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.70)
2852nd of 3,141
Nationally
382nd of 445
In North West
3rd of 9
In Blackpool
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
30.1
'22/23
33.0
'23/24
31.6
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
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed227
489
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
268 families put this school as their 1st choice (55% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's Catholic 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
St Walburga's Road, Blackpool
Blackpool, FY3 7EQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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