Since 1953, St Wilfrid's has served Catholic families across Crawley and the surrounding West Sussex communities. The school occupies a modern campus rebuilt in 2008, combining purpose-built facilities with a strong faith ethos rooted in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. With approximately 1,200 students from Year 7 to Year 13, this voluntary aided comprehensive offers both GCSE and A-level pathways alongside vocational qualifications. The school's Catholic character permeates daily life, from morning prayer to its six house system named after Catholic saints. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023, St Wilfrid's draws families from Crawley, Horsham, East Grinstead, and the surrounding villages seeking a values-driven education.
The modern buildings that opened in 2008 replaced the original structures dating back to the school's founding, when the Diocese purchased an old manor house in 1952 to provide Catholic secondary education for Crawley New Town. Today, purpose-built facilities create a contemporary learning environment, though the Catholic identity remains firmly at the centre of school life.
The school operates under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, conducting itself in accordance with canon law and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Daily routines include prayer and reflection, while the chaplaincy provides spiritual support throughout the year. The atmosphere aims to be purposeful, accepting, and caring, allowing students to develop intellectually, morally, physically, and spiritually.
Mr Michael Ferry leads the school as Headteacher, supported by Deputy Headteachers Mr Chris Franke (Pastoral) and Mr Robert Marr (Data and Progress). The leadership structure includes three Assistant Headteachers with specialised responsibilities: Mr Damian Ashleigh-Morris serves as Director of Sixth Form, Ms Dawn Denyer leads Mathematics, and Mr Charlie Tibble oversees Teaching and Learning.
The six-house system, named after Catholic saints (Augustine, Benedict, Catherine, Dominic, Edith, and Francis), provides vertical pastoral structures where students build relationships across year groups. This arrangement supports the school's emphasis on community and mutual respect.
At GCSE, the school achieves solid results reflecting its comprehensive intake. The average Attainment 8 score of 49 places performance in line with the middle band of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The Progress 8 score of -0.08 indicates students make broadly expected progress from their Key Stage 2 starting points.
St Wilfrid's ranks 2,053rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 3rd among 7 secondary schools in Crawley. The combined GCSE and A-level ranking of 1,620th in England demonstrates consistent performance across both phases.
The EBacc average points score of 4.05 sits marginally below the England average of 4.08, with 8.4% of students achieving grade 5 or above across all EBacc subjects.
Sixth form results show 37.25% of A-level entries achieving grades A*-B, with 3.24% reaching A* and a further 14.98% achieving grade A. These figures sit below the England averages of 23.6% for A*/A combined and 47.2% for A*-B.
The school ranks 1,760th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the lower 40% of sixth forms. Locally, St Wilfrid's ranks 5th in Crawley for A-level performance.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
37.25%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum follows the national framework with additional religious education reflecting the school's Catholic character. Students access a broad range of subjects at both Key Stage 4 and in the sixth form.
At A-level, the school offers a combination of traditional academic subjects and vocational BTEC qualifications. The sixth form prospectus emphasises that students typically study three A-level subjects, with assessment styles varying between the examination-based A-levels and the coursework-weighted BTEC options. For students who find examinations challenging, BTEC courses provide an alternative pathway to equivalent qualifications.
The THRIVE careers programme runs throughout the school, delivered during Thursday morning tutor sessions. All students from Year 7 to Year 13 use Unifrog, a digital platform enabling them to build CVs, explore competencies, research further and higher education options, and investigate apprenticeship routes.
Inspection evidence confirms that teaching follows clear structures. The 15:1 teacher-to-pupil ratio sits slightly below the typical figure for England, supporting classroom interaction.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
The 2023/24 cohort of 99 students shows diverse destination patterns. According to DfE data, 51% progressed to university, 4% entered further education, 4% started apprenticeships, and 24% moved into employment.
The school has achieved Cambridge success, with 2 students applying during the measurement period, 1 receiving an offer, and 1 securing a place. This places St Wilfrid's 593rd in England for combined Oxbridge outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 364th for Cambridge specifically.
The THRIVE programme supports students in identifying appropriate pathways. Immersion days linked to career education and visiting speakers from local businesses and alumni provide direct industry insight. West Sussex destination data indicates the school achieves above-average rates for students progressing to higher education, training, and employment.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 50%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
St Wilfrid's operates within the West Sussex County Council coordinated admissions scheme. Year 7 entry offers approximately 180 places annually. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 776 applications for 185 places representing a subscription ratio of 4.19.
Families must complete two forms: the West Sussex Local Authority admission form (submitted online to the council) and the St Wilfrid's Supplementary Information Form (returned directly to the school before the deadline of 31 October 2025). The LA considers all ranked preferences equally against each school's admission criteria.
Places are allocated in the following priority order after looked-after children:
Distance serves as the tiebreaker within each category, with priority given to children living closest to the school.
The Governors expect families applying for places to accept and uphold the Catholic character and ethos of the school. Five designated Catholic primary schools feed into St Wilfrid's. The catchment area spans the Crawley Deanery and extends to Horsham, Billingshurst and West Grinstead, East Grinstead and Lingfield, Horley, Worth with West Hoathly, and Henfield.
The next Open Evening takes place on Thursday, 9 October 2025, from 18:00 to 20:15. Supplementary forms must be submitted by 31 October 2025 to admissions@stwilfrids.com or school reception.
Year 12 admissions operate through a separate process via the external Applicaa portal. The Sixth Form accepts both internal and external applicants.
Applications
776
Total received
Places Offered
185
Subscription Rate
4.2x
Apps per place
The Catholic ethos shapes pastoral provision throughout the school. Each house provides a vertical pastoral structure where older students support younger peers. Mrs Charlotte Rumbol serves as the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
The chaplaincy offers spiritual guidance and support. Prayer and reflection form part of daily routines. Catholic Social Teaching principles inform approaches to community life and relationships.
Parent survey data from Ofsted Parent View shows 89% of responding parents agreed their child is happy at the school, and 92% agreed their child feels safe. The 2023 inspection confirmed the school continues to be Good.
The sports programme makes extensive use of the modern facilities including a Sport England standard sports hall, grass football pitches, and multi-use games areas. Clubs operate across morning breakfast sessions, lunchtimes, and after school.
Basketball runs separate clubs for Years 8-9 and Years 10-11 plus Sixth Form. Girls' football meets twice weekly. Rugby caters for both boys and girls across all year groups. Additional options include badminton, volleyball, table tennis, cricket nets, cross country, boxing for Key Stage 4, cheerleading, and circuit training.
The music suite and drama studio support performing arts activities. Choir Club meets twice weekly during Break 2 and on Thursdays. Dance Club and Dance Live offer multiple options for dancers. Band Club runs sessions for Year 8 boys. The Musical Film Club provides afternoon gatherings for enthusiasts.
Mathematics support includes Sparx sessions and year-specific revision clubs. GCSE French revision runs after school. Science and STEM clubs extend curriculum learning.
Distinctive hobby clubs include War Hammer Club, Snake Club, Mixcraft (music production), Adobe Illustrator, Code Club, and Greenpower Club for engineering enthusiasts. Most activities run during lunch breaks or after school from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
Year 7 and Year 12 students start on Monday, 8 September 2025, with all other year groups commencing on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. The school observes standard West Sussex term dates with half-term breaks and INSET days.
The school is located at St Wilfrid's Way, Southgate, Crawley, RH11 8PG. From the M23/A23, turn off at the Pease Pottage interchange (Junction 11) and follow signs into Crawley. Parents can contact reception on 01293 421421 or email admissions queries to Ms Sarah Minnis at admissions@stwilfrids.com.
Students access learning platforms including Microsoft 365, Satchel One, and Go4Schools for tracking progress. ParentPay handles school payments.
Faith commitment expected. The school's Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. The Governors explicitly expect families to accept and uphold the Catholic ethos. Daily prayer, religious education, and chaplaincy activities form integral parts of school life. Families uncomfortable with an explicitly Catholic environment should consider alternatives.
Highly oversubscribed entry. With 776 applications for 185 places, competition is intense. Priority goes to baptised Catholics from feeder schools or designated parishes. Non-Catholic families should realistically assess their position in the oversubscription criteria before applying.
Sixth form performance context. A-level results sit below England averages, with 37.25% achieving A*-B compared to the 47.2% average. Families seeking the strongest A-level outcomes may wish to compare local alternatives. However, the BTEC pathway and strong careers guidance support students pursuing vocational routes.
Compact sixth form. With approximately 46 students in the sixth form cohort, course choices may be more limited than at larger sixth form colleges. Students seeking particular A-level combinations should verify availability before applying.
St Wilfrid's offers a genuine Catholic education within a modern, purpose-built environment. The school's faith character is not superficial; it shapes daily routines, pastoral structures, and community values. Academic results reflect the truly comprehensive intake, with GCSE outcomes in line with the middle band of schools in England and A-level results below average but improving.
The school suits Catholic families across Crawley and the wider West Sussex area who want their children educated within an explicitly faith-based environment. The strong careers programme, varied extracurricular provision, and welcoming community atmosphere provide a rounded secondary experience. For families who secure a place and embrace the Catholic ethos, St Wilfrid's delivers on its promise of intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual development.
St Wilfrid's was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. GCSE results place the school in the middle band of performance in England, with Progress 8 showing students make broadly expected progress. The school ranks 3rd among Crawley secondary schools for GCSE outcomes and has achieved Cambridge University acceptances.
Apply through West Sussex County Council's online admissions system and also complete the St Wilfrid's Supplementary Information Form, which must be returned directly to the school by 31 October 2025. Both forms are required; the supplementary form provides evidence of faith criteria.
Priority goes to baptised Catholic children, but the school welcomes applications from other denominations and faiths who accept the religious ethos. Non-Catholic applicants are considered after Catholic children in the oversubscription criteria. The Governors expect all families to accept and uphold the Catholic character of the school.
Yes, significantly. The school received 776 applications for 185 places, a ratio of over 4 applications per place. Living closer to the school provides priority within each admissions category, but baptised Catholic status has greater weight than distance alone.
In 2024, 37.25% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-B, with 18.22% at A*/A. These figures sit below England averages. The school offers both A-levels and BTEC qualifications, with the latter providing coursework-based assessment for students who prefer that approach.
Yes. The VI Form accepts students into Year 12 from both internal and external routes. The sixth form offers a combination of A-levels and vocational BTEC qualifications. The cohort is relatively small, with approximately 46 students across both year groups.
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