SchoolScoresSaint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of POPE FRANCIS CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Cumber Lane, Whiston, Prescot, L35 2XG
0151 477 8770 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 17 April 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 28% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 32% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 16% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 20 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 1% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 15% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 23 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 1% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 13% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 8%said yes | 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. 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
133 pupils in this year group.
11% — 13 points below the Knowsley average, and 34 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Knowsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 11% | 25% | 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. | 30.2 | 34.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.5 | 2.9 | 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.
131 pupils in this year group.
84% — 2 points above the Knowsley average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Knowsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 84% | 82% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 6% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 18% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 56% | 50% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 84% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 Knowsley. 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 | 193 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 74 |
| Of those, offered a place | 74 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 197 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.4
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 | Knowsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.2% | 53.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3% | 18.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 44% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 6.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Lower than 1% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2% | 10.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Lower than 1% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 47.8% | 31.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Lower than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 97.1 | 28.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 24.6% | 11.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.66% | 0.40% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 71% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8 | 15.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 9.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Knowsley. Higher than 97% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 32.0% | 13.3%* | 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
- Tower College 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Rainhill High School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Prescot School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lord Derby Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sutton Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- De La Salle School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy's Ofsted rating?
Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 April 2024.
How did Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 11% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 34 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy?
8% of the 25 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 74 families put Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy as their first choice for 193 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 74 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 148534.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.