St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School Review 2026: England's Unique Selective Catholic School

When the Bernardine Cistercian Sisters arrived in Slough in 1897, fleeing religious persecution in France, they transformed Aldin House into a school for just fourteen girls. Over a century later, that small academy has become something extraordinary: a rare co-educational Catholic grammar school in the entire country. Today, with nearly 1,200 students aged 11 to 18, St Bernard's stands as a fully selective state school that combines exceptional academic rigour with genuine Catholic values.

The November 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding grades across all areas, with inspectors noting that students "respond enthusiastically to the school's drive for excellence and high expectations." Recent GCSE results place the school in the top 4% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), while A-level performance sits solidly within the top 25% (FindMySchool data). The motto Dieu Mon Abri (God is my Shelter) encapsulates the school's character: academically ambitious yet personally nurturing. For selective entry, St Bernard's draws from a wide area within the Slough grammar school consortium, and competition for the 150 annual places remains intense.

Step through the gates at drop-off and the atmosphere is immediately purposeful. Students move between lessons with calm direction. The physical campus blends the Victorian heritage of Aldin House with practical modern additions, including a sports hall, dance studio, technology facilities, and tennis, netball, and basketball courts. The five houses—Annay, Clairvaux, Cîteaux, La Plaine, and Rievaulx—each named after Benedictine monasteries in honour of the founding sisters, provide a structured sense of community despite the school's size.

Mr Paul Kassapian MA leads the school as Headmaster. Under his direction since his appointment in 2020, the institution has maintained its historic reputation while evolving to meet contemporary educational needs. The staff are clearly invested in students' development beyond examinations. Inspectors during the 2023 visit specifically praised the school as "a kind and inclusive community where everyone matters," with pupils demonstrating the Catholic values of "love, forgiveness and compassion."

The Catholic character is pervasive without being exclusive. Students of all faiths learn here, though admittance involves demonstrating understanding of Catholic ethos. The chapel, at the heart of school life, hosts Mass and collective worship throughout the year. A dedicated chaplaincy team supports student spiritual development. Year 10 students undertake a residential trip to Rome, visiting the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Catacombs, and Jewish Museum, grounding religious education in lived experience.

The pastoral care system operates through form groups within the five houses, with tutors knowing students intimately. Mental health support is explicit and accessible. Students interviewed by Ofsted inspectors noted that staff "place a strong focus on mental health and well-being." The school's Guardian Angels Day—when Year 13 students run the school completely, organise staff entertainment, and present theatrical parodies—demonstrates trust and reciprocal respect between staff and students.

GCSE Performance

At GCSE, St Bernard's achieves results that consistently outstrip national averages. In the latest published metrics, 72% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9–7 (top A* and A grades). This compares to the England average of 54%, placing the school well above typical performance. The English Baccalaureate pass rate (grades 5 or above across English, mathematics, sciences, and humanities) sits at 82%, again substantially above the national typical of 41%.

The school ranks 184th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 4%. Locally within Slough, it ranks 3rd among secondary schools. Progress 8 scores of +0.93 indicate that students make above-average progress relative to their starting points, reflecting the school's success in developing all learners, not merely those who arrive with the highest prior attainment.

A-Level Performance

A-level results maintain strong standards. In 2024, approximately 67% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-B, with 11% at A* alone. This exceeds the England average significantly. The school ranks 491st in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools. Within Slough, it ranks 4th. Subjects offered include the full traditional range (English Literature, History, Geography, Classical Civilisation, Languages, Sciences, Mathematics) alongside modern options like Psychology and Art.

Teaching is described by Ofsted inspectors as characterised by "expert subject knowledge" and "stimulating activities and resources." Lessons observed during inspection involved students working in groups, presenting findings to peers, and engaging in rigorous question-and-answer exchanges. Teachers vary pace intentionally and respond to student interests without compromising academic rigour.

The curriculum is organised into eight faculties with a core of Personal, Health and Social Education, Literacy, Numeracy, and explicit teaching of Catholic values. Latin is compulsory in Year 7. By Year 8, students choose from French, Latin, Japanese, and Spanish, allowing genuine linguistic choice. A broad suite of options at GCSE ensures that most subjects taught at Key Stage 3 can be continued. For Sixth Form entry, subject-specific requirements are defined (typically grades 6 or above at GCSE in subjects taken further, with some disciplines requiring higher).

The school collaborates with Upton Court Grammar School to provide access to wider A-level choices, such as Computing, not staffed on-site. This partnership reflects pragmatic curriculum management rather than limitation.

University Progression

In 2024, 74% of leavers progressed to university, with a further 4% entering apprenticeships and 8% direct employment. These figures are sourced directly from Department for Education leaver destination data. The university pipeline is notably strong: five students secured places at Oxford, one at Cambridge, producing a combined Oxbridge acceptance rate of 5 from 29 applications (17%) in the measurement period. Beyond Oxbridge, students consistently secure places at Russell Group universities, with particularly strong representation at Durham, Edinburgh, LSE, Bristol, and Warwick. One student entry gained medical school acceptance in the measured period.

The school's sixth form, which retains approximately 90% of Year 11 students, positions itself as a serious pathway to research-intensive universities. Sixth form students benefit from dedicated careers guidance focused on university applications, with formal UCAS induction and targeted support for competitive courses.

Post-Secondary Destinations

The vast majority of Year 11 students remain at school for the sixth form. This internal progression is both a strength (continuity, peer familiarity) and something families should note if seeking external sixth form options. For those exiting post-GCSE, grammar schools in the Slough Consortium, local further education colleges, and schools with sixth forms across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire provide alternatives.

The extracurricular offer is extensive, with active student participation across sport, music, drama, and academic enrichment. The school maintains a sophisticated programme of enrichment activities that supports learning and develops lifelong learners, as stated in official curriculum documentation.

Sports

Facilities include a sports hall, dance studio, and courts for tennis, netball, and basketball. Teams compete in football, rugby, volleyball, netball, athletics, cricket, and gymnastics. The school hosts both recreational and competitive opportunities. Friday night fixtures—particularly rugby—are a fixture of school life. Year 7 intake assessments include physical education to identify emerging talent for specialist pathways, though participation in some sport is expected of all.

Music and Drama

Music provision is significant. Student ensembles include a chapel choir, orchestra, and smaller chamber groups. Drama involves multiple productions annually, with sixth formers traditionally presenting extensive theatrical works during Guardian Angels Day. This school-wide theatrical event has evolved from lengthy stage productions to edited filmed versions but remains emblematic of creative investment.

Clubs and Societies

Named clubs found within school documentation include Film Club, Rubik's Cube Club, Magazine Club, Drama Club, Art Club Justice & Peace, RE Film Club, Alpha Club, Science Eco Committee, and Debating Club. The Debating Society is particularly active, with students participating in regional and national competitions. A student magazine provides creative outlet for writing and design. The RE Film Club allows religious education exploration through cinema.

For science-minded students, the Science Eco Committee links environmental awareness to school practices and local initiatives. The Alpha Club represents a space for Christian reflection, open to interested students of all faiths.

Languages and Cultural Enrichment

Beyond the standard language curriculum, the school arranges annual trips to Italy, France, Spain, and (for some cohorts) New York and other destinations. A Year 10 trip to Rome for religious studies, documented by the school, exposes students to historical sites, artistic treasures, and interfaith dialogue in situ.

Leadership and Service

Students hold formal positions of responsibility through a junior management team drawn from sixth form. Older students lead clubs for younger cohorts. Service-learning includes volunteer work with local refugee support groups and primary schools, consistent with Catholic social teaching integration across the curriculum.

Entry to St Bernard's is highly selective. The school accepts 150 pupils at Year 7 from approximately 1,000 applications—a ratio of roughly 6.8 applicants per place—making it heavily oversubscribed. Admission is based on the 11+ entrance examination administered jointly by the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools (which includes Herschel, Langley, and Upton Court grammars).

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must achieve a standardised score of 111 or above, equivalent to the top third of the examination's outcome range. Beyond this threshold, oversubscription criteria determine place allocation. Catholic children with a priest's reference receive priority; then other Catholic children; then other Christian denominations with religious leader references; then children from other faiths. Within each band, distance from school becomes the tiebreaker.

The open evening typically occurs in September. Induction occurs in July for successful candidates. A supplementary form must accompany the main local authority common application form to activate the Catholic oversubscription criteria.

Sixth form entry is open to external candidates meeting subject-specific requirements (typically grade 6 minimum at GCSE, sometimes grade 7 for demanding subjects). Around 70% of Year 11 students progress internally; external candidates fill remaining places.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm (confirmed from school calendar documentation). Transport links include Slough bus station (0.2 miles) and Slough train station (0.5 miles), both within walking distance. The school operates a café serving lunch; students may bring packed lunches. Uniform is compulsory (requirements available on the school website). No nursery or early years provision exists on site.

The school fund operates on a voluntary contribution basis. Trips, particularly those overseas, incur additional costs, though bursaries and hardship support exist. Uniform, PE kit, and musical instrument hire (for those lacking personal instruments) involve separate expense.

The inspection report specifically highlighted the "warm and calm atmosphere across the school." Pastoral care is described as "outstanding—thoughtful, sensitive and well organised." Each student has a dedicated form tutor within their house structure. Form tutors know students intimately and maintain ongoing contact about academic progress and personal development.

A dedicated SENCO coordinates support for the 5% of students requiring special educational needs support (well below England average, reflecting the selective nature). For these students, differentiated lessons and targeted additional teaching are provided. Sixth formers act as peer mentors to younger students with identified needs.

Mental health support is explicit. Staff training in mental health awareness is prioritised. A counsellor is available for one-to-one work. Inspectors noted that students feel adults care about them; in the 2011 inspection, every student responding felt that "adults care about them," a rare unanimous finding.

The school's Catholic ethos, centred on respect, dignity, and the inherent worth of each person created in God's image, permeates pastoral provision. Prayer, reflection, and collective worship are daily practices. This is not secular pastoral care; faith-based frameworks are genuine.

Selective entry is demanding. With 6.8 applications per place, competition is fierce. The 11+ examination tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and mathematics at a level designed to identify top-third performers. Families should prepare seriously and verify that their child genuinely wishes selective education, rather than entering for status alone.

Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily Mass, weekly chapel services, religious education woven throughout the curriculum, and explicit Catholic social teaching integration mean this is a school that takes faith seriously. Families uncomfortable with regular religious practice should look elsewhere.

No on-site early years or nursery provision. Families with younger siblings cannot use the school for entire family education from reception level.

Location and travel. While close to Slough train and bus stations, the school draws students across Slough, Berkshire, and beyond. Long travel times (some students report 45 minutes to an hour each way) are typical for grammar school catchments and should be factored into decision-making.

Grammar school expectations. The peer group consists entirely of students who performed in the top third of an 11+ examination. This creates uniformly high-achieving cohorts but also peer pressure around achievement. Students who arrive and do not immediately excel must adjust to being not the "brightest" for the first time.

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School represents an entirely unique educational offering: a state-funded, fully selective, Catholic, co-educational grammar school. Results are consistently strong, teaching is of high quality, and the atmosphere combines academic ambition with genuine pastoral care rooted in faith.

The school is best suited to students who perform well at 11+ assessment, who can thrive in selective environments where peers are similarly gifted, and whose families are comfortable with a Catholic identity permeating school life. The journey into the sixth form is particularly strong, with clear university pathways and student progress beyond.

The main barrier to entry is competition. Selection is rigorous and selective. However, for families securing a place who embrace the school's Catholic mission and academic expectations, the educational experience is reported—by students, parents, and inspectors alike—as exceptional. The Bernardine values of prayer, service, and vocation, maintained since 1897, remain lived practices rather than historical relics.