SchoolScoresSt Wilfrid's RC College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of BISHOP CHADWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Temple Park Road, South Shields, NE34 0QA
0191 456 9121 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 8 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
255 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
| Statement | This school | South Shields | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 11% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 74% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 74% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 6% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 41% | 60% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 121 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 43% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 232 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 14% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 61% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 71 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Tyneside. Higher than 28% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49%said yes | 66% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 19%). 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. South Shields figures pool parents at the South Shields 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
232 pupils in this year group.
50% — 12 points above the South Tyneside average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 39% | 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. | 48.2 | 42.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 3.7 | 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.
213 pupils in this year group.
93% — 3 points above the South Tyneside average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 40% | 27% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 52% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 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
69 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 13% | 14% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 45% | 42% | 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. | 32.1 | 30.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 175 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 26 | 4% | 15% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 25 | 4% | 12% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 16 | 0% | 13% | 30% |
| Geography | 15 | 7% | 13% | 23% |
| Psychology | 15 | 7% | 13% | 19% |
| Physics | 9 | 22% | 33% | 31% |
| Sociology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| English Language | 8 | 0% | 13% | 13% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| History | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Business Studies:Single, Computer Studies / Computing, Film Studies, Law, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Fine Art), Religious Studies, French, Music, Art and Design (Photography), Government and Politics.
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.
66 students in this year group.
89% — 16 points above the South Tyneside average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | 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% | 73% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 11% | 16% | 7% |
| Work | 14% | 20% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 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.
66 students in this year group.
64% — 21 points above the South Tyneside average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 64% | 43% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 32% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 81% | 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 South Tyneside. 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 | 127 |
| Of those, offered a place | 127 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 291 |
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
| Pupils | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.0% | 36.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 18.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 6.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 26% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8% | 10.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.5% | 27.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 29.5 | 23.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 26% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 8.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 0.75% | 0.65% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 8% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 10.7%* | 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
- Mortimer Community College 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harton Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Boldon School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jarrow School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Norham High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Whitburn CofE Academy 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Wilfrid's RC College's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 8 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Wilfrid's RC College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Wilfrid's RC College?
49% of the 255 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Wilfrid's RC College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Wilfrid's RC College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 127 families put St Wilfrid's RC College as their first choice for 182 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 127 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 142601.
- 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, 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.