Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre

Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form

Stamford Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4EX

01704 565121 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 29 November 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths37%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 32% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils822Room for 1,223 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,042 in 2019, 858 in 2021, 853 in 2022, 870 in 2023, 830 in 2024, 834 in 2025, 822 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.996 for 112 places, September 2026
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 32% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 29 November 2023.

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
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formRequires improvement
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

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

Sefton comparisons use the 9 of its 18 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 schoolSeftonEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 81% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 83% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 84% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 70% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 24 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 86% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 48% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 57 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 95% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 66% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sefton.
Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93%said yes 74% 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. Sefton figures pool parents at the Sefton 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

113 pupils in this year group.

37% — 2 points below the Sefton average, and 8 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSeftonEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 37% 40% 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. 41.8 42.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.5 3.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 31%This school 2023/24: 37%This school 2024/25: 37% This school England 45% 2022/23 31% 2023/24 37% 2024/25 37%

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.

176 pupils in this year group.

92% — 3 points above the Sefton average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 27%60%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolSeftonEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 92% 89% 92%
School sixth form 27% 25% 34%
Sixth form college 2% 2% 13%
Further education college 60% 53% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
93%92%

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

44 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSeftonEngland
Average A level grade D+ C B-
A level exams graded A* or A 7% 17% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 28% 43% 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. 24.4 29.9 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: 24.8This school 2023/24: 30.2This school 2024/25: 24.4 This school England 35 2022/23 24.8 2023/24 30.2 2024/25 24.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

12 subjects, 90 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Physical Education / Sports Studies 15 0% 0% 17%
Business Studies:Single 11 9% 18% 16%
Sociology 11 0% 0% 20%
Biology 10 0% 10% 27%
History 9 0% 11% 23%
Psychology 9 11% 11% 19%
Chemistry 7 0% 0% 30%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Law, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Mathematics, Film Studies, Art and Design.

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.

59 students in this year group.

78% — 3 points above the Sefton average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSeftonEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 78% 75% 79%
Apprenticeship 3% 8% 7%
Work 25% 32% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
77%78%

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.

46 students in this year group.

72% — 19 points above the Sefton average, and 12 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSeftonEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 72% 53% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 13% 12% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
55%72%

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 Sefton. 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 offered112
Families who put it first96
Of those, offered a place96 (100%)
Families who listed it at all294

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.9

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 Sefton

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolSeftonEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
31.9% 29.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.2% 16.0%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
24.1% 7.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.1% 10.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.1% 28.2%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
8.3 14.8 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Lower than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.8% 7.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.48% 0.17% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.9 16.6 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.5 11.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport.
Higher than 3% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
4.0% 12.5%* 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 Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre's Ofsted rating?

Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 29 November 2023.

How did Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 37% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre?

93% of the 74 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 96 families put Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre as their first choice for 112 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 96 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.