SchoolScoresSt Paul's Catholic College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of BOSCO CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Jane Murray Way, Burgess Hill, RH15 8GA
01444 873898 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 28 February 2023.
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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
181 pupils in this year group.
64% — 18 points above the West Sussex average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 64% | 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. | 55.5 | 46.2 | 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.
180 pupils in this year group.
98% — 4 points above the West Sussex average, and 6 points above 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. | 98% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 57% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 14% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 23% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 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
108 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 29% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 56% | 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. | 36.9 | 34.0 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
28 subjects, 272 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 27 | 15% | 22% | 27% |
| Psychology | 25 | 4% | 24% | 19% |
| Economics | 22 | 9% | 14% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 22 | 14% | 55% | 40% |
| Geography | 20 | 0% | 30% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 18 | 11% | 28% | 16% |
| Law | 17 | 6% | 24% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 16 | 13% | 38% | 30% |
| Physics | 13 | 8% | 15% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 0% | 9% | 24% |
| English Literature | 9 | 11% | 33% | 23% |
| Film Studies | 8 | 0% | 13% | 17% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | 38% | 63% | 17% |
| Sociology | 8 | 0% | 13% | 20% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 14% | 29% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), History, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further), Spanish, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, Art and Design (Fine Art), German, Media/Film/Tv Studies, French, 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.
98 students in this year group.
91% — 13 points above the West Sussex average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 78% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 31% | 38% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 91% |
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.
73% — 19 points above the West Sussex average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 73% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 25% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 69% | 73% |
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 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 | 173 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 268 |
| Of those, offered a place | 170 (63%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 657 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.5
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 39th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 19th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 15th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 91% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 29th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 33% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 12th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 13th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 58% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9% | 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
- The Burgess Hill Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2024 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burgess Hill Girls 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 52% A*/A at A level
- Hurstpierpoint College 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 60% A*/A at A level
- Warden Park Secondary Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 2 expected · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Paul's Catholic College's Ofsted rating?
St Paul's Catholic College was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 February 2023.
How did St Paul's Catholic College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 64% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Paul's Catholic College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 268 families put St Paul's Catholic College as their first choice for 173 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 170 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 148753.
- 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.