SchoolScoresSt John Fisher Catholic Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of THE BISHOP WHEELER CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Hookstone Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8PT
01423 887254 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 December 2022.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| 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
210 pupils in this year group.
62% — 15 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 62% | 47% | 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. | 55.1 | 46.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.1 | 4.1 | 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.
207 pupils in this year group.
98% — 4 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 65% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 24% | 35% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 98% |
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
459 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 30% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 56% | 56% | 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. | 36.3 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
37 subjects, 1,278 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 120 | 6% | 16% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 117 | 12% | 44% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 103 | 14% | 41% | 30% |
| Biology | 96 | 14% | 38% | 27% |
| Physics | 69 | 9% | 25% | 31% |
| Economics | 68 | 6% | 19% | 26% |
| Sociology | 67 | 1% | 15% | 20% |
| Geography | 66 | 14% | 26% | 23% |
| History | 66 | 3% | 42% | 23% |
| English Literature | 58 | 12% | 24% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 54 | 0% | 13% | 16% |
| Government and Politics | 47 | 11% | 34% | 26% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 38 | 3% | 16% | 14% |
| Religious Studies | 34 | 12% | 35% | 22% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 28 | 0% | 25% | 17% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 26 | 23% | 46% | 38% |
| English Language | 22 | 0% | 18% | 13% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 21 | 5% | 5% | 15% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 17 | 18% | 41% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) | 16 | 0% | 25% | 19% |
| French | 16 | 38% | 81% | 38% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 16 | 25% | 56% | 59% |
| Ancient History | 15 | 7% | 33% | 16% |
| English Language and Literature | 14 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| Dance | 13 | 23% | 46% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 9% | 36% | 26% |
| Music Technology | 11 | 9% | 18% | 15% |
| Spanish | 11 | 9% | 36% | 34% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 10 | 10% | 30% | 19% |
| Music | 9 | 11% | 33% | 29% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 32% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: German, Russian, Arabic, Italian, Modern Greek, Polish.
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.
496 students in this year group.
89% — 4 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 85% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 31% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 89% |
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.
502 students in this year group.
76% — 11 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 76% | 65% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 38% | 29% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 76% | 76% |
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 North Yorkshire. 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 | 182 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 130 |
| Of those, offered a place | 130 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 586 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
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 a SEN unit with 50 places for visual impairment; Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 18.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.1% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 5.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Lower than 56% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9 | 26.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Harrogate. Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 14.6%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- St Aidan's CofE High School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harrogate High School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harrogate Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rossett School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashville College 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 38% A*/A at A level
- Duchy College 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 26% A*/A at A level
- King James's School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2023 · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John Fisher Catholic Academy's Ofsted rating?
St John Fisher Catholic Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 December 2022.
How did St John Fisher Catholic Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St John Fisher Catholic Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 130 families put St John Fisher Catholic Academy as their first choice for 182 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 130 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 148855.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.