All Saints Catholic High School Review 2026: Historic Servite School Transitions to Mixed Education

All Saints Catholic High School in Stamford Hill, Hackney, carries a heritage stretching back to 1904 when Servite Sisters founded the school to educate young women in the local community. In September 2024, the school marked a significant milestone by welcoming boys for the first time, transitioning to co-educational provision while maintaining its distinctive Servite values and Catholic mission. Rated Good by Ofsted in 2023 and by diocesan inspectors in 2024, this four-form-entry state voluntary aided school serves approximately 500 pupils aged 11 to 18. The school underwent a complete rebuild through the Building Schools for the Future programme, providing modern facilities on its Amhurst Park site. With strong transport links—Stamford Hill Station is less than a minute's walk away—the school draws families from across Hackney and beyond, with the furthest admitted pupil travelling 10.7 miles.

Founded by the Servite Sisters in 1904, All Saints Catholic High School remains deeply connected to its Servite heritage. The school's mission statement—"shaping tomorrow, inspired by faith"—is underpinned by three core values: aspiration, service and compassion. These values are informed by the eight Servite Values that continue to guide the school community, with the Marian Identity at their heart. As servants of Mary, the community looks to Mary as mother in faith, sister in discipleship and sign of the Church, embracing a servant leadership ethos.

The link with the Sisters of the Servite Order remains strong. A Servite Sister serves as one of the school chaplains, and the school maintains international connections with Servite schools in Bolivia, South Africa, France and Italy. Under the leadership of headteacher Mr Andy English, the school has navigated its transition to mixed education while preserving the pastoral ethos and individual nurture that characterised its 120-year history as a girls' school.

Catholic life is woven into the school day. Prayer and liturgy are central, with daily acts of worship inviting all students and staff to participate. Whole-school Masses are celebrated at St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill, during Advent, Lent and July, with additional provision for Holy Days of Obligation either at St Ignatius or in the school chapel. The school operates as a supportive community based on the Gospel message of "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34-35), with deep respect for the uniqueness and diversity of each person.

As a Catholic community, the school holds an unconditional commitment to equality for both staff and pupils. The school recognises that diversity resulting from age, gender, race, ability, faith, social origins and culture represents an enrichment of the community, and all members are valued equally regardless of function, status or ability.

All Saints Catholic High School delivers GCSE results that sit in line with national averages. In the most recent results, pupils achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 42.5, with an average Progress 8 score of +0.27, indicating that students make slightly more progress than similar pupils nationally. The school ranks 2,409th in England for GCSE performance, placing it in the middle of the national distribution. Locally in Hackney, the school ranks 15th out of secondary schools.

Approximately 14% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate subjects (English, mathematics, sciences, a language and history or geography), below the national average, though the school's EBacc average point score of 3.86 shows pupils are making efforts across this rigorous suite of subjects. The school serves a community with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage: 49% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 53% have English as an additional language.

The school has 11.6% of pupils with special educational needs. A dedicated SEN Information Report, available on the school's website, explains the practical approach taken to support pupils with additional needs. The school's commitment to nurturing each individual's potential extends across all ability levels, with personalised support tailored to students' circumstances.

At sixth form, the school offers A-levels and Level 3 BTECs in a range of subjects, with 75 places available in Year 12. Subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English Literature, History, Classics, Business, and Health & Social Care. The sixth form ranks 2,482nd nationally for A-level outcomes, with 3.6% of entries graded A, 12.5% graded B, and 16% achieving A*–B grades. These figures are below national averages (where 23.6% achieve A*–A and 47.2% achieve A*–B), reflecting the inclusive ethos of the school's sixth form provision.

The school is ranked in the top 5% of schools in England for value added to student outcomes at sixth form, indicating that pupils make strong progress from their starting points. In recent years, more students have been admitted to Russell Group universities than the national average. The school provides access to prestigious summer schools, including the Sutton Trust, the King's College K+ Programme and the Social Mobility Foundation, supporting students with ambitions in medicine, journalism, law, and the humanities and social sciences.

The school occupies a modern campus following its complete rebuild under the Building Schools for the Future initiative. The facilities include a school chapel, supporting the Catholic life and liturgy at the heart of the school day. The school's location on Amhurst Park in Stamford Hill offers exceptional transport connectivity, with nine bus routes passing nearby and Stamford Hill Station less than a minute's walk away. The site is also a short walk or bus ride from stations on the Piccadilly and Victoria lines, making the school accessible to families across north and east London.

The rebuilt campus provides specialist teaching spaces and modern learning environments that support a broad and balanced curriculum. The school offers lettings of its facilities to the local community, contributing to its role as a community hub beyond the school day.

Catholic life in action includes participation in acts of worship, retreats, and service to others. Students are encouraged to help improve the community and provide service, living out the Gospel values in practical ways. The school's international Servite links offer opportunities for students to engage with partner schools in Europe, Africa and South America.

All Saints Catholic High School admits 120 pupils to Year 7 each year. The school is oversubscribed: for 2025 entry, the school received 306 applications for 120 places, with a subscription ratio of 2.71:1. The furthest distance offered for the most recent intake was 10.7 miles, reflecting the school's appeal to Catholic families across a wide area of London.

Admissions are managed by the school as its own admissions authority. The school has a Roman Catholic religious character and uses faith-based oversubscription criteria, requiring applicants to complete a Supplementary Information Form alongside the standard local authority application. Parents should download the admissions policy and supplementary form from the school's website or Hackney Education's admissions pages to understand the specific criteria, which typically prioritise practising Catholics, those with siblings at the school, and proximity to the school.

Applications are made through Hackney Council's coordinated admissions process for secondary transfer. Parents must submit applications by the national deadline in the autumn of Year 6, and offers are made on National Offer Day in early March. Given the oversubscription, parents should carefully review the admissions policy to understand how their child's application will be ranked and whether they meet priority criteria.

The school's published admissions number of 120 reflects four forms of entry. Since September 2024, the school has admitted both boys and girls, and applications are considered equally regardless of gender. The transition to mixed education is expected to broaden the school's appeal and may increase competition in future years as the co-educational model becomes established.

All Saints Catholic High School offers a Catholic education rooted in 120 years of Servite tradition, now entering a new chapter as a mixed comprehensive. Families drawn to the school will value its strong Catholic ethos, Servite values, and commitment to serving pupils from diverse backgrounds. The school's Progress 8 score shows that pupils make better-than-expected progress, and the sixth form's value-added performance places it among the strongest in England for helping students exceed expectations.

The school's recent transition to co-education represents a significant evolution, and parents considering the school should be aware that the first cohort of boys entered in September 2024. Over time, this change may reshape the school's culture and outcomes, but the Servite values and pastoral ethos remain central to its identity.

For Catholic families seeking a faith-based education with strong transport links, a rebuilt campus, and a commitment to nurturing each pupil's potential, All Saints offers an established option in Hackney. The school's GCSE results are in line with national averages, and while sixth form A-level outcomes are below national figures, the value-added performance indicates that students are well supported to reach their individual potential. Families should weigh the school's inclusive admissions and socioeconomic context against selective alternatives if academic outcomes are the primary consideration.

The school's international Servite links, access to university preparation programmes, and strong Russell Group progression demonstrate ambition for its students. Parents attracted to the school's mission of shaping tomorrow, inspired by faith, will find a community committed to service, compassion and aspiration.

Is All Saints Catholic High School a good school?

All Saints Catholic High School is rated Good by Ofsted (2023) and by diocesan inspectors (2024). The school delivers GCSE results in line with national averages, with a positive Progress 8 score of +0.27 indicating that pupils make better progress than similar pupils nationally. The sixth form is ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally for value added, showing strong support for post-16 students. The school serves a diverse community with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage, and its inclusive ethos prioritises nurturing each individual. For Catholic families seeking a faith-based education with Servite values, All Saints offers a supportive and established option.

How do I apply to All Saints Catholic High School?

Applications to All Saints Catholic High School are made through Hackney Council's coordinated admissions process for secondary transfer. Parents must complete both the local authority's Common Application Form (CAF) and the school's Supplementary Information Form, available from the school's website or Hackney Education's admissions pages. The school is its own admissions authority and uses faith-based oversubscription criteria, typically prioritising practising Catholics and siblings. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline in the autumn of Year 6, with offers made on National Offer Day in early March. The school received 306 applications for 120 places in 2025, so parents should carefully review the admissions policy and ensure they meet priority criteria.

Does All Saints Catholic High School have a sixth form?

Yes, All Saints Catholic High School has a sixth form offering A-levels and Level 3 BTECs, with 75 places available in Year 12. Subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English Literature, History, Classics, Business, and Health & Social Care. The sixth form is ranked in the top 5% of schools in England for value added, indicating strong progress from students' starting points. Many sixth-formers progress to Russell Group universities at a rate above the national average. The school provides access to prestigious summer schools and university preparation programmes, supporting students with ambitions in medicine, law, journalism, and the humanities and social sciences.

What is the catchment area for All Saints Catholic High School?

All Saints Catholic High School does not operate a traditional distance-based catchment. As a Catholic voluntary aided school, it uses faith-based oversubscription criteria set out in its admissions policy. The furthest distance offered for the most recent intake was 10.7 miles, reflecting the school's wide appeal to Catholic families across London. Families from across Hackney and neighbouring boroughs apply, and the school's excellent transport links—with Stamford Hill Station less than a minute's walk away and nine bus routes nearby—make it accessible to pupils travelling from a distance. Parents should consult the admissions policy to understand how priority is assigned and whether they meet the faith criteria.

When did All Saints Catholic High School start accepting boys?

All Saints Catholic High School (formerly Our Lady's Catholic High School) began admitting boys to Year 7 in September 2024, transitioning from single-sex to co-educational provision after 120 years as a girls' school. The school continues to offer the same high-quality teaching and pastoral support to both boys and girls, underpinned by its Servite values and Catholic mission. The transition reflects the school's commitment to serving the wider Catholic community in Hackney and beyond. As of the 2024–25 academic year, the student body is predominantly female, with boys making up approximately 11% of the roll, a proportion expected to increase as each new Year 7 cohort enters.