St Michael's Catholic School Review 2026: All-through Catholic education across Nursery to Sixth Form

An all-through Catholic school that runs from Nursery to Sixth Form, with both primary and secondary phases on the High Wycombe site and a further secondary site in Aylesbury. Leadership is structured accordingly, with an Executive Headteacher alongside Heads of School for each phase and site. Mrs Louise Baker joined as Executive Headteacher at Easter 2023.

On outcomes, the strongest published picture sits in the primary phase, where Key Stage 2 results are notably above England averages and the school’s FindMySchool primary ranking places it comfortably within the top quarter of primaries in England. At secondary and post-16, the published data suggests a more mixed profile, with GCSE outcomes around the middle of England schools and weaker headline A-level grades in the most recent published set.

Faith is not a bolt-on. It is central to the school’s identity, with regular worship and chaplaincy described as part of daily life.

The school presents itself as one community across multiple phases, with a leadership model designed to keep senior leaders visibly present on each site. High Wycombe Primary is led by Mrs Dani Collins, and High Wycombe Secondary is led by Miss Rhian Morgans. This matters in practice because an all-through setting can otherwise feel administratively complex, especially for families with children in different key stages.

The most useful way to understand the tone is to look at what the school repeatedly foregrounds: belonging, service, and formation as well as academic study. In formal reporting about Catholic education, relationships and conduct are described as clear strengths, alongside a serious approach to prayer and opportunities for spiritual development. This aligns with the school’s own presentation of Catholic life as a routine rhythm of worship, reflection, and chaplaincy-led activity rather than occasional events.

For pupils moving up through the phases, the school explicitly describes transition as “seamless” for those progressing from Year 6 to the senior school, including access to secondary facilities while in primary. For many families, that practical continuity, familiar routines, known staff, and consistent expectations can be a decisive benefit of an all-through model.

Primary

The primary results are the headline strength in the published data. In 2024, 87% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 36% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with the England average of 8%. Reading and maths scaled scores are also strong at 109 and 108 respectively.

Rankings reflect the same pattern. Ranked 2,259th in England and 6th in High Wycombe for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), performance sits above England average and places the school comfortably within the top 25% of primaries in England.

What this tends to mean for families is that the primary phase is likely to suit pupils who enjoy a purposeful classroom climate and benefit from clear routines, strong literacy and numeracy foundations, and higher expectations in the later primary years.

GCSE

At GCSE level, the profile is more middle-of-the-pack nationally. Ranked 1,853rd in England and 6th in High Wycombe for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school’s results sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

In the most recent published set, Attainment 8 is 48.3 and Progress 8 is +0.33, which indicates students make above-average progress from their starting points. EBacc average point score is 4.26.

The practical implication is that the school looks capable of adding value for many students during Key Stage 4, even if its overall GCSE position is not in the very top tier of England schools.

A-level

The published A-level outcomes are the area that most requires careful reading. Ranked 2,529th in England and 9th in High Wycombe for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school sits below England average in the published A-level measure.

In the most recent published A-level set, A* is recorded at 0%, A at 1.87%, and A*-B at 12.15%, compared with England averages of 23.6% for A*/A and 47.2% for A*-B. For parents considering Sixth Form, this is the key data point to explore further with the school, including subject-level performance, cohort sizes, and the specific support structures for study habits and exam preparation.

The most recent graded Ofsted inspection (15 to 16 January 2019) judged the school Good across all inspected areas, including early years and 16 to 19 study programmes. Beyond the rating, the report describes strong subject knowledge, good progress in core areas, and an emphasis on reading from Nursery upwards.

A useful feature of the all-through model is the ability to share specialist facilities and staff across phases. The inspection report explicitly notes that primary pupils benefit from secondary teaching and use of secondary facilities, particularly in physical education. That kind of cross-phase access can broaden primary experience and also make secondary feel less daunting for internal movers.

In Sixth Form, the school positions enrichment and structured personal development as part of the programme, including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), timetabled games, and work experience placements.

As an all-through school, there are three main “next step” moments: Nursery to Reception, Year 6 to Year 7, and Year 11 to Year 12.

Nursery does not automatically feed into Reception, and families are expected to apply for a Reception place through the normal route. Once a pupil has secured a Reception place at the High Wycombe primary phase, the admissions policy states that the pupil has a place through to the end of Year 11, without needing to apply again for a Year 7 place at the High Wycombe secondary phase.

For Sixth Form, the admissions policy states that Year 11 pupils are automatically granted a Year 12 place if they wish to continue and meet the academic requirements, and oversubscription criteria do not apply to internal progression. External applicants are admitted where capacity is not filled internally, subject to entry requirements.

For families, the practical takeaway is that the school offers continuity for those who secure entry early, with fewer disruptive transitions, and a clearer long-term pathway than schools where secondary admission is a fresh competitive event.

Admissions are competitive at both Reception and Year 7 entry points, with the school recorded as oversubscribed in the most recent published admissions demand data.

• Reception entry route: 115 applications for 59 offers, a subscription proportion of 1.95, with first preferences matching first preference offers on the published measure.

• Year 7 entry route: 834 applications for 269 offers, a subscription proportion of 3.1, indicating meaningfully higher demand pressure at secondary entry.

For 2026 entry, Buckinghamshire’s admissions information lists an admission number of 60 for Reception and 150 for Year 7. The school’s published admissions policy also clarifies how the all-through structure affects Year 7: it states that 90 external pupils are admitted alongside 60 pupils who already hold a place from the primary phase, creating the total Year 7 capacity of 150.

Key deadlines for the normal admissions round are published in the school’s admissions policy:

• Secondary closing date: 31 October 2025

• Primary closing date: 15 January 2026

The same policy also lists national offer timings as 1 March 2026 for Year 7 and 16 April 2026 for Reception.

As a Catholic school, faith-related criteria and a Supplementary Information Form are part of the process for families applying under relevant oversubscription criteria, while the school also states that families of all faiths and none are welcome to apply.

Parents weighing the odds should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check practical travel distance and to compare realistic alternatives, especially given oversubscription at both entry points.

Pastoral care is described in formal reporting as anchored in strong relationships and consistent conduct, with behaviour characterised as a strength and expectations visible across phases. Safeguarding arrangements are recorded as effective in the most recent graded inspection evidence.

The faith dimension also shapes wellbeing practice, with chaplaincy, collective worship, and reflective routines positioned as part of how pupils develop spiritually and socially.

At secondary age, the school also highlights structured careers guidance, including one-to-one meetings for Year 11 and Year 13 students to support post-16 and post-18 progression choices.

Extracurricular life is presented as deliberately linked to academic courses and the school’s wider formation aims. Examples named by the school include RE quiz club, maths and science club, writing club (linked to entering competitions), poetry club, and a culinary club.

Sport is also positioned as a significant strand. The graded inspection report identifies physical education as a recognised strength and points to a culture of participation and competitive fixtures.

A further distinctive feature of the secondary experience is the way form and community structures are organised. Tutor groups are referenced as being aligned to house-style groupings named Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul, which gives students a clearer sense of belonging within a large all-through school.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the usual associated costs, such as uniform, trips, and optional clubs.

Primary timings: gates open at 08:25, the school day begins at 08:45, and the day ends at 15:15. Wraparound care is published as available via breakfast provision from 07:30 to 08:30 and after-school provision from 15:15 to 18:30, with a holiday club also listed.

Secondary timings (High Wycombe): arrival is listed from 08:25 with the taught day running through to 15:00, and total weekly hours stated as 32.5.

For travel, the school advises a managed approach to bikes on site, and notes three main bus stops within a short walk of the school.

• All-through scale and complexity. The structure spans Nursery to Sixth Form and operates across more than one site, which can be a major strength, but it also means families should be clear about which phase and site-specific routines apply to them.

• Competition for entry. Both Reception and Year 7 admissions are oversubscribed on the published demand measures. Families should prepare early, follow deadlines closely, and shortlist realistic alternatives.

• A-level outcomes need scrutiny. The published A-level headline grades and ranking are weaker than the primary and GCSE picture. Families considering Sixth Form should ask detailed questions about subject-level performance, cohort size, and academic support.

• Faith expectations are real. The school welcomes applicants of all faiths and none, but Catholic life is integral to daily experience. Families should ensure they are comfortable with the school’s worship and ethos.

St Michael’s Catholic School offers a clear all-through pathway with faith at its core, strong primary outcomes, and a coherent transition story for families who value continuity. It best suits families seeking a Catholic community setting from early years through to Sixth Form, and who are organised about admissions deadlines in an oversubscribed environment. For Sixth Form, the key due diligence is understanding how the school is addressing published post-16 outcomes and what that means for your child’s intended route.