The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
About The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School is a large, mixed secondary in Stevenage, part of Hertfordshire Local Authority. It ranks 1st out of 6 schools in Stevenage by Progress 8 score, placing it comfortably ahead of local peers. Across the wider Hertfordshire area, it sits 11th among 86 same-type state schools, a strong showing that puts it in the top tier locally. The top-performing schools in the county by the same metric are Sandringham School, Yavneh College, and Dame Alice Owen's School, all of which post higher Progress 8 scores. Still, within its immediate town, Saint John Henry Newman is the standout choice for families prioritising academic progress. The school is Roman Catholic in character and has a headteacher, David Carrasco-Morley, leading a roll of 1,605 pupils — well above its stated capacity of 1,405, which hints at its popularity. It also operates a formal sixth form, making it a through-school option for students from age 11 to 18.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Jul 2024Latest monitoring visit (17 Jul 2024): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 23 Feb 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
21Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic 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