St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy
111%
Capacity
1,213
Pupils
4.6x
Demand
About St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy
St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Leeds community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,213 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (111% of 1,096 places).
the school is led by headteacher Margaret Hattersley, it falls under Leeds local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.41 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 56.5. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 638th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 15th out of 42 in Leeds.
St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 932 applications for 202 places, making it 4.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 213 were first-preference applications.
St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 70% recommending the school (301 responses).
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 Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy include ICT Suite, Art Studios, Tennis Courts, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Theatre, Library, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rugby, Martial Arts, Hockey, Football and 4 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Debate, Art Club, Coding and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 7.2%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Leeds, St. Mary's Menston, a 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 | Bradford Road, Ilkley, Leeds, LS29 6AE |
| Headteacher | Margaret Hattersley |
| Local Authority | Leeds |
| Number of Pupils | 1,213 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 7.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,213 / 1,096 (111% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Feb 2025Quality of Education
Outstanding
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 11 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.41)
638th of 3,141
Nationally
55th of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
15th of 42
In Leeds
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
38.6
'22/23
39.4
'23/24
36.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
301 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
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed202
932
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
213 families put this school as their 1st choice (23% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Mary's Menston, a 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
Bradford Road, Ilkley
Leeds, LS29 6AE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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