SchoolScoresSt Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Woolton Hill Road, Woolton, Liverpool, L25 6EG
0151 288 1000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 12 October 2021. 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
177 pupils in this year group.
32% — 7 points below the Liverpool average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 38% | 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. | 36.7 | 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.
178 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138463), before it changed to its current form.
89% — 2 points below the Liverpool average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 91% | 93% |
| School sixth form | 46% | 50% | 36% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 31% | 27% | 35% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
30 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 21% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 43% | 52% | 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. | 32.8 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
14 subjects, 75 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 12 | 8% | 17% | 16% |
| Geography | 9 | 11% | 33% | 23% |
| History | 9 | 11% | 22% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 26% |
| Economics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 6 | 17% | 33% | 40% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Computer Studies / Computing, Physics, Design and Technology (Product Design), Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Spanish.
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.
64 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138463), before it changed to its current form.
88% — 8 points above the Liverpool average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 80% | 80% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 22% | 22% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2023/24 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.
61 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138463), before it changed to its current form.
74% — 4 points above the Liverpool average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 74% | 70% | 66% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 18% | 26% | 24% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2023/24 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 Liverpool. 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 | 165 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 68 |
| Of those, offered a place | 68 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 299 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.4 · 2025: 0.5 · 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 | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 26th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.5% | 38.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 36th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 26th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 18.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 28th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 14% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 27th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.7% | 26.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 37th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 52.1 | 32.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 37th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded15 pupils | 1.46% | 0.51% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 9th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 63% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 15th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 17th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 66% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 13.6%* | 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
- Calderstones School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Julie's Catholic High School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Gateacre School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- King David High School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Childwall Sports and Science Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Blue Coat School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Liverpool College 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Academy of St Nicholas 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Prudentia Education 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- ES Independent School 2.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 October 2021.
How did St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 32% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 68 families put St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy as their first choice for 165 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 68 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 150713.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2023/24, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2023/24, Going on to university 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.