SchoolScoresCardinal Pole Catholic School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of LUX MUNDI CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
205 Morning Lane, Hackney, London, E9 6LG
020 8985 5150 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 January 2017. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 9 March 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
155 pupils in this year group.
28% — 21 points below the Hackney average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 49% | 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. | 42.9 | 50.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
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.
170 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Hackney average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 56% | 53% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 11% | 10% | 13% |
| Further education college | 24% | 26% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 91% |
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
88 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 14% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 42% | 58% | 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. | 32.9 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 255 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 54 | 4% | 6% | 19% |
| Sociology | 40 | 3% | 13% | 20% |
| Religious Studies | 21 | 0% | 5% | 22% |
| Economics | 19 | 5% | 26% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 18 | 11% | 39% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 16 | 0% | 13% | 30% |
| Government and Politics | 14 | 0% | 14% | 26% |
| Biology | 13 | 0% | 8% | 27% |
| History | 10 | 10% | 30% | 23% |
| English Literature | 9 | 11% | 11% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Physics | 6 | 17% | 50% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Geography, Art and Design, Spanish, French, Mathematics (Further).
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.
110 students in this year group.
97% — 18 points above the Hackney average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 97% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 7% |
| Work | 2% | 14% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 97% |
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.
94 students in this year group.
84% — 8 points above the Hackney average, and 24 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 84% | 76% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 27% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 84% |
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 Hackney. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 155 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 124 |
| Of those, offered a place | 124 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 311 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hackney | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 65.8% | 52.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 4.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2% | 15.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 42.7% | 38.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 7.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.1% | 21.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 19.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Hackney. Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 10.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.57% | 0.35% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 14.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Hackney. Higher than 78% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3% | 20.0%* | 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
- The City Academy, Hackney 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Urswick School - A CofE Secondary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Clapton Girls' Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 71% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mossbourne Community Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 exceptional, 2 strong, 2 expected · 70% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Excelsior Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mulberry UTC 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- City of London Academy, Shoreditch Park 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Bridge Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oaklands School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong, 1 expected · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cardinal Pole Catholic School's Ofsted rating?
Cardinal Pole Catholic School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 January 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 9 March 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Cardinal Pole Catholic School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 28% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Cardinal Pole Catholic School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 124 families put Cardinal Pole Catholic School as their first choice for 155 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 124 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 150604.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.