Is St Philip Howard Catholic School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 14 April 2026 under its report-card framework and graded six areas at Strong standard and one at Expected standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded B, 6th of 40 secondary schools in West Sussex. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St Philip Howard Catholic School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St Philip Howard Catholic School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 53 (England: 46.2). 55.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St Philip Howard Catholic School?

Applications for Year 7 places at St Philip Howard Catholic 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 Philip Howard Catholic School

Elm Grove South, Barnham, Bognor Regis, PO22 0EN

Local ranking6th of 40 secondary schools in West Sussex

Ofsted: StrongUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1033

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 14 April 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 14 April 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

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

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

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 53.0 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 55.7% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 78.4% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 185

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 96.0%
Continued in education: 93.0%
Apprenticeships: 3.0%
Employment: 1.0%
Not sustained: 3.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 93.0%
Higher education: 54.0%
Apprenticeships: 9.0%
Employment: 27.0%
Not sustained: 2.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

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

B-

Avg A-Level Grade

35.2

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

36.3

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

138

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 18.3% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 31.1
16-18 Cohort: 295

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1301
Boys: 687 (52%)
Girls: 635 (48%)
Capacity: 1033 (128% full)
SEND: 19.8%
FSM Eligible: 12.4%
EAL: 18.1%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.9%
SEN Support: 15.8%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 17.2:1
Teachers (FTE): 75.7
Budget per Pupil: £8,748/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

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

Overall Absence Rate: 6.9% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 16.6% 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: 66.5%
White Other: 14.6%
Asian Indian: 4.8%
Mixed White & Asian: 2.9%
Asian Other: 2.5%
Black African: 2.4%
Mixed Other: 1.7%
Asian Chinese: 1.2%

66.5%

White British

14.6%

White Other

4.8%

Asian Indian

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01243552055

office@sphcs.co.uk

Visit website

Elm Grove South

Bognor Regis, South East

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Administrative

URN: 144243
UKPRN: 10063488
Establishment No.: 4800
Trust: BOSCO CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

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