Is St Mary's Catholic Academy a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 16 June 2026 under its report-card framework and graded six areas at Expected standard and one at Needs attention. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded D, 2nd of 8 secondary schools in Blackpool. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St Mary's Catholic Academy's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St Mary's Catholic Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.2 (England: 46.2). 39.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St Mary's Catholic Academy?

Applications for Year 7 places at St Mary's Catholic Academy 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 Mary's Catholic Academy

St Walburga's Road, Blackpool, FY3 7EQ

Local ranking2nd of 8 secondary schools in Blackpool

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1199

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 16 June 2026. Figures last updated 20 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 16 June 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Needs attention
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Expected standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard
Post-16 provision: Expected standard

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

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 44.2 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 39.4% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 60.6% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 203

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 92.0%
Continued in education: 82.0%
Apprenticeships: 7.0%
Employment: 4.0%
Not sustained: 5.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 92.0%
Higher education: 64.0%
Apprenticeships: 1.0%
Employment: 25.0%
Not sustained: 7.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

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

Avg A-Level Grade

31.2

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

35.0

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 19.4% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 29.6
16-18 Cohort: 119

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1184
Boys: 581 (49%)
Girls: 607 (51%)
Capacity: 1199 (99% full)
SEND: 13.8%
FSM Eligible: 37.1%
EAL: 28.1%
SEN with EHC Plan: 1.8%
SEN Support: 12.0%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 14.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 82.8
Budget per Pupil: £8,316/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

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

Overall Absence Rate: 7.9% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 22.5% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 63.5%
White Other: 15.9%
Asian Indian: 8.1%
Asian Other: 5.7%
Mixed White & Asian: 1.4%
Black African: 1.2%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.8%
Mixed Other: 0.7%

63.5%

White British

15.9%

White Other

8.1%

Asian Indian

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01253396286

admin@st-mary.blackpool.sch.uk

Visit website

St Walburga's Road

Blackpool, North West

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Administrative

URN: 141257
UKPRN: 10047144
Establishment No.: 4601
Trust: THE BLESSED EDWARD BAMBER CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

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