St Peter's Catholic School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form

Part of XAVIER CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

Horseshoe Lane East, Merrow, Guildford, GU1 2TN

01483 534654 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 15 May 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths77%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 94% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,360Room for 1,050 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,198 in 2019, 1,291 in 2021, 1,308 in 2022, 1,329 in 2023, 1,349 in 2024, 1,347 in 2025, 1,360 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.3260 for 206 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 85% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 15 May 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

320 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Guildford comparisons use the 3 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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.

StatementThis schoolGuildfordEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93% 92% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 94% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 94% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 100 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 82% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61% 62% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 246 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 90% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 86% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Guildford.
Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93%said yes 93% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Guildford figures pool parents at the Guildford 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

212 pupils in this year group.

77% — 22 points above the Surrey average, and 32 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSurreyEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 77% 55% 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. 63.6 50.8 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.5 4.5 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 77%This school 2023/24: 75%This school 2024/25: 77% This school England 45% 2022/23 77% 2023/24 75% 2024/25 77%

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.

208 pupils in this year group.

98% — 4 points above the Surrey average, and 6 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSurreyEngland
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 68% 29% 34%
Sixth form college 18% 32% 13%
Further education college 10% 26% 37%
Apprenticeship 0% 2% 3%
Work Not published 2% 3%

"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
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

152 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSurreyEngland
Average A level grade B+ B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 48% 30% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 72% 59% 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. 42.8 37.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 50 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 42.0This school 2023/24: 41.7This school 2024/25: 42.8 This school England 35 2022/23 42.0 2023/24 41.7 2024/25 42.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

27 subjects, 452 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 55 44% 82% 40%
Psychology 40 10% 35% 19%
Economics 35 29% 60% 26%
Business Studies:Single 32 9% 31% 16%
Chemistry 32 19% 47% 30%
Biology 30 30% 73% 27%
History 29 3% 31% 23%
Physics 21 33% 67% 31%
Mathematics (Further) 19 47% 74% 59%
English Literature 15 20% 33% 23%
Sociology 15 7% 7% 20%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 14 57% 79% 38%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 14 0% 14% 14%
Geography 13 8% 15% 23%
Religious Studies 13 31% 54% 22%
Computer Studies / Computing 12 0% 33% 24%
English Language 11 0% 0% 13%
French 10 10% 30% 38%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 9 11% 22% 15%
Classical Civilisation 8 13% 50% 23%
Drama and Theatre Studies 8 38% 50% 19%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 33% 50% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Music, Polish, Art and Design (Textiles), Japanese.

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.

133 students in this year group.

88% — 6 points above the Surrey average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSurreyEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 88% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 5% 7%
Work 24% 32% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%88%

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.

120 students in this year group.

88% — 23 points above the Surrey average, and 28 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSurreyEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 88% 65% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 50% 24% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
84%88%

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 Surrey. 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 offered206
Families who put it first260
Of those, offered a place195 (75%)
Families who listed it at all713

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.3

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Surrey

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolSurreyEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.6% 15.3%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.1% 3.6%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.0% 13.5%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 12.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Lower than 96% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.6% 7.3%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Lower than 96% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.6% 18.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.3 14.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.8% 5.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.07% 0.15% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.9 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.2 12.2 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Guildford.
Higher than 28% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
10.0% 14.7%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is St Peter's Catholic School's Ofsted rating?

St Peter's Catholic School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 May 2024.

How did St Peter's Catholic School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 77% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 32 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend St Peter's Catholic School?

93% of the 320 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Peter's Catholic School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is St Peter's Catholic School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 260 families put St Peter's Catholic School as their first choice for 206 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications 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

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Page updated 26 September 2026.