Is St James' Catholic High School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 28 April 2026 under its report-card framework and graded five areas at Expected standard and one at Strong standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 4th of 14 secondary schools in Stockport. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St James' Catholic High School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St James' Catholic High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 52.4 (England: 46.2). 51.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St James' Catholic High School?

Applications for Year 7 places at St James' Catholic High School starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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St James' Catholic High School

St James' Way, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6PZ

Local ranking4th of 14 secondary schools in Stockport

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

825

Capacity

11-16

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · Ofsted inspection 28 April 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 28 April 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 52.4 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 51.5% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 72.1% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 165

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 94.0%
Continued in education: 88.0%
Apprenticeships: 4.0%
Employment: 3.0%
Not sustained: 4.0%

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 824
Boys: 395 (48%)
Girls: 429 (52%)
Capacity: 825 (100% full)
SEND: 10.7%
FSM Eligible: 15.3%
EAL: 10.4%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.0%
SEN Support: 7.7%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 18.1:1
Teachers (FTE): 45.6
Budget per Pupil: £7,499/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 6.6% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 14.4% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Voluntary aided school
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 76.8%
White Other: 4.4%
Asian Indian: 2.7%
Asian Other: 2.2%
Black African: 2.1%
Asian Chinese: 2.0%
White Irish: 1.8%
Mixed Other: 1.8%

76.8%

White British

4.4%

White Other

2.7%

Asian Indian

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01614826900

headteacherpa@stjamescheadle.co.uk

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St James' Way

Cheadle, North West

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Administrative

URN: 106142
UKPRN: 10017641
Establishment No.: 4600

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