SchoolScoresThe Academy of St Francis of Assisi
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England/Roman Catholic
Part of THE LIVERPOOL JOINT CATHOLIC AND CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMIES TRUST
Gardners Drive, Kensington, Liverpool, L6 7UR
0151 260 7600 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 24 April 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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
61 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Liverpool comparisons use the 19 of its 46 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 27 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 | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 26 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 4th highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 62% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 42% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 46 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 63% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77%said yes | 72% | 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. Liverpool figures pool parents at the Liverpool 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
164 pupils in this year group.
23% — 15 points below the Liverpool average, and 22 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 23% | 38% | 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. | 35.8 | 42.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 3.6 | 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.
170 pupils in this year group.
79% — 9 points below the Liverpool average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 79% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 46% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 12% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 30% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 78% | 79% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 Liverpool. 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 | 169 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 98 |
| Of those, offered a place | 98 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 255 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.6
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 Church of England/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 | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 62.7% | 38.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.2% | 18.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 26th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 14% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 22nd lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.1% | 26.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 39th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 64.7 | 32.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 39th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.45% | 0.51% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 27th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 44th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 88% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 23.5% | 13.6%* | 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
- West Derby School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Christian Fellowship School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- North Liverpool Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's Leadership Academy Wavertree 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Archbishop Blanch CofE High School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2020, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holly Lodge Girls' College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- University of Liverpool Mathematics School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · A- average A level grade
- St Edward's College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Notre Dame Catholic Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- LIPA Sixth Form College 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Academy of St Francis of Assisi's Ofsted rating?
The Academy of St Francis of Assisi was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 April 2024.
How did The Academy of St Francis of Assisi do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 22 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Academy of St Francis of Assisi?
77% of the 61 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Academy of St Francis of Assisi to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Academy of St Francis of Assisi oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 98 families put The Academy of St Francis of Assisi as their first choice for 169 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 98 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 144493.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.