SchoolScoresThe Academy of St Nicholas
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Roman Catholic/Church of England · Sixth form
Part of THE LIVERPOOL JOINT CATHOLIC AND CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMIES TRUST
51 Horrocks Avenue, Garston, Liverpool, L19 5NY
0151 230 2570 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2022.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| 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
129 pupils in this year group.
20% — 18 points below the Liverpool average, and 25 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 20% | 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. | 29.4 | 42.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.4 | 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.
102 pupils in this year group.
82% — 6 points below the Liverpool average, and 10 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. | 82% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 43% | 46% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 32% | 30% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 82% |
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
52 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 21% | 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. | 19.3 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 109 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 15 | 0% | 7% | 19% |
| Religious Studies | 14 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Arabic | 11 | 0% | 18% | – |
| Biology | 11 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 11 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 9 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 0% | 38% | 38% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| English Language and Literature | 6 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History, Italian, Physics, Polish, Russian, Spanish.
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.
75 students in this year group.
73% — 6 points below the Liverpool average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 73% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 19% | 22% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 78% | 73% |
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.
75 students in this year group.
60% — 6 points below the Liverpool average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 60% | 66% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 11% | 19% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 61% | 60% |
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 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 | 163 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 74 |
| Of those, offered a place | 74 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 152 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.3 · 2025: 0.3 · 2026: 0.5
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/Church of England 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 7th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 57.4% | 38.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 21st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.8% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.3% | 18.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 30th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 36th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.6% | 26.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 40th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 65.7 | 32.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 40th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.43% | 0.51% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 29th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 29th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 90% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 24.2% | 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
- ES Independent School 0.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Prudentia Education 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- St Julie's Catholic High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Margaret's CofE Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Calderstones School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Halewood Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Liverpool College 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- Gateacre School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- The Blue Coat School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Academy of St Nicholas's Ofsted rating?
The Academy of St Nicholas was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2022.
How did The Academy of St Nicholas do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 20% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 25 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Academy of St Nicholas oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 74 families put The Academy of St Nicholas as their first choice for 163 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 74 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 136119.
- 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.