SchoolScoresEnglish Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Anstey Lane, Leicester, LE4 0FJ
0116 242 8880 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 May 2014. 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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 5 May 2023: 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
189 pupils in this year group.
57% — 14 points above the Leicester average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 43% | 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. | 54 | 45.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.8 | 4.0 | 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.
232 pupils in this year group.
93% — 4 points above the Leicester average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 48% | 18% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 16% | 38% | 13% |
| Further education college | 26% | 29% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 93% |
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
115 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 21% | 28% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 58% | 57% | 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. | 31.6 | 32.3 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
19 subjects, 249 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 36 | 3% | 22% | 20% |
| Psychology | 30 | 10% | 27% | 19% |
| Biology | 24 | 8% | 33% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 24 | 4% | 21% | 30% |
| English Literature | 23 | 0% | 4% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 20 | 0% | 20% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 18 | 6% | 39% | 40% |
| Religious Studies | 15 | 0% | 20% | 22% |
| History | 11 | 0% | 36% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 10 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 8 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Physics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 31% |
| Film Studies | 7 | 0% | 14% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Government and Politics, French, Music, German, Mathematics (Further), 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.
122 students in this year group.
92% — 15 points above the Leicester average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 92% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 13% | 23% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 92% |
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.
84 students in this year group.
81% — 16 points above the Leicester average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 81% | 65% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 27% | 10% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 81% |
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 Leicester. 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 offered | 185 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 244 |
| Of those, offered a place | 179 (73%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 449 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.3
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 5 places. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 29th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0% | 30.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 31st highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 27th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 12.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 59.7% | 53.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 7.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 22.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4 | 18.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 11th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 88% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.0 | 17.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 36th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 4% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 14.0%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Beaumont Leys School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Brook Mead Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- Babington Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Herewoode Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Castle Mead Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Darul Uloom Leicester 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
- Fullhurst Community College 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beauchamp City Sixth Form 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B average A level grade
- Emmanuel Christian School 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Moat Community College 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 May 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Is English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 244 families put English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 185 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 179 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 146196.
- 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.