Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Leeds

In its own words: "Welcome to our school community. Whether you are already a member of the Cardinal Heenan family, considering joining us as a student, a prospective parent or would like to work here, we hope that you will sense the warmth of our vibrant community."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include badminton, choir and chess.

In 2026, pupils at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 55.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.7 in Leeds and 47 across England.

72% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in Leeds and 47% in England.

That is down from 58 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.66: pupils made well above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 46.2, against 58.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 249 families put Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School as their first choice and 717 named it as one of their preferences, for 179 places offered. That is 1.4 first choices for every place. 73 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School are Carr Manor Community School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.1); Allerton High School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 60.2); Leeds Jewish Free School (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.6); and Lawnswood School (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.3).

Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Of the 179 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 18% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

In 2026, 120 pupils (13.1%) received SEN support and 14 (1.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Burley Park Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cardinal Heenan Turning Circle, 40 metres away.

In 2024/25, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School issued 79 suspensions, 8.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School are St Urban's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.1 miles); Manor Wood Primary School (0.4 miles); Meanwood Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles); and Alwoodley Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.