SchoolScoresSt James' Catholic High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
St James' Way, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6PZ
0161 482 6900 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 28 April 2026 , published 21 June 2026.
In short: 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
165 pupils in this year group.
46% — 3 points below the Stockport average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 46% | 49% | 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. | 51.1 | 47.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 4.3 | 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.
156 pupils in this year group.
95% — 4 points above the Stockport average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 6% | 8% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 62% | 41% | 13% |
| Further education college | 21% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 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 Stockport. 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 | 155 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 165 |
| Of those, offered a place | 133 (81%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 663 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 24.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 16.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Lower than 79% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Lower than 87% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 22.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1 | 20.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.36% | 0.38% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Cheadle (Stockport). Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 12.7%* | 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
- Cheadle Hulme High School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 75% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cheadle Hulme School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 41% A*/A at A level
- North West Hospital School 1.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Laurus Cheadle Hulme 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bramhall High School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Kingsway School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hazel Grove High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stockport Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wilmslow High School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James' Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St James' Catholic High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 28 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did St James' Catholic High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is St James' Catholic High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 165 families put St James' Catholic High School as their first choice for 155 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 133 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 106142.
- 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.