The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School, London
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This school excels at nurturing the whole child - academically, personally and spiritually. Every pupil feels genuinely cared for and supported, from disadvantaged students who often achieve above the national average for non-disadvantaged peers, to girls joining the sixth form who feel fully included. The school's commitment to removing barriers means all pupils can access extraordinary opportunities, from prestigious international trips to specialist clubs and activities that develop their talents.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional academic achievement with GCSE attainment well above national averages and no significant variation between subjects
- Exemplary behaviour and attendance with pupils showing high levels of self-discipline and commitment to learning
- Outstanding personal development programme with extensive musical, sporting, cultural and international enrichment opportunities
- Highly effective leadership that prioritises staff wellbeing and continuous improvement
- Exceptional support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, removing barriers to learning
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers' checking of pupils' understanding is inconsistent across some subjects
- Greater precision needed in aligning teacher adaptations to individual pupil needs in SEND support
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all legal requirements are fulfilled, making pupils safer and helping them feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Bell hooks book club, translation bee, philosophy club, musical performances at prestigious venues, extensive sporting programme, international visits to Iceland, Dubai and Tokyo, charity work, cultural visits including to the Grand Mosque in Dubai
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School is an exceptional Catholic secondary school in London where pupils achieve remarkably well across a wide range of subjects, with attainment consistently well above national averages. The school creates a caring, inclusive environment where all pupils, including disadvantaged students and those with SEND, thrive academically and personally.
At a Glance
18.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
19.3
Avg class size
47
Total classes
5 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
112%
Over capacity
1,034 pupils
922 capacity
112 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for London
Admissions Demand - Kensington and Chelsea
Places available
1,045
Applications
622
Got 1st preference
66.7%
Got preferred school
92.3%
Secondary admissions across Kensington and Chelsea (2025/26)
Inspection History(104)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.3004%
Overall absence
11.64596%
Persistent absence
644
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School
Norland Place School
St Clement and St James CofE Primary School
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Addison Primary School
Avondale Park Primary School
The Stewart Bilingual School
Kensington Primary Academy
Ecole Fran�aise de Londres Jacques Pr�vert
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
St James Preparatory School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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