All Saints Catholic College Review 2026: Outstanding Co-Educational Secondary in North Kensington

In 1872, Cardinal Henry Edward Manning founded St Charles College for Boys on this North Kensington site, a boarding school designed to prepare Catholic youth for leadership and the priesthood. Today, the same ground holds All Saints Catholic College, a vibrant co-educational secondary that honours that heritage whilst serving the contemporary needs of over 800 students aged 11 to 16. Located a few minutes' walk from Ladbroke Grove tube station in the heart of North Kensington, this Voluntary Aided Catholic school has undergone remarkable transformation since admitting girls and opening its doors to boys for the first time in September 2018. The 2022 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across all five inspection categories, placing the school among the exceptional 3% of schools inspected in that period. Academic results soar: 75% of students achieved grade 4 or above in English and Maths in 2024, with a striking 49% of all grades hitting the top (grades 7-9). This is a state school with no tuition fees, funded through Kensington and Chelsea Local Authority but rooted firmly in Catholic faith and values.

Just beyond the gates at St Charles Square, you sense a school at ease with itself. The atmosphere is calm but purposeful. Founded on Catholic principles that predate the modern era, All Saints carries genuine weight as an institution, yet feels unmistakably contemporary. Students move with intention; behaviour is excellent, not through oppression but because expectations are high and consistently upheld. The diversity of the intake, with 17.3% of pupils on SEN support and a richly multicultural community, is described by the school and inspectors alike as a key strength. Rather than tolerance, the culture promotes active celebration of difference; students are taught to be tolerant, polite, and articulate.

The school mission (placing Christ at the centre of community and encouraging everyone to flourish through learning) is lived rather than merely stated. Daily Mass is available; Catholic values permeate curriculum and pastoral care without dominating the academic experience. A cluster of Catholic institutions surrounds the site on St Charles Square, including the primary school, sixth form college, St Pius X Church, and the Carmelite Monastery, creating what feels like a Catholic educational quarter within London. Until 2018, the school operated as Sion-Manning Catholic Girls' School; the transition to co-education involved careful integration, and both cohorts now feel fully part of one community. Paul Walton, the current acting head (since July 2025), continues the direction established by his predecessor, Andrew O'Neill, who received national recognition as Secondary Headteacher of the Year in 2022. The leadership team has invested in making this a genuinely inclusive, aspirational institution.

GCSE Performance

Results are the standout metric. In 2024, 75% of students achieved grades 9-4 in both English and Mathematics, a strong pass that opens doors to university and skilled employment. Strikingly, 49% of all GCSE grades awarded fell into the top of grades 7-9 (A*-A), indicating exceptional subject mastery across the cohort. In English alone, 95% achieved a standard pass; in Maths, 86%. History stood out, with 70% of students achieving grade 7 or above, while Religious Education saw 95% meeting the standard.

The school's average Attainment 8 score was 53.9 in 2023/24, placing it within the National Strong band at 1,139th in England (FindMySchool ranking). This sits in the top 25% of schools in England, substantially above both local and national averages. Locally, within Kensington and Chelsea, the school ranks 6th among secondary schools. What these rankings mean for parents: All Saints performs significantly better than a typical English secondary, with results that rival independent schools in the area.

Progress 8 is equally telling. At +0.69, the school indicates that pupils make above-average progress from their starting points to GCSE. This matters because it shows genuine value-add, students come from mixed backgrounds with varying prior attainment, and by Year 11, they are achieving well above what their starting points would predict. The school's own analysis highlights that disadvantaged pupils show particular progress, suggesting that pastoral support and SEND intervention are genuinely effective.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection identified the quality of education as Outstanding, emphasising that "leaders and teachers are unwaveringly ambitious for all pupils" and that teachers serve as "experts in ensuring that all pupils are making progress through the curriculum." Teaching is ambitious and well-sequenced, with clear explanations of key concepts. Lessons are inclusive by design, with leaders and staff demonstrating exceptional knowledge of individual pupil needs, including those with SEND and those at early stages of English language development.

The curriculum follows the national framework whilst maintaining considerable breadth. At Key Stage 3, pupils study core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) supplemented by Religious Education, Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish), Humanities, creative technologies including Art and Design Technology, Food and Nutrition, and Computer Science. Drama is taught once weekly; Music once weekly. Oracy is explicitly developed in Year 7. The school has not retreated into a narrow test-heavy curriculum; subject diversity is preserved.

At Key Stage 4, students choose two additional pathway subjects from Art, Photography, Design Technology, Food and Nutrition, Music, Physical Education, or additional Humanities and Languages. This maintains breadth alongside GCSE specialisation. Class sizes in main school remain relatively small, a significant advantage given that the school is categorised as "small" in the education sector; pupils benefit from more individual attention than in larger secondaries.

Upon completing Year 11, students leave All Saints Catholic College, which operates only to age 16. Progression routes include St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College (the nearest option, operating on the same site), Westminster City School Sixth Form, Francis Holland Sixth Form (independent), and other sixth form colleges and independent schools in London. The school works actively with local sixth forms to facilitate smooth transition and supports students in making informed choices. In 2024, 98% of pupils progressed to further education, reflecting strong outcomes and access to continuing pathways.

The school does not publish university destination data, as it has no sixth form. However, the strength of GCSE results and student progress suggest that leavers arrive at sixth forms well-prepared for A-level study.

Extracurricular life is genuinely rich and accessible. The school organises clubs running at lunchtime, before school, and after school, with a timetable regularly updated. Activities start the week commencing late September each year and run through the academic calendar. From research, specific named clubs include:

Music: Options include Schola Cantorum (KS3 choir), plus steel‑pan, rock and wind bands; the choir performs at senior citizens’ parties, charity events and residential homes. The Music Hub (newly expanded) contains over 20 Apple Mac computers with Logic Pro and MIDI keyboards, multiple teaching and learning spaces, and an extensive array of instruments available for students to learn. Instrumental lessons are offered in Vocal, Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone), Brass (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba), and Steel Pans. Performance opportunities include school concerts, summer musicals, Christmas Carol Services, and School Masses. The head of Performing Arts, Ms Vojvodic, leads this expanding department.

Drama: The school mounts one large-scale musical production each year, plus a smaller Christmas show and other productions throughout the year. The drama studio (located in the new building, which forms the heart of the school) is a professional-standard space with pull-out tiered seating, a full lighting rig, and complete black-out capability. Students undertake trips to West End theatres and partner with the Bush Theatre and LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) and Royal Court for enrichment and learning. GCSE Drama is offered via Eduqas; drama is taught formally at KS3.

Sports and Physical Activity: Physical Education is compulsory at least once weekly for all students. The Fitness Suite is an ultra-modern indoor gym with professional-standard equipment, encouraging students to maintain active lifestyles both during school hours and recreationally (with adult supervision). A professional dance studio features wall-to-wall mirrors and ballet bars, used for PE lessons and choreography work. The school coaches a range of sports including football, volleyball, and basketball; competitive matches use other schools' facilities given the space constraints of a North Kensington urban site. Sports Studies is available as a GCSE option.

STEM and Academic Clubs: Science Club, Seeing Stars Club (implications for gifted science learners), and Computer Science engagement. The school emphasises computational thinking alongside hands-on scientific investigation.

Creative Arts and Creative Expression: Art Club; Slam-poetry club (planned expansion); Photography is available as a discrete GCSE subject; the Art Studio features high workbenches suited to practical work.

Recreational Clubs: Trampoline club, Boxing club, Fitness training club, Dance club. These provide genuine variety in physical activity, moving beyond traditional team sports to create inclusive pathways.

The school library (Learning Resource Centre) houses extensive educational and recreational reading, over 30 computer stations, and a Digital Library with access to audiobooks. Integration of technology is thoughtful; computers are distributed throughout the school building ensuring access when needed for schoolwork and regulated online activities.

The Ofsted inspection highlighted that "pupils respond to the high expectations of adults" and that "where they need additional help, this is recognised and provided by skilled pastoral staff." The school has invested substantially in pastoral structures. Heads of Year lead form tutor teams; each form tutor knows their tutor group intimately. When pastoral concerns arise (friendships, bullying, behaviour, attendance), staff aim to respond within 24 hours. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Ms C Dalton; Deputy DSLs include Mr P Walton (the acting head) and Mr T Aykroyd. The SENCO, Mr Holland, coordinates support for pupils on the SEN register and those requiring additional intervention.

The school offers a Seeing Stars reading screening programme, identifying pupils who may be at risk of reading difficulty early. Support is tailored; the school describes its approach as inclusive by design rather than reactive.

All Saints Catholic College is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions data, the school received 4.72 applications for every place available, a remarkably high ratio reflecting the school's reputation and the limited secondary capacity in North Kensington. Entry is at Year 7 (age 11). The school is non-selective, admitting according to published Catholic admissions criteria. Applicants from Catholic backgrounds (evidenced by Certificate of Catholic Practice) are prioritised after looked-after children; others may be admitted according to distance and other criteria. In-year admissions (mid-cycle placements) are managed through the local authority; a Supplementary Information Form is required.

For September 2026 entry, the main admissions deadline was 31 October 2025. National Offer Day occurred on 2 March 2026. Families wishing to explore entry should verify current dates via the school website, as specific deadlines shift annually. The school is currently operating waiting lists in all year groups, indicating sustained demand.

School day: 8:30am to 3:15pm (detentions held until 4:15pm).

Location: 75 St Charles Square, London, W10 6EL. The school is situated a few minutes' walk from Ladbroke Grove Underground Station (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines), making it accessible via public transport from across West London. For families using buses, multiple routes serve the area. The site is pedestrian-friendly with established walking routes from local primary schools.

After-school provision: After-school clubs operate until 4:15pm. For more detailed information on wraparound care availability, families should contact the school directly or consult the Kensington and Chelsea wraparound care page.

Catering: The school provides lunch facilities on-site. Free school meals are available to eligible families; information is available on the school website.

Facilities: The campus includes a Humanities and Languages building, modern-equipped Science classrooms with contemporary benches, Food and Nutrition kitchen featuring island ovens, Art studio, Library/Learning Resource Centre, Music Hub, Drama studio, Fitness Suite, and outdoor space including raised vegetable beds.

Oversubscription is intense: With 4.72 applications per place, entry is highly competitive. Families considering this school should verify their home address is within a reasonable distance (the published admissions criteria should be consulted) and plan accordingly. Living in the immediate catchment area significantly improves chances.

Catholic identity is genuine: The school's Catholic character is pervasive and authentic. Daily Mass is available; Religious Education is core curriculum; Catholic values infuse pastoral work and ethos. Families of all faiths are warmly welcomed, but those uncomfortable with an explicitly Catholic environment should explore alternatives.

Limited campus in an urban setting: As a North Kensington urban school, the physical site is necessarily compact. Competitive team sports use other schools' facilities; outdoor space is limited. Families expecting extensive grounds and sprawling playing fields should realise the constraints of a Westminster location.

Transition to co-education is recent: The shift from all-girls to mixed education occurred only in 2018. While integration is now seamless, families might wish to observe whether any gender-specific cultures have emerged during visits.

All Saints Catholic College is an exceptional state secondary, delivering Outstanding education within an authentically Catholic framework. Academic results place it firmly in the top 25% of schools in England; progress measures indicate genuine value-add, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. The culture is inclusive without surrendering standards; behaviour is excellent; pastoral care is attentive. Extracurricular provision is genuinely broad, from Schola Cantorum to Steel Pans to Slam Poetry. The school manages to be both deeply rooted in Catholic tradition (dating to Cardinal Manning in 1872) and unmistakably contemporary. Best suited to families within the North Kensington and adjacent areas, particularly those valuing Catholic education and a diverse, closely-knit community. The main barrier is entry; competition for places is significant. For families who secure admission, the school delivers exceptional value.