The Catholic High School, Chester, Chester
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
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This is a caring, inclusive school where pupils develop strong relationships with staff and feel genuinely supported. The school goes above and beyond to ensure all pupils - including those with special needs and disadvantaged pupils - can fully participate in activities and trips. Staff are well-trained and passionate about helping every pupil succeed, with particular strengths in literacy and helping pupils progress to their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Strong sense of community with warm staff-pupil relationships and a calm, orderly atmosphere
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils, including dedicated provisions like the resourced SEND provision and Trinity emotional support programme
- Ambitious curriculum that builds on prior learning, with strong literacy foundations and effective use of assessment to track pupil progress
- Low rates of bullying with staff responding quickly to concerns
- Almost all pupils progress successfully to education, employment or training
Areas for Improvement
- Learning not consistently adapted to meet the specific needs of some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
- Sixth form A-level results dipped below average in 2025, though leaders are taking action to improve
- Persistent absence among some disadvantaged pupils still needs to be reduced further
- Numeracy support across the school needs strengthening
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding where concerns are actively identified and managed, helping pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Debating, school trips, work experience, sports, charity events, student council, university project on artificial intelligence
The Catholic High School, Chester is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils thrive in a warm, friendly environment. Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum and are committed to ensuring all pupils, including those with additional needs, receive strong support and care.
At a Glance
23.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
19.5
Avg class size
39
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
71%
Available places
797 pupils
1,117 capacity
320 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Chester
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Chester
Admissions Demand - Cheshire West and Chester
Places available
4,161
Applications
3,615
Got 1st preference
95.0%
Got preferred school
99.4%
Secondary admissions across Cheshire West and Chester (2025/26)
Inspection History(5)
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
9.10176%
Overall absence
25.86466%
Persistent absence
665
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Catholic High School, Chester
Overleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Belgrave Primary School
Lache Primary School
St Clare's Catholic Primary School
The Grosvenor Park Church of England Academy
Huntington Community Primary School
Boughton Heath Academy
Chester Blue Coat Church of England Primary School
Cherry Grove Primary School
Eccleston CofE Primary School
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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