St George's Catholic School, London: Outstanding Catholic Education in Westminster

In Maida Vale, close to the Grand Union Canal, stands a school defined not by wealth or exclusivity but by genuine Catholic conviction and the remarkable journey it has travelled. St George's has earned its Outstanding rating through resilience and clarity of purpose. The school sits in the top 25% nationally for GCSE performance (ranked 807th in England on FindMySchool data), a significant achievement in Westminster, where one in three pupils speak English as an additional language and pupil deprivation is in the highest quintile nationally. What makes this particularly striking is that outcomes reach these heights not despite the community served, but through it; the school has learned to draw strength from its diversity. Mr Cathal Gregory heads the school today, leading approximately 1,100 pupils aged 11-18 as part of the Cardinal Hume Academies Trust. The sixth form operates through a franchise arrangement with St Thomas More Catholic School. For families seeking a state secondary with authentic Catholic values, strong academics, and a genuinely inclusive ethos, St George's merits serious consideration.

The school's story matters here. In 1995, headmaster Philip Lawrence was fatally stabbed whilst protecting a pupil outside the school gates, a tragedy that devastated the community and sent the school into years of institutional darkness. The television drama Ahead of the Class documented those years and the subsequent recovery under Marie Stubbs. The school's transformation, beginning in earnest in the mid-2000s, is documented by Ofsted's 2010 observation that St George's had "undergone a remarkable transformation and emerged confidently from a turbulent period." That narrative is not history; it shapes the school's culture today. The Philip Lawrence Friendship Garden stands within the grounds as a living memorial, a quiet space that reflects on values of courage and service.

Walking through the school reveals an ordered environment with a clear Catholic identity. Mass happens regularly in the chapel, with each form attending its own liturgy during the academic year. Students themselves take leadership roles as liturgical prefects, elected positions responsible for planning spiritual events including commemorative services such as those held for the Grenfell fire anniversary. Religious education is substantial, occupying significant curriculum time, though the approach is inclusive; study extends across world religions, and the school welcomes families from all faiths.

The atmosphere is purposeful but not pressured. Students move between lessons with clear expectations; discipline is important, but so is the underlying message: you belong here, and we have high expectations for you. The staff team, notably stable in a London comprehensive, are invested in individual pupil progress. Russell Group university speakers visit to discuss pathways and opportunities, a signal that aspiration is embedded in the daily conversation.

GCSE Performance

The school's GCSE outcomes place it squarely in the upper tier of London secondaries. In the most recent reported year, 80% of students achieved grades 9-4 across their subjects, with 28% achieving grades 9-7. These figures represent solid progress above England averages. The school ranks 807th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% nationally; regionally, it ranks 11th among Westminster secondaries.

The average Attainment 8 score of 55.7 indicates pupils are securing a strong basket of grades. The Progress 8 score of +0.72 is particularly important: this measures how much progress pupils make from their starting points, and a positive score of this magnitude signals that the school is adding significant value, especially for students who arrive without prior advantage.

The EBacc (English Baccalaureate) entry rate of 32% reflects the school's emphasis on a broad, traditional academic curriculum. Students are encouraged to take science, humanities, languages and mathematics as a coherent whole, preparing them for competitive university entry.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form, drawing students from across the school and accepting some external applicants, delivers solid results. At A-level, 55% of grades achieved A*-B, with approximately 5% at A* and 24% at A. These outcomes place the school at 924th in England nationally (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the middle 35% of sixth forms, a fair reflection of a comprehensive intake preparing broadly for higher education and apprenticeships.

The sixth form operates as a genuine community within the school, with extensive leadership and enrichment opportunities. Head of Sixth Form emphasises that the school cares "just as much about your personal enrichment as your exam results," and structures exist to support both: specialist sixth form teachers deliver teaching, tailored support is provided in smaller sets, and students have access to extensive clubs and community projects.

The curriculum is deliberately broad and structured. The school day runs five one-hour periods, with 25 periods allocated across a school week, allowing subjects sufficient depth without fragmentation. Religious education remains substantial throughout secondary school, reflecting the school's Catholic character. Science, languages, humanities and mathematics form the backbone of teaching.

At Key Stage 4, students study towards GCSEs across the traditional suite of subjects. The school's specialist humanities status (designated in 2010) means business and humanities subjects are taught with particular rigour. Latin is offered as a subject for able pupils, reflecting the school's academic ambition.

At sixth form, students select four A-level subjects from a substantial list including sciences, mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, history, geography, languages (classical and modern), and religious studies. BTEC Level 3 pathways are also available, giving students flexibility if vocational qualifications better suit their goals. The school emphasises that student choice is prioritised: timetable blocks are arranged around pupil preferences rather than forcing compromise.

Teaching is characterised by clear expectations and subject expertise. The school employs specialist subject teachers throughout, and there is particular emphasis on developing threshold concepts and long-term retention rather than superficial coverage. Student voice is incorporated into lesson design, and cross-curricular links are deliberately woven through the curriculum so that learning feels connected rather than compartmentalised.

Philosophy and Spiritual Life

The Religious Education department runs a weekly Philosophy Club for Key Stage 3 students, a space where pupils can ask fundamental questions in an informal setting without pressure. This sits alongside more formal liturgical roles: elected liturgical prefects shape the spiritual calendar, planning prayer services and enabling younger students to reflect on their faith. Visits feature prominently, with trips to Rome, Lourdes, the Jewish Museum and various places of worship building interfaith understanding and deepening pupils' engagement with Catholic tradition.

Drama and Performance

Drama facilities have been significantly enhanced since the 2010 Building Schools for the Future completion, when the Curran Block was added. This modern facility includes dedicated drama studios and performance spaces, enabling the school to mount substantial productions. Theatre is an active part of sixth form life, with students both performing and accessing theatre trips.

International Learning and Citizenship

St George's has a strong commitment to global education. The school funds international trips, often with corporate sponsorship, enabling pupils to travel and learn about international business. Past expeditions have taken students to Shanghai, South Africa, Prague and Hong Kong. These are not luxury tours but structured learning experiences: pupils have engaged in the South African Model United Nations competition, an international debating forum, multiple times. In 2009, the school's joint team with City of London Boys came home with prizes for best team and best speaker.

Sports

A rooftop sports area, added in 2010 as part of the Curran Block development, provides facilities for team sports. Football, netball, cricket and athletics are offered as part of the mainstream programme. The oversubscribed demand for places (2.83 applications per place at Year 7 entry) reflects broad appeal, but does not signal a selective school; non-selective admission means students arrive with varying sporting aptitude, and provision aims to engage all.

STEM and Technology

The school holds specialist status in humanities, but computer technology is embedded throughout. The ICT facilities, housed in the modern Curran Block, reflect the school's commitment to technological literacy. The school actively harnesses new computer technologies, as stated in curriculum documentation, to ensure students develop competence in this essential area.

Clubs and Enrichment

The school offers structured clubs and enrichment across key stages. Young Apprentice is particularly popular, developing enterprise skills. Youth Club provides community. Latin is available as a club choice for interested pupils, reflecting breadth. Drama clubs and sports clubs run throughout the year. Sixth formers report "many clubs and enrichment activities on offer," and leadership roles are distributed widely, from community service to event planning.

The school magazine, The Dragon, has been published termly since 2006 and is written collaboratively by staff and pupils, creating a voice for the community.

Oxbridge and Russell Group Pathways

A small number of pupils progress to Oxbridge annually. In 2023/2024 cohort, six students applied to Oxbridge, with one offer and one subsequent acceptance. Russell Group universities are represented in annual university destinations, though precise percentages are not published on the school website. The religious studies department, as an example, hosts Russell Group university speakers who visit to discuss pathways, signalling to all students that competitive university entry is possible.

St George's is non-selective, admitting pupils by distance in the Westminster local authority's coordinated secondary admissions scheme. The school is substantially oversubscribed: the latest data shows 584 applications for approximately 206 places at primary entry, representing a subscription ratio of 2.83:1. This strong demand reflects the school's reputation and location.

For Year 7 entry, the governing body intends to admit 180 pupils in 2025-26. Applications are made through the Pan-London e-admissions portal by 31 October in the year preceding entry. Applicants must also return a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to the school's admissions office. After allocation of places to looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, remaining places are allocated strictly by distance from the school gates. No formal catchment boundary exists, but in practice, admission is confined to families within walking distance or very short travel time.

The sixth form admits both internal pupils from Year 11 and external applicants. Entry requirements for A-level study are typically GCSE grades 5 or above in the subject intended at A-level, though flexibility exists for strong students. The sixth form is smaller and more selective than the main school, which is appropriate given the demands of A-level study.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school is located on Lanark Road in Maida Vale (postcode W9 1RB), close to central London and accessible by bus and the District Line Underground. Parking locally is limited given the Westminster location.

Pupils are expected to wear uniform: traditional blazer, tie and trousers or skirt. Musical instrument tuition is available for an additional fee to families.

The school employs dedicated pastoral structures. Tutor groups are small, typically 6-8 pupils per group, enabling staff to notice when a student is struggling. Key Stage 4 sees increased support around exam preparation and sixth form progression planning.

The school has invested in counselling provision; a trained counsellor visits regularly to support students managing emotional or personal difficulty. The SENCO works four days per week and coordinates support for pupils on the SEN register. The school holds specialist SEN training and works actively to include students with additional needs into mainstream classrooms.

Behaviour is expected to be respectful and purposeful. Discipline is applied fairly but firmly. The school's Catholic values framework — including love, service, charity, community, temperance, peace, faith, prayer, justice, integrity, courage and hope — underpins the pastoral approach. These are not ornamental values but lived principles embedded in decision-making.

Highly oversubscribed entry. With 2.83 applications per place, securing a spot is highly competitive. Distance from the school gates is the primary criterion. Families should realistically assess their proximity and not rely on this school without living very close to Lanark Road. The last distance offered data is not provided in publicly available admissions data, but experience suggests entry is confined to families within approximately 0.5 miles or less.

Outstanding rating is from 2010; a more recent inspection occurred under the new Ofsted framework. Ofsted inspections of state-funded schools no longer produce an overall effectiveness grade as of September 2024. The most recent inspection occurred after this change, meaning the Outstanding rating is over a decade old. The school's current standing should be verified by consulting the latest Ofsted report directly on the Ofsted website.

Catholic identity is authentic and pervasive. The school's religious character is genuine. Daily mass, prayer, and explicit Catholic teaching are woven throughout. Families uncomfortable with this should look elsewhere, even if academically attracted. The school welcomes families of all faiths and none, but does not minimise its Catholic mission to accommodate different perspectives.

Sixth form is franchised from St Thomas More Catholic School. Sixth form students technically belong to the franchise partner, which affects governance and some staffing decisions. This arrangement works well operationally but is a structural point to understand. The quality of sixth form teaching is good, but the model is different from traditional in-house sixth forms.

Where Students Go Next

The 2023-24 cohort data shows that 54% of leavers progressed to university, 19% entered employment, 7% began apprenticeships, and 2% progressed to further education. The remaining percentage pursued other routes including gap years.

University destinations, whilst not exhaustively published by the school, include King's College London, UCL, Bath, Edinburgh, and Imperial College based on recent university announcements. One student reached Cambridge to study natural sciences; another reached King's College London for biomedical sciences. These are not atypical; they represent the normal range of competitive university entry achieved by the school's most able cohort.

The apprenticeship pathway is formally supported. Year 11 pupils explore apprenticeship options through targeted careers support, and the Young Apprentice club develops enterprise mindset from secondary onwards.

St George's Catholic School exemplifies how a comprehensive state secondary, serving a genuinely diverse community in one of London's most economically mixed boroughs, can deliver genuinely strong academic outcomes whilst maintaining strong Catholic values and broad access. The school combines academic rigour with inclusive practice. It has a clear sense of purpose and a culture of visible leadership, from the principal through to sixth form prefects. Results are solid and authentic; the school does not game statistics but provides a broad, challenging curriculum to students of all starting points.

The school suits families seeking a rigorous Catholic education in a genuinely comprehensive environment, for whom strong academics matter but where community, values and inclusion matter equally. It is best suited to families living close to Maida Vale, as distance-based admissions make it inaccessible to those living far away. For families able to access it, St George's delivers excellent value: first-class education entirely free, in a school with genuine leadership and serious academic ambition.