St Mary's Catholic High School
98%
Capacity
817
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic High School
St Mary's Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the South Ribble community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 817 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 830 places).
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Phil Thompson, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.11 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.5. Additionally, ranked 1785th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 11 in South Ribble.
St Mary's Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 478 applications for 162 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 209 were first-preference applications.
St Mary's Catholic High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 92% recommending the school (112 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic High School include Library, Astro Turf, Science Labs, Tennis Courts, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Rowing, Rugby, Basketball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Young Enterprise, Debate, Science Club and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 20.8%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in South Ribble, St Mary's 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 | Royal Avenue, Leyland, South Ribble, PR25 1BS |
| Headteacher | Phil Thompson |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 817 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.8% |
| School Capacity | 817 / 830 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jun 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Jun 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jul 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.11)
1785th of 3,141
Nationally
203rd of 445
In North West
7th of 11
In South Ribble
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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.
Ofsted Parent View
112 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
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed162
478
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
209 families put this school as their 1st choice (44% 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 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
Royal Avenue, Leyland
South Ribble, PR25 1BS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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