SchoolScoresSt Oscar Romero Catholic School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Goring Street, Goring-By-Sea, Worthing, BN12 5AF
01903 241368 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 29 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
337 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Worthing comparisons use the 4 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 | Worthing | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 87% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 97% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 109 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 86% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 239 parents who had raised a concern Joint 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 73% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 78% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 100 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 80% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 31%). 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. Worthing figures pool parents at the Worthing 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
195 pupils in this year group.
60% — 14 points above the West Sussex average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 60% | 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. | 55.1 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 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.
147 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 18% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 66% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 93% |
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
1 A level student in this year group.
Only 1 pupil took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | Not published | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 0% | 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. | Not published | 34.0 | 35 |
"Not published": Not published: too few pupils, so individual pupils could be identified.
A level subjects, 2024/25
2 subjects, 2 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Biology, Chemistry.
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.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Sussex. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 172 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 289 |
| Of those, offered a place | 169 (58%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 681 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.7
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
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.1 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 0.7% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 2% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 12.0%* | 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
- Durrington High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Angmering School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Worthing High School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Our Lady of Sion School 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 16% A*/A at A level
- Bohunt School Worthing 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing 2.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Educate U 2.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- St Andrew's CofE High School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Oscar Romero Catholic School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 29 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Oscar Romero Catholic School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 60% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Oscar Romero Catholic School?
89% of the 337 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Oscar Romero Catholic School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Oscar Romero Catholic School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 289 families put St Oscar Romero Catholic School as their first choice for 172 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 169 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 126096.
- 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, A levels 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.