St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy
100%
Capacity
1,144
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy
St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Leicester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,144 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 1,142 places).
Ofsted has rated St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Shelley Conaghan, it falls under Leicester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.30 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 50.0. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 840th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 10th out of 20 in Leicester.
St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 357 applications for 184 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 182 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, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy include Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Music Rooms, Astro Turf, Science Labs, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Library, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Basketball, Martial Arts, Tennis and 6 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Gardening, Choir, Book Club and 8 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.0%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Leicester, St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy is one of the options available in the East Midlands 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 | Spencefield Lane, Leicester, Leicester, LE5 6HN |
| Headteacher | Shelley Conaghan |
| Local Authority | Leicester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,144 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,144 / 1,142 (100% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
25 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (25 Jan 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 6 Feb 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.30)
840th of 3,141
Nationally
60th of 273
In East Midlands
10th of 20
In Leicester
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
39.0
'22/23
34.1
'23/24
31.8
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
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
22Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed184
357
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
182 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Paul's Catholic School, a 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
Spencefield Lane, Leicester
Leicester, LE5 6HN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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