Bishop Milner Catholic College

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form

Part of ST GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST

Bishop Milner Catholic College, Burton Road, Dudley, DY1 3BY

01384 889422 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 23 June 2015; confirmed 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths40%England 45% · 2024/25
12th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 39% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils798Room for 800 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 870 in 2019, 843 in 2021, 862 in 2022, 861 in 2023, 853 in 2024, 837 in 2025, 798 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.6228 for 145 places, September 2026
1st highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 94% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 23 June 2015.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 20 September 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

86 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Dudley comparisons use the 11 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolDudleyEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 75% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 76% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 67% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 33 parents whose child had been bullied
5th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 45% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
48% 44% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 60 parents who had raised a concern
3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 67% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 65% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dudley.
Higher than 58% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83%said yes 71% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Dudley figures pool parents at the Dudley schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

147 pupils in this year group.

40% — 1 points below the Dudley average, and 6 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDudleyEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 40% 41% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 45.9 43 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.8 3.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 36%This school 2023/24: 47%This school 2024/25: 40% This school England 45% 2022/23 36% 2023/24 47% 2024/25 40%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

150 pupils in this year group.

89% — about the same as the Dudley average, and 3 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 30%11%45%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolDudleyEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 89% 90% 92%
School sixth form 30% 12% 34%
Sixth form college 11% 12% 13%
Further education college 45% 59% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 3% 3%
Work 1% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%89%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

47 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolDudleyEngland
Average A level grade D+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 9% 22% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 21% 51% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 24.3 32.3 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 22.8This school 2023/24: 23.1This school 2024/25: 24.3 This school England 35 2022/23 22.8 2023/24 23.1 2024/25 24.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

14 subjects, 101 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Sociology 20 0% 0% 20%
Psychology 18 6% 6% 19%
Mathematics 10 0% 10% 40%
Biology 9 0% 33% 27%
Chemistry 9 0% 0% 30%
English Literature 7 0% 0% 23%
Economics 6 0% 17% 26%
History 6 17% 17% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design, Religious Studies, Geography, Physics, Italian, Polish.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

62 students in this year group.

94% — 20 points above the Dudley average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDudleyEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 94% 74% 79%
Apprenticeship 10% 9% 7%
Work 18% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%94%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

59 students in this year group.

78% — 23 points above the Dudley average, and 18 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDudleyEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 78% 55% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 14% 14% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
72%78%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Dudley. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered145
Families who put it first228
Of those, offered a place140 (61%)
Families who listed it at all511

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.7 · 2026: 1.6

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Dudley

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolDudleyEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
12th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
28.4% 30.2%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.8% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
13th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.5% 13.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
5th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.5% 11.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
7th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.2% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
8th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
23.4% 25.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
18th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Lower than 16% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
39.1 18.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
14th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.6% 8.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils 0.96% 0.48% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 12th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.9 16.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 9th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.5 11.6 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dudley.
Higher than 92% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
25.6% 13.4%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Bishop Milner Catholic College's Ofsted rating?

Bishop Milner Catholic College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 June 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 September 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did Bishop Milner Catholic College do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Bishop Milner Catholic College?

83% of the 86 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Bishop Milner Catholic College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Bishop Milner Catholic College oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 228 families put Bishop Milner Catholic College as their first choice for 145 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 140 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.