St Mary's Catholic High School: A Catholic Academy with Outstanding Academic Excellence

Where the Church of the Annunciation met education, a school was born. In 1856, just two years after the Jesuits completed their brick church in the heart of Chesterfield, pupils began their studies in a small Catholic school tethered to that sacred space. Today, nearly 170 years later, St Mary's occupies a purpose-built campus opened in 1982, sits on expansive playing fields, and educates around 1,350 students aged 11-18 across its gates. The school was judged Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in June 2024, just twelve years after its previous Outstanding rating in 2012, demonstrating sustained excellence. The school ranks 909th in England for GCSE results, placing it in the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), while its A-level results rank 493rd nationally, equally strong and placing it in the top tier of comprehensive secondary schools.

The Catholic ethos threads through everything here. Walk across campus and you notice the six named houses (Alpha, Omega, Pax, Chi Rho, Ichthus, Pneuma) that compete in inter-house events, each symbol drawn from Christian tradition. The Drama Hall, one of the original Phase 1 buildings from 1980, sits next to newer facilities added throughout the decades: the Music Block (1996), the £1.6 million Sports Hall (2004), and the distinctive Bridge connecting the Sixth Form block (1984). Over 170 musicians performed in the Festival of Readings and Music, an annual tradition that marks the season, drawing inspectors' praise for the innovation of the Inauro programme.

Inauro is the school's signature personal development scheme, running from Year 7 through to Year 13. Far more than pastoral care, it aims to equip pupils with everything needed to be responsible, respectful, and active citizens. Inspectors judged this innovation exceptional, noting that the school's culture of inclusivity sits at the heart of everything. Former deputy head teacher Susan Cain was awarded the Benemerenti medal by the Pope upon retirement in 2020 after 35 years of service, a testament to the school's Catholic commitment.

Mrs Maria Dengate became headteacher in 2017, succeeding Sean McClafferty. Deputy head Alexander Breedon leads the wider leadership team. Parents consistently speak of feeling lucky to send their children here, and staff describe a culture where young people genuinely thrive both academically and socially. The atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured, ambitious without dismissing pastoral care.

GCSE Performance

Across all 2024 GCSE entries, 56% of grades achieved the top three bands (A* to A equivalent), well above the England average of 54%. The average Attainment 8 score stood at 56.6, indicating consistently strong results across the full range of subjects. At higher standard, pupils achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.5, showing that students make above-average progress from their starting points — a crucial indicator of school effectiveness beyond raw grades alone.

The school ranks 909th in England and 1st in Chesterfield (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools nationwide. Strength in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects — which combine English, maths, sciences, languages, and humanities — shows that nearly 29% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above across this combined measure. This breadth matters; the school does not achieve results by narrowing options but by maintaining a comprehensive, ambitious curriculum.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form delivers equally impressive outcomes. In 2024, 65% of A-level grades achieved the top three bands (A* to B), and 13% reached A* alone. The school ranks 493rd in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top tier of sixth form provision nationally. These results are even more noteworthy given that the school accepts all Catholic applicants regardless of academic ability; the progress students make reflects excellent teaching and support rather than cream-skimming.

Classrooms are described by inspectors as busy and purposeful learning spaces where pupils receive consistently high-quality teaching that stimulates interest and engagement. Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and use this to design lessons that ignite curiosity. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, spanning drama, citizenship, and three modern foreign languages (French, German, Spanish), plus specialist teaching in mathematics and history — both areas of particular strength at the school.

The school was historically designated a Language College and retains that distinction in its ethos and subject offering. Pupils undertake language trips to France, Germany, and Spain, while Sixth Form students participate in the Hallam youth pilgrimage to Lourdes each June. These experiences embed language learning in real cultural context rather than purely academic study.

Specialist staff teach across all subjects, and challenge is particularly high in academic subjects. The school implements the Inauro framework throughout the curriculum, meaning personal and character development is woven into lessons, not bolted on as an extra. Inspectors found that pupils benefit from being taught by specialists with consistently strong subject knowledge, and that teachers use this expertise to design lessons that ignite curiosity.

In the 2023-24 cohort of leavers, 61% progressed to university, with a further 10% starting apprenticeships and 16% entering employment. These figures speak to pathways well-prepared by the school's careers and guidance programme, reflected in the Ofsted praise that students receive expert guidance about their next steps towards higher education and non-university pathways. One Oxbridge place was secured in 2024, and with 21 total applications to Oxford and Cambridge, the school sends students to England's top universities at rates proportionate to its non-selective intake.

The sixth form is described as well-integrated into school life, with sixth-form students serving as exceptionally positive role models for younger pupils. Inspectors praised the sixth form provision as Outstanding, noting that attainment is excellent and destinations at 18 are above average when adjusted for intake. This matters; a school that takes all comers and sends significant proportions to university is demonstrating genuine value-add.

This is the review's longest section, reflecting the school's genuine breadth of opportunity. Over 170 musicians participated in the annual Festival of Readings and Music, all soloists and ensembles of superb quality. The Music Block, built in 1996, houses multiple rehearsal spaces and provides the infrastructure for this vibrant provision. A full orchestra, chapel choir, and smaller ensembles operate throughout the year, with music concerts taking place regularly alongside drama productions.

Drama thrives in the Drama Hall, one of the original campus buildings, though its modest size has prompted extension plans over the years. The school produces multiple dramatic productions annually, ranging from classical pieces to contemporary work, with student casts often reaching 40-60 participants per production.

Sports facilities include the floodlit all-weather astro-turf pitch (built 2002) with football and hockey, the £1.6 million Sports Hall (completed 2004), and expansive playing fields. The school hosts Chesterfield Hockey Club fixtures and maintains competitive teams across football, hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, and tennis. Inter-house competitions drive participation at grassroots level, and elite pathways exist for those with serious sporting talent.

Beyond these major pillars, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme runs to Gold level, with multiple students completing awards annually. The Inauro School Parliament gives students genuine voice in school governance, while the Aspire programme provides targeted support for disadvantaged pupils. A comprehensive careers education and information programme (CEIAG) runs throughout, with dedicated post-16 and post-18 guidance. The school offers extensive enrichment, with trips to the Hayes Conference Centre and Hartington for retreats, and visits integrated across the curriculum.

Named clubs and societies ensure choice for every interest. While the school website emphasizes breadth rather than listing every club individually, students have access to subject-based clubs, interest societies, and pastoral initiatives spanning the full spectrum of secondary school extracurricular life.

The school has no formal geographical catchment area. Catholic applicants are generally accepted regardless of academic ability, a commitment to inclusive Catholic education. Applications are coordinated through the local authority for Year 7 entry, and the school is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received approximately 494 applications for 206 places, a ratio of 2.4:1, indicating fierce competition despite the non-selective admissions policy.

The sixth form operates its own admissions process, with entry requirements based on GCSE attainment (typically grades 4-5 across core subjects) and subject-specific prerequisites for A-level study. Online applications for sixth form entry can be made through the school website.

The pastoral care structure is exceptional and was specifically praised by Ofsted. Each student has a form tutor in a group of 6-8, providing consistent adult oversight. The Inauro programme provides structured personal development throughout Years 7-13, addressing everything from personal finance to relationship health, aspiration building, and character formation rooted in Catholic values. A trained counsellor visits weekly, and the school is uncompromising in its commitment to supporting pupils with SEND while promoting their increasing independence and self-confidence.

Parents report that staff go above and beyond to provide help and support, including in the sixth form. The school's approach to wellbeing is evidence-based, with robust safeguarding arrangements and a genuine culture of care underpinned by high expectations.

The school operates on a traditional school day basis (start and finish times available on the school website). The campus is situated on Newbold Road in Upper Newbold, about two miles from Chesterfield town centre. Public transport links are available via local bus services, and the campus includes parking for families. The floodlit facilities enable evening use for sports fixtures and community partnerships.

Oversubscription and admissions pressure. With 2.4 applications for every place, securing entry is highly competitive. While the school remains non-selective for Catholic applicants, the sheer demand means many families will not secure their preferred choice. Parents seeking entry should apply early in the admissions cycle and have alternative schools in mind.

Non-selective intake with high attainment. St Mary's takes all Catholic applicants regardless of academic ability, yet achieves top-25% results nationally. This is a strength for families valuing genuinely inclusive Catholic education, but does create a wide range of ability within year groups. Teaching is differentiated to manage this, but students working significantly below age-related expectations will receive support but not fully individual programmes.

Roman Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, regular Masses, explicit religious teaching throughout the curriculum, and Catholic values embedded in behaviour policy mean the faith dimension is not optional. Families uncomfortable with this should look elsewhere, though the school does welcome pupils of other faiths or none.

Jesuit heritage and maths/history specialisms. While the school teaches a full curriculum, it specializes in mathematics and history. Families drawn to classical languages or unusual subjects may find more limited choice than at other comprehensives.

St Mary's is a genuinely Outstanding school that has sustained excellence over a decade-plus period. The combination of inclusive Catholic education, specialist staff, broad extracurricular provision, and authentic whole-school culture means that pupils flourish both academically and socially. The school's commitment to personal development through Inauro, paired with uncompromising academic standards, makes it a powerful offering for families who value that integration.

The main obstacles to entry are oversubscription and the religious character; for Catholic families within reach of the school, or families wanting genuinely inclusive but ambitious education rooted in values, St Mary's deserves serious consideration. Best suited to families seeking academic strength paired with Catholic formation, who are comfortable with a large, busy school community, and who can navigate the competitive admissions process.