St Bernard's Catholic High School, Rotherham

In its own words: "At St Bernard’s we believe that all persons are created by God, unique and equal. We strive to create a caring Christian community in which we provide education based on Gospel values where all people reach their full potential. We aim to develop positive relationships with every individual and family, the parishes and wider community."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am extremely proud to be the Headteacher of this school and part of the outstanding Catholic community that we have here at St Bernard’s. As a Catholic school, our aim is to ensure that our faith is at the heart of everything that we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include film, Duke of Edinburgh and cheerleading.

In 2026, pupils at St Bernard's Catholic High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.9 in Rotherham and 47 across England.

51% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 41% in Rotherham and 47% in England.

That is up from 48.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.32: pupils made 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 39.9, against 53.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 254 families put St Bernard's Catholic High School as their first choice and 424 named it as one of their preferences, for 146 places offered. That is 1.7 first choices for every place. 108 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to St Bernard's Catholic High School are Clifton Community School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 37); Oakwood High School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47); Wickersley School and Sports College (2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.8); and Thrybergh Academy (2.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 34.6).

St Bernard's Catholic High School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

St Bernard's Catholic High School is one of 15 schools run by St Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 151 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 31% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Parkgate, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Herringthorpe Valley Road/Herringthorpe Close (at), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Bernard's Catholic High School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 293 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Rotherham (146), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Bernard's Catholic High School issued 124 suspensions, 15.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to St Bernard's Catholic High School are Herringthorpe Junior School (0.3 miles), Herringthorpe Infant School (0.3 miles), St Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles) and Badsley Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.