SchoolScoresSt Boniface's RC College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Boys only · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
21 Boniface Lane, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL5 3AG
01752 779051 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
54 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Plymouth comparisons use the 9 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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 | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 76% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 67% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 82% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 43% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 48 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 96% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 61% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 20 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 93% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 74% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 69% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). 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. Plymouth figures pool parents at the Plymouth 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
76 pupils in this year group.
25% — 21 points below the Plymouth average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 25% | 46% | 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. | 39 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
63 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the Plymouth average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 17% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 1% | 13% |
| Further education college | 54% | 37% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 16% | 9% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 89% |
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 Plymouth. 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 | 61 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 60 |
| Of those, offered a place | 60 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 143 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.4% | 27.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 9.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 9.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.3% | 27.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7 | 28.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 8.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.77% | 0.27% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 92% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 56% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5% | 10.4%* | 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
- Eggbuckland Community College 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- All Saints CofE Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir John Hunt Community Sports College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Devonport High School for Girls 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Notre Dame RC School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: safeguarding not met; 6 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Plymouth College 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 35% A*/A at A level
- Tor Bridge High 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Marine Academy Plymouth 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lipson Co-operative Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Plymouth High School for Girls 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Boniface's RC College's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Boniface's RC College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 25% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Boniface's RC College?
89% of the 54 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Boniface's RC College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Boniface's RC College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 60 families put St Boniface's RC College as their first choice for 61 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 60 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 140693.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.