SchoolScoresSaints Peter and Paul Catholic High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Highfield Road, Widnes, WA8 7DW
0151 424 2139 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 June 2017.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 6 July 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
215 pupils in this year group.
33% — 6 points below the Halton average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 39% | 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. | 41.4 | 42.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 3.6 | 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.
220 pupils in this year group.
95% — 3 points above the Halton average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 6% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 83% | 69% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 95% |
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 Halton. 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 271 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 247 |
| Of those, offered a place | 242 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 659 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 8 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 42.2% | 42.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 4.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 9.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.6% | 28.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 21.3 | 20.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 8.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.61% | 0.50% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Widnes. Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 13.0%* | 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
- Wade Deacon High School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ormiston Chadwick Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tower College 2.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Rainhill High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Grange School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 6 July 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 247 families put Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School as their first choice for 271 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 242 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 111457.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.