SchoolScoresSt Benedict's Catholic High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Red Lonning, Hensingham, Whitehaven, CA28 8UG
01946 692275 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 16 September 2014.
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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 June 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
66 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Cumberland comparisons use the 13 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 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.
| Statement | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 71% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 20 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 9th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 44% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 51 parents who had raised a concern 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 51% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 64% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 23 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 91% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 45% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cumberland. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 70% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 7%). 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. Cumberland figures pool parents at the Cumberland 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
149 pupils in this year group.
33% — 4 points below the Cumberland average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 37% | 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. | 41.2 | 42.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.8 | 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.
184 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Cumberland average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 31% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 36% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 12% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 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
67 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 12% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 34% | 42% | 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. | 30.1 | 31.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 149 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 24 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Geography | 16 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 15 | 0% | 13% | 30% |
| English Language | 14 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 7% | 43% | 40% |
| Religious Studies | 13 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Biology | 12 | 0% | 33% | 27% |
| Government and Politics | 11 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design, English Literature, Computer Studies / Computing, Design and Technology (Product Design), 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.
74 students in this year group.
91% — 8 points above the Cumberland average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 83% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 30% | 19% | 7% |
| Work | 16% | 26% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 91% |
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.
69 students in this year group.
67% — 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 67% | – | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 14% | – | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 56% | 67% |
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 Cumberland. 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 | 191 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 187 |
| Of those, offered a place | 185 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 358 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.5% | 25.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 15th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.4% | 5.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.5% | 23.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 6.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 13th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 13th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 23% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 14.9%* | 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 Whitehaven Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Benedict's Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St Benedict's Catholic High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 September 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 June 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Benedict's Catholic High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Benedict's Catholic High School?
86% of the 66 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Benedict's Catholic High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Benedict's Catholic High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 187 families put St Benedict's Catholic High School as their first choice for 191 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 185 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 112398.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.