SchoolScoresSt John Plessington Catholic College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 7LF
0151 645 5049 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 November 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 | Requires improvement |
| 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
267 pupils in this year group.
29% — 16 points below the Wirral average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 29% | 44% | 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. | 37.2 | 45.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 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.
261 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Wirral average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | 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 | 36% | 38% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 10% | 19% | 13% |
| Further education college | 34% | 25% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 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
73 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 27% | 54% | 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. | 27.2 | 35.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
14 subjects, 150 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 25 | 0% | 4% | 19% |
| Sociology | 20 | 0% | 15% | 20% |
| English Language and Literature | 16 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| History | 16 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 7% | 14% | 40% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 9 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| English Literature | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Geography | 7 | 14% | 29% | 23% |
| Physics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 31% |
| Religious Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology).
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.
132 students in this year group.
89% — 10 points above the Wirral average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | 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% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 11% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 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.
135 students in this year group.
64% — about the same as the Wirral average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 64% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 9% | 23% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 67% | 64% |
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 Wirral. 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 | 207 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 195 |
| Of those, offered a place | 195 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 460 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 resourced provision with 24 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.6% | 31.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 15.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.2% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9 | 12.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 21% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 51% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 12.5%* | 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
- Co-op Academy Bebington 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wirral Grammar School for Girls 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wirral Grammar School for Boys 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 91% grade 5+ English and maths
- Prenton High School for Girls 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2022 · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Progress Schools - Hamilton Square 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Progress Schools - Wirral 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- King's Leadership Academy, Liverpool 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Birkenhead Park School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Birkenhead School 2.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 28% A*/A at A level
- Birkenhead High School Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John Plessington Catholic College's Ofsted rating?
St John Plessington Catholic College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 November 2022.
How did St John Plessington Catholic College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St John Plessington Catholic College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 195 families put St John Plessington Catholic College as their first choice for 207 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 195 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 139031.
- 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.