The Douay Martyrs Catholic School Review 2026: A Catholic secondary in Hillingdon with strong GCSE outcomes and a growing sixth form

Academic ambition and pastoral attention sit side by side here. Pupils are described as safe and happy, with mental health treated as a high priority and clear opportunities to take responsibility, including pupil ambassador roles linked to anti-bullying and safeguarding.

This is a mixed, Catholic secondary with sixth form provision (ages 11 to 18) in Ickenham, part of The Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust. Leadership stability is relatively recent, with the current headteacher, Fiona McCloskey, appointed in September 2022.

For families comparing local options, the headline is that GCSE outcomes are strong by England standards, while sixth form outcomes are more mixed. The most recent Ofsted inspection (30 April and 1 May 2024) confirmed the school continues to be good, with effective safeguarding arrangements.

The school’s Catholic identity is explicit and shapes expectations around values, conduct, and community life, even for families who are not deeply observant. It is also a mainstream, comprehensive-intake academy, so the day-to-day tone is best understood as structured and aspirational rather than selective.

A distinctive feature is the way student voice is formalised. Pupils have routes into leadership, with specific roles described for anti-bullying and safeguarding ambassadors. That matters for families who want reassurance that pastoral concerns are not treated as add-ons. Staff are also described as listening to pupils’ views and supporting those deemed vulnerable, with relationships with families positioned as part of the support picture rather than an afterthought.

Attendance and behaviour expectations are set high, and the description of pupils concentrating in class and taking pride in their work aligns with a culture where routines are taken seriously. For students considering sixth form, there is a clear emphasis on older students acting as role models, including running clubs and activities for Years 7 to 11, which can create a visible “older sibling” effect in day-to-day school life.

This section uses the school’s published performance metrics and the provided rankings dataset for England comparisons.

GCSE performance (most recent published figures)

• Average Attainment 8 score: 54.8.

• Progress 8 score: 0.55, indicating students make above-average progress from their starting points.

• EBacc average points score: 5.11 (England average shown: 4.08).

• Percentage achieving grades 5 or above in the EBacc: 39.8%.

In the FindMySchool rankings (based on official data), the school is ranked 729th in England for GCSE outcomes and 6th in Hillingdon, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England for this phase.

That combination matters. A Progress 8 score of 0.55 points to effective teaching and support for progress across the ability range, not just high prior attainers. It is also consistent with an environment where expectations, attendance and classroom focus are treated as core components of attainment.

Parents comparing nearby schools can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to view these GCSE indicators side by side across Hillingdon.

A-level performance (most recent published figures)

Sixth form outcomes are more variable than GCSEs:

• A* rate: 1.98%

• A rate: 11.3%

• B rate: 21.75%

• A* to B combined: 35.03% (England average shown: 47.2%)

In the FindMySchool rankings for A-level outcomes, the sixth form is ranked 1954th in England and 16th in Hillingdon, which sits below England average in the ranking distribution.

The practical implication is that the school looks like a stronger proposition for families prioritising GCSE outcomes and progress, while sixth form fit should be judged more carefully against the student’s likely subject mix, level of independence, and the support they will need to reach top grades.

The curriculum is described as ambitious, well-sequenced, and broad. Pupils study a wide range of subjects through Years 7 to 11, including modern foreign languages, and the sixth form course offer includes subjects such as psychology and media studies.

Two teaching features stand out because they are described in concrete terms. First, staff encourage pupils to connect new learning to prior knowledge, illustrated through subject examples such as physical education and history. The implication is a focus on retention and application, which tends to support stronger Progress 8 outcomes because pupils are not just learning “for the test”, they are building knowledge cumulatively.

Second, reading support is positioned as a targeted intervention rather than a generic aspiration. Weaker readers are identified and supported with strategies that include sixth form students working with younger pupils in reading sessions. For families, the benefit is that literacy gaps are less likely to become hidden barriers to success in subjects such as history, science, and geography.

The main development point flagged is consistency: sometimes the work set does not support learning well, and teaching explanations are not always as clear as they need to be, leading to gaps in knowledge for some pupils, including those with SEND. This is important context for parents of students who rely heavily on precise explanations and well-pitched practice.

Where Students Go Next

Because the school does not publish a detailed university destinations breakdown with Russell Group proportions in the accessible sources used here, the most reliable destination statistics are the provided 16 to 18 leaver outcomes and Oxbridge figures.

16 to 18 destinations (2024 leavers)

For the 2023 to 2024 cohort (cohort size 137), the destinations data shows:

• 73% progressed to university

• 10% entered employment

• 3% began apprenticeships

• 1% progressed to further education

This indicates a sixth form where higher education is the dominant pathway, with apprenticeships and direct employment also forming visible routes for a minority of students.

Oxbridge

In the most recent Oxbridge figures provided, 4 students applied, 1 offer was received, and 1 place was taken at Cambridge. This is not an Oxbridge-heavy profile, but it does show that the school supports high-tariff applications for a small number of students each year.

Careers education is described as structured, with careers fairs and visiting speakers, and sixth form students receiving personalised advice on routes towards university and apprenticeships. For families, this matters because destinations are not only about grades. Guidance, timing, and the quality of reference writing all influence outcomes.

Year 7 entry for September 2026 (Hillingdon coordinated admissions)

For families applying for September 2026 entry, Hillingdon’s published timeline is clear:

• On-time application deadline: Friday 31 October 2025

• National offer day: Monday 2 March 2026

The council leaflet also sets out the acceptance deadline: offers should be accepted or declined by Monday 16 March 2026.

As a Catholic school, a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is typically relevant when applying under faith-based oversubscription criteria. Hillingdon signposts that faith schools may require SIFs and that deadlines can vary by school, so families should check the school’s own published admissions information for the SIF date and required evidence.

Open events

For this admissions round, Hillingdon’s leaflet lists the school’s open evening as Thursday 18 September 2025, and indicates that a SIF is required where applying under faith criteria. Schools can adjust timings year to year, so treat the date as a strong planning indicator and confirm arrangements directly before travelling.

Competition for places

Available admissions demand indicators point to an oversubscribed picture, with the school shown as oversubscribed and a recent application-to-offer ratio in the region of 2.9 applications per offer in the latest available admissions dataset. For parents, that usually means two practical actions: be realistic across your preference list, and verify how your circumstances map to the published criteria.

Parents concerned about distance-based cut-offs should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates. Distance patterns vary annually, so last year’s outcomes do not guarantee the same result in the next round.

Sixth form entry

The school has sixth form provision, and the curriculum offer includes subjects such as psychology and media studies. Without a published sixth form admissions timetable in the accessible sources here, the most sensible approach is to plan early in Year 11, confirm entry requirements by subject, and ask how internal and external applicants are prioritised.

Pastoral priorities are stated clearly in the most recent inspection narrative: pupils’ mental health and wellbeing are treated as high priority, pupils are listened to, and vulnerable pupils are supported. That suggests a model where pastoral care is not only reactive, it is built into the expectations of staff.

The safeguarding statement is also unambiguous. The inspection confirmed safeguarding arrangements are effective. For families, that provides baseline reassurance, but it should still be complemented by practical questions during visits, for example how concerns are reported, how online safety is managed, and how the school handles early signs of anxiety.

Sixth form students are positioned as positive role models for younger year groups, which can be an important stabiliser in a large secondary setting. It also tends to strengthen community norms, because younger pupils see what “successful” looks like within the same environment.

Extracurricular life is described as a blend of sport, arts, and subject-based activities, with concerts, productions, and themed days that build understanding of different cultures. While the detailed clubs list is not accessible in the sources used here, there are still some clear, specific programmes worth noting because they show how enrichment is organised:

• Pupil ambassador roles connected to anti-bullying and safeguarding, which turn pupil voice into an active responsibility rather than a poster slogan.

• Sixth form-led clubs and activities for Years 7 to 11, which strengthens leadership experience for older students and expands provision for younger pupils.

• Sixth form reading support for younger pupils, a practical bridge between pastoral culture and academic catch-up.

Facilities are also part of the wider experience, especially in a school that operates across more than one site. A recent technology upgrade described the installation of 72 interactive displays across classrooms on both campuses, which indicates investment in day-to-day teaching infrastructure rather than only headline projects.

The impact for families is straightforward. If your child benefits from structured leadership opportunities, clear routines, and a school culture where older students actively contribute to the wider community, there are multiple routes to get involved beyond lessons.

This is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the normal associated costs of secondary education, such as uniform, trips, and optional activities.

School-day timings, wraparound arrangements, and specific before-school or after-school supervision are not consistently published in the accessible sources used here, so families should confirm start and finish times directly.

Transport

The school is in Ickenham within the London Borough of Hillingdon. For public transport planning, Ickenham Underground Station is on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, providing a clear Tube link for many families across north west London. There has also been Transport for London consultation activity focused on improving school bus services linked to the school, which indicates established demand for structured school travel routes.

• Sixth form outcomes are more mixed than GCSEs. GCSE measures are strong, including a Progress 8 score of 0.55 and a top-quartile England ranking position. A-level ranking and grade distribution are less competitive, so sixth form decisions should be made with subject fit and support needs in mind.

• Teaching consistency is a stated improvement area. The most recent inspection notes that clarity of explanations and the suitability of work set are not always consistent, which can lead to gaps in knowledge for some pupils, including those with SEND. This is worth exploring in meetings if your child needs very explicit instruction to thrive.

• Admissions can require extra steps. As a Catholic school, a Supplementary Information Form may be necessary when applying under faith-based criteria, and deadlines can differ between schools. Missing the SIF process can weaken an application in oversubscribed conditions.

• Large school feel. Published figures indicate a sizeable roll and a high level of daily activity. That scale can suit confident, social pupils who like choice and variety, but some students prefer smaller settings with fewer transitions across the day.

The Douay Martyrs Catholic School looks strongest as a GCSE-focused option in Hillingdon: progress measures and rankings indicate above-average outcomes in England, and the culture is described as orderly, supportive, and attentive to wellbeing. Sixth form provision is established and offers breadth, but the most recent outcomes profile is more variable, so students should choose subjects carefully and be clear about the level of independent study they can sustain.

Who it suits: families seeking a Catholic secondary with strong Year 11 performance indicators, clear expectations around behaviour and attendance, and structured opportunities for pupil leadership.