St Augustine's Catholic High School Review 2026: Outstanding Achievement in a Mixed Community

The original Victorian school buildings, steeped in over a century of Catholic tradition, stand at the heart of a comprehensive secondary serving the Redditch area. St Augustine's was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023, a judgment reflecting both academic progress and the school's distinctive Catholic character. With an average Attainment 8 score of 50.3 and a Progress 8 score of +0.35, the school demonstrates that pupils make above-average progress from their starting points. The sixth form provides A-level study for approximately 200 students, with one pupil securing a Cambridge place in recent years. What distinguishes St Augustine's is not academic selection but consistent, deliberate progress: a state comprehensive that delivers outcomes placing it firmly within the top tier of its local authority and positioning students effectively for university entry.

St Augustine's occupies a mixed-age campus where the oldest buildings carry the weight of institutional memory while newer additions house modern teaching spaces. The atmosphere reflects a school confident in its role: serving all pupils regardless of starting point, with explicit expectation that every student will progress meaningfully by the end of Year 11.

The Catholic ethos permeates daily life without alienating non-Catholic families. Assembly includes prayer; religious education is taught across the curriculum; and the chapel serves both formal liturgy and quiet reflection. The school maintains close links with the local Catholic Diocese, and sixth-form theology students undertake visiting preachers programme. Yet families of all faiths and none are welcomed and respected. The chaplain is available for all students regardless of background, focusing on pastoral care and wellbeing.

The school's leadership, under its headteacher since 2019, has emphasised raising attainment across all year groups through focused intervention and high expectations. Staff stability is notable; many teachers have spent careers here, creating continuity and deep knowledge of the community. The behaviour policy emphasises restorative justice, and students describe feeling heard when issues arise.

Physical spaces reflect investment in learning. The library underwent refurbishment in 2022 and now serves as a social and academic hub. Science facilities include dedicated laboratories with updated equipment. The technology suite supports both GCSE computing and sixth-form IT studies. These are not showpiece facilities but purposeful, well-maintained spaces that support teaching.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the average Attainment 8 score of 50.3 sits slightly above the England average of 45.9, reflecting solid performance across the ability range. The Progress 8 score of +0.35 indicates pupils make above-average progress from their starting points at age 11, a particularly strong indicator in a comprehensive intake. This progress measure is more meaningful than raw grades, as it accounts for each pupil's prior attainment and identifies schools where progress is accelerated.

Approximately 16% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above across the English Baccalaureate (English, mathematics, science, languages, humanities), a figure above the England average. The average EBacc APS score of 4.48 similarly exceeds the national benchmark. These metrics suggest the school successfully encourages breadth of study and achievement across academic disciplines.

The school ranks 1st within Redditch and 1488th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the solid middle range nationally. This transparent positioning reflects a comprehensive school serving its community without selection, steadily improving outcomes year on year.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form serves approximately 200 students across two year groups. At A-level in 2024, 44% of grades achieved A*-B, a figure in line with the England average of 47%. The distribution — 2% achieving A*, 15% A, and 27% B — indicates strong performance from the highest-achieving students while solid grading across the cohort.

The school offers 24 A-level subjects, including English, mathematics, further mathematics, sciences, humanities, and modern languages. Geography, business studies, and psychology attract strong cohorts. Specialist subjects including law and philosophy are available, widening choice beyond traditional academic pathways.

The sixth form rank of 1548 in England (FindMySchool data) places the school in the middle range nationally. One student securing a Cambridge place in 2024 demonstrates that pathways to elite universities exist for exceptional candidates, though most progression is to universities outside the Russell Group.

Teaching follows clear structures. Lessons typically open with learning objectives displayed and explained. In observed lessons, pupils engage actively with their tasks, and teachers provide feedback that helps them understand what they have done well and what to improve. The school implements a consistent marking policy, with summative assessment every half-term.

Curriculum design emphasises both breadth and depth. In Key Stage 3, all pupils study core subjects including English, mathematics, sciences, modern languages, and humanities. Specialist teaching begins in Year 7, with subject experts delivering lessons rather than generalist primary-style teaching. In Key Stage 4, pupils select four option subjects alongside English, mathematics, sciences, and citizenship, creating a curriculum balance between academic and vocational routes.

The school has invested heavily in intervention. Pupils identified as falling behind in mathematics or English receive additional tuition, delivered both during school hours and after school. Sixth-form students support younger pupils through peer tutoring schemes. The school tracks progress termly against ambitious targets, and teachers respond quickly to pupils not on track.

Special educational needs are supported through a dedicated team. The SENCO works with classroom teachers to adapt curriculum access for pupils with identified needs, using a graduated response model before formal assessment for support.

Sixth Form Destinations and University Progression

In 2024, 48% of sixth-form leavers progressed to university. A further 33% entered employment, with 8% beginning apprenticeships and 2% pursuing further education. These pathways reflect the breadth of post-18 routes available.

University destinations cluster around teaching, nursing, and engineering programmes. Recent leavers have secured places at universities including Birmingham, Coventry, and Aston. One student secured a Cambridge place in recent years, though this remains a singular achievement rather than regular pattern.

The school emphasises from Year 12 that university is one pathway among many. For students pursuing apprenticeships, the school works with local employers and combined degree-apprenticeship schemes. Those entering employment receive careers guidance to ensure roles match their interests and qualifications.

Key Stage 4 Destinations

Most pupils progress to the school's sixth form, approximately 60% of the Year 11 cohort. Others move to local sixth form colleges, vocational study, or apprenticeships. The school tracks these pupils and maintains relationships with receiving institutions to ensure smooth transition.

The school's extracurricular programme balances competitive opportunities with inclusive participation, ensuring students of all abilities find activities that engage them.

Music: A Developing Strength

Music provision has expanded significantly in recent years. The school orchestra meets weekly and performs twice annually at whole-school concerts. The school choir, rehearsing Thursday lunchtimes, has performed at local Catholic events and taken part in diocesan services. Jazz ensemble meets after school and features prominently in summer concerts. Student musicians undertake individual lessons through the school's music tuition programme, with visiting specialists teaching strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion.

The annual production combines drama and music. Recent productions have included Guys and Dolls and Oliver!, involving approximately 80 students in performance, technical, and backstage roles. The production involves a live orchestra, ensemble rehearsals, and professional-standard staging. Sixth-form students take leading roles, while younger pupils develop skills in supporting capacity.

Drama: Engaging All Ages

Beyond the annual production, drama is offered as a GCSE option and features strongly in the curriculum. Year 9 pupils undertake a drama module exploring theatrical traditions. GCSE drama students design sets, create lighting plots, and perform devised pieces. The school theatre, refurbished in 2021, accommodates 250 audience members and includes proper dressing rooms and technical facilities.

Sixth-form students work with professional visiting practitioners to explore contemporary drama practice, including site-specific theatre and verbatim drama techniques.

STEM and Technology Excellence

The STEM curriculum engages students through practical application and competition entry. The school operates a robotics club competing in local competitions, building autonomous vehicles and competing in engineering challenges. The engineering club provides hands-on building experience, recently constructing catapults and bridge models. The computer science club introduces sixth-formers to coding practices and cybersecurity awareness.

Science clubs include a biology club focusing on fieldwork and ecology, and the chemistry club undertaking extended practicals beyond the curriculum. Sixth-form students participate in STEM talks delivered by visiting scientists from local universities. The school entered the FIRST robotics competition, with pupils designing and building robots competing against sixth-form teams from schools nationwide.

Sports: Broad Participation and Excellence

Sports facilities include a floodlit astroturf pitch, used for hockey and football throughout the year. The school has outdoor tennis courts and a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Water polo and swimming use the nearby leisure centre through partnership arrangement.

Competitive teams in football, netball, and athletics achieve success at district and regional level. The school fields both boys' and girls' teams, with sixth-form students supporting younger team coaching. Annual sports day creates fixture competition across houses. An orienteering club trains for regional competitions.

Other Clubs and Societies

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates at bronze and silver levels, with Year 9 pupils typically completing bronze and sixth-formers undertaking silver. Pupils undertake walking expeditions and develop leadership skills through expedition planning.

The debating society meets fortnightly, with members competing in local schools' debating competitions. The Catholic society organises visits to places of pilgrimage and prepares students for the Sacraments. The young entrepreneurs club supports students entering business competitions. A film club discusses and critiques cinema across different genres. The mathematics challenge club trains pupils for the UK Mathematics Trust competition.

Reading groups in English meet weekly, selecting contemporary and classic literature for discussion. Science ambassadors from Year 12 visit primary schools, delivering engaging science demonstrations. The school newspaper, Augustine Voice, published termly, includes student journalism and photography.

Entry to Year 9 (age 13) is through the local authority's coordinated admissions system. The school follows standard oversubscription criteria: Catholic pupils with practicing faith documented through the Certificate of Catholic Practice, then other Catholic pupils, then pupils with siblings at the school, then other pupils by distance from the school.

Admission to sixth form is open to all pupils achieving 4 or above (pass grade) in English and mathematics at GCSE, or equivalent qualifications. Internal pupils from Year 11 are guaranteed a place if meeting entry requirements; external candidates compete for remaining spaces. Approximately 150 external students join the sixth form annually, creating a cohort of around 200.

The school welcomes all families regardless of faith background. Non-Catholic pupils thrive alongside Catholic peers, and pastoral support respects individual beliefs. The admission process can accommodate questions about how faith integration works for families new to Catholic education.

School day runs from 8:30am to 3:10pm. Sixth-form students may have non-contact periods within the day for independent study. The school does not offer before or after-school care, though students can access homework club for focused study.

Transport connections are good. Redditch railway station is approximately 20 minutes' walk, and the school sits on local bus routes. Parking is available for staff and sixth-form students; limited parent parking operates near the gate.

Uniform is required for Key Stages 3 and 4, with sixth-form students able to wear business attire. PE kits are required on practical lesson days.

Every pupil belongs to a form group with a form tutor meeting them daily. The form tutor is the first port of call for concerns. Year leaders oversee year groups and liaise with parents regarding progress and behaviour.

The school employs a full-time counsellor available for pupils experiencing emotional or personal difficulties. Mental health awareness is integrated across the curriculum, with assemblies and wellbeing weeks addressing topics including anxiety, resilience, and healthy relationships.

Anti-bullying policy is clearly communicated, and pupils are encouraged to report concerns to staff. The school investigates reports promptly and takes restorative approaches, bringing together those involved to resolve conflicts.

Safeguarding is taken seriously. All staff undergo child protection training, and the designated safeguarding team manages concerns following statutory guidance. The school works closely with local authority children's services and police when needed.

Catholic character is genuine and visible. The school's faith identity is not decorative; it shapes the curriculum, calendar, and daily rhythms. Pupils encounter explicit religious teaching and participate in liturgical celebrations. Families uncomfortable with this should ensure they understand expectations during the application process.

Progress measure rather than attainment leader. The Progress 8 score of +0.35 shows pupils advance faster than many school cohorts, but the raw attainment level places the school in the middle range nationally. Families comparing this school to highly selective schools or those in affluent areas should expect different baseline demographics and peer groups.

Limited Oxbridge progression. One Cambridge place in recent years reflects the school's intake and available resources. Families with children aiming for elite university entry should understand that additional support beyond the school may be necessary.

Catchment area considerations. As a non-selective comprehensive, the school draws from a wide geographic area. Pupils travel from across Redditch and surrounding villages, meaning journeys of up to 20 minutes are common. The school is not in the immediate town centre, and transport arrangements matter for students.

St Augustine's is a well-led comprehensive secondary delivering consistent progress and meaningful education within an explicit Catholic framework. The school's Outstanding Ofsted judgment reflects real strengths: pupils progress well from their starting points, behaviour is positive, and leadership has clear vision for improvement. For Catholic families seeking faith-integrated education, or for any family wanting a mixed-ability school with genuine pastoral care and reasonable academic outcomes, St Augustine's delivers. The sixth form provides accessible A-level study for students aiming for university, apprenticeship, or employment pathways. Best suited to families within the Redditch area comfortable with the school's Catholic ethos and seeking steady academic progress in a supportive community rather than intensive academic hothouse. The school represents good value within a state education system serving its community thoughtfully.