St Julie's Catholic High School Review 2026: Nurturing Faith and Talent

Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Woolton, St Julie's Catholic High School occupies a unique space in Liverpool's educational landscape. While it is a state-funded comprehensive, its heritage as a Notre Dame school connects it to a global network of education dating back to 1804. The school sits in modern, purpose-built facilities completed in 2017, surrounded by woodland that predates the campus.

Famous for producing world-beating talent, including actress Jodie Comer and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the school clearly knows how to nurture potential beyond the examination hall. With around 1,260 students, it is larger than average but maintains the close-knit feel of a community bound by shared faith. The school serves girls aged 11 to 18, admitting boys into the Sixth Form, although the main school remains distinctively single-sex in character.

The campus blends modern glass architecture with the site's historic Woolton Woods setting. At drop-off, the atmosphere is vibrant but orderly. The distinctive green blazers of the students are a familiar sight in the village.

Mrs Kate McCourt, the Headteacher, has led the school since 2023, championing a philosophy rooted in the teachings of St Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The school's mission is explicitly Catholic, yet it welcomes students from other backgrounds who respect this ethos. The motto often cited is St Julie's own maxim: Ah! Qu'il est bon le bon Dieu (How good is the good God). This spirit of optimism permeates the corridors; staff describe the school as a warm and joyful place, a sentiment echoed by the 2023 Ofsted report which rated the school Good.

The design of the building features a central heart space, open-plan learning zones, and a stunning chapel that serves as the spiritual anchor of the site. It feels less like a traditional institution and more like a modern university campus, designed to encourage independence.

St Julie's operates as a true comprehensive, welcoming students of all abilities. The 2024 results reflect an inclusive intake where value is added across a broad spectrum of talents, not just academic metrics.

In the 2024 GCSE examinations, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 41.5 (England average: 45.9). The Progress 8 score of -0.47 indicates that, on average, students made less progress than their peers nationally with similar starting points. Ranked 3,184th in England and 31st in Liverpool for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the national lower band.

However, these headline figures mask individual successes. The school successfully supports high achievers, as evidenced by recent Oxbridge successes.

Sixth Form Performance

At A-level, the school ranks 2,290th in England and 34th in Liverpool. In 2024, 27.5% of grades were A*-B. While this is below the England average of 47%, the school offers a wide range of vocational qualifications alongside traditional A-levels, serving a diverse cohort. The focus here is often on the right destination for the student rather than league table position.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. Key Stage 3 covers three years, ensuring students have time to deepen their knowledge before GCSE choices. Teaching is structured and supportive, with Ofsted inspectors noting that teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly.

A key strength is the school's refusal to narrow the curriculum too early. The arts remain central, not sidelined. Drama, Dance, and Music are taught by specialists in purpose-built studios. This commitment to creative subjects is a defining feature of the St Julie's experience, providing balance to the core academic subjects.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEND) is robust. The learning support department works closely with teaching staff to adapt lessons. The Plus One centre provides a base for students who need additional help with literacy or numeracy, ensuring no one is left behind.

Destinations data highlights the school's success in guiding students to appropriate pathways. In 2024, 53% of leavers progressed to university, with others choosing further education (5%) or employment (21%).

The school celebrates elite academic success alongside vocational pathways. In a notable achievement for 2024, one student secured a place at Cambridge University, ranking the school 364th in England for Cambridge success. This demonstrates that for the most academically able, the pathway to elite institutions is open and supported.

Alumni success stories, such as Katarina Johnson-Thompson (World Champion Heptathlete) and Jodie Comer (BAFTA and Emmy winning actress), are frequently cited to inspire current students. While exceptional, they reflect a culture that encourages ambition in diverse fields.

Admission to St Julie's is coordinated by Liverpool City Council, but as a Catholic school, the governors are the admissions authority. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 422 applications for 179 places, a subscription ratio of 2.36 applications per place.

The oversubscription criteria prioritise:

1. Looked After Children.
2. Baptised Catholic girls living in the designated parishes (including St Mary’s, Holy Family, and Our Lady of the Assumption).
3. Baptised Catholic girls from other parishes.
4. Other girls.

Parents applying on faith grounds must complete a Supplementary Faith Form in addition to the local authority common application form. This is critical; failure to submit the supplementary form usually results in the application being placed in a lower category.

Pastoral care is the backbone of St Julie's. The school operates a Year Group system, with Progress Leaders staying with their cohort as they move up the school. This ensures continuity and means staff know the families well.

The Chaplaincy team is highly visible and active. They organise retreats, charity events, and daily acts of worship. The 1804 Society, named after the year the order was founded, is a student leadership group that plays a key role in peer support.

Ofsted (2023) noted that pupils feel safe and happy and that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively. The school has a dedicated Student Support Centre for those facing emotional or social challenges, offering a sanctuary within the busy school day.

Extracurricular life at St Julie's is vibrant, particularly in the performing arts and sport.

The Arts

Reflecting its alumni pedigree, the school invests heavily in the arts. The Drama department stages high-quality annual productions that utilise the professional-standard lighting and sound systems in the main theatre. The Dance company performs regionally, and the Choir is a fixture at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral events.

Sport

Facilities include a large sports hall, dance studio, and extensive outdoor courts. The PE department runs clubs ranging from netball and football to trampoline and athletics. The school competes locally and regionally, punching above its weight in athletics competitions.

Faith in Action

The ethos of St Julie Billiart ("serve the good God") translates into extensive charity work. Students regularly fundraise for NDCO (Notre Dame Charism Organisation) projects in Africa and South America. The Justice and Peace group is active in campaigning on social issues, giving students a sense of global citizenship.

This is a state-funded school, meaning there are no tuition fees for students.

Families should note that while education is free, there are standard costs for uniform, sports kit, and optional trips. The school uses Pupil Premium funding effectively to support eligible students with these expenses.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Located on Speke Road in Woolton, the site is well-served by public transport. Several dedicated school bus services (the 600 series) connect the school to surrounding areas including Halewood, Hunts Cross, and Belle Vale.

Parents should note that while the school is 11-18, the Sixth Form operates in collaboration with other local schools to broaden subject choice, although most provision is on-site.

Academic Position: While the school offers excellent holistic education, its raw academic rankings (GCSE and A-level) sit in the national lower band. Families solely focused on league table position might find this a concern, though the positive Value Added in specific subjects and Oxbridge success shows high achievers are supported.

Faith Commitment: The Catholic ethos is not an add-on; it is central to school life. All students, regardless of background, are expected to participate in the religious life of the school, including Masses and RE lessons.

Admissions Pressure: With over two applications for every place, entry is not guaranteed even for Catholic children living nearby. Families outside the designated parishes or without a faith claim face significant competition.

St Julie's Catholic High School is a nurturing, joyful community that excels at developing the whole person. While raw exam statistics are modest compared to selective schools, its ability to produce world-class talent in sport and drama speaks to a culture of confidence and support. Best suited to families seeking a supportive, faith-based environment where character and community matter as much as grades. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular, oversubscribed school.