St Nicholas Catholic High School
98%
Capacity
1,220
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About St Nicholas Catholic High School
St Nicholas Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Cheshire West and Chester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,220 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 1,240 places).
Ofsted has rated St Nicholas Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Craig Burns, it falls under Cheshire West and Chester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.17 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 49.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 1160th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 19 in Cheshire West and Chester.
St Nicholas Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 464 applications for 215 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 208 were first-preference applications.
St Nicholas Catholic High School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.1/5 from 4 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Nicholas Catholic High School include ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Art Studios, Library, Tennis Courts, Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Netball, Badminton, Basketball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Coding, Gardening, Book Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.2%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester, St Nicholas 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Greenbank Lane, Northwich, Cheshire West and Chester, CW8 1JW |
| Headteacher | Craig Burns |
| Local Authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,220 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,220 / 1,240 (98% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 7 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.17)
1160th of 3,141
Nationally
118th of 445
In North West
9th of 19
In Cheshire West and Chester
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
34.5
'22/23
31.7
'23/24
29.4
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed215
464
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
208 families put this school as their 1st choice (45% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Nicholas 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
Greenbank Lane, Northwich
Cheshire West and Chester, CW8 1JW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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