St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy Review 2026: Faith, Character, and Community in Stoke-on-Trent

A Roman Catholic mixed secondary school rooted in the English Martyrs tradition, St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy stands in Tunstall as part of a heritage stretching back to 1957. The school's namesake, Saint Margaret Ward, was an English Martyr who refused to renounce her faith during the Reformation; that sense of conviction and integrity shapes the academy's character today. At 1,162 students aged 11-18, the school serves the Catholic community of northern Stoke-on-Trent, drawing roughly equal numbers of boys and girls. The 2021 Ofsted inspection rated the school Good, reflecting a consistent focus on academic progress alongside strong pastoral care. In 2023-24, 56% of leavers progressed to university, while 11% started apprenticeships. With an Attainment 8 score of 41.2 and A-level results showing 46% achieving A*-B grades, St Margaret Ward sits within the middle 35% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), suggesting solid performance in line with the national typical band rather than exceptional standing.

Walking through the Little Chell Lane gates in Tunstall reveals a school earnestly committed to its Catholic character. The atmosphere reflects both rigour and compassion. Students wear uniforms with evident pride. Staff clearly know their pupils individually, not as cohort statistics. The school's three patron saints — Margaret Ward, John Henry Newman, and Jean Baptiste de la Salle — anchor everything from the welcome in the main reception to the curriculum design. This is not performative Catholicism; Mass features regularly in school life, the chaplaincy team meets students weekly, and the daily rhythm includes prayer. The 1719 Society, named after the year de la Salle founded his teaching community, organizes charitable initiatives including recent shoebox appeals for international aid. That blend of rigour and social responsibility feels genuinely embedded.

Mr Dominic McKenna, who became Principal in February 2018, has built a leadership team that balances traditional Catholic values with contemporary education. The school is part of the St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (formerly the Newman Catholic Collegiate), a structure that provides governance support while allowing St Margaret Ward its distinct local identity.

The sixth form offers a unique arrangement: students from Years 12 and 13 join the Trinity Sixth Form partnership, a collaboration with St John Fisher Catholic College and St Thomas More Catholic Academy. This creates a broader sixth form community and expands subject choice.

GCSE Performance

At GCSE, 43% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in English and mathematics, marking a key threshold for many university and apprenticeship routes. The school's Attainment 8 score of 41.2 compares against an England average of approximately 46, placing students' overall performance slightly below the national mean. The Progress 8 score of -0.44 indicates students made slightly less progress between Year 2 and Year 11 than their peers nationally, suggesting the school's intake started at lower baseline attainment and made incremental gains within that context.

St Margaret Ward ranks 2,519th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool data), placing it in the national typical band (middle 35% of schools). Locally in Stoke-on-Trent, it ranks 11th among secondary schools, a middling position reflecting a diverse school population where many pupils enter from primary schools with varied preparation.

English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entries stood at 14%, below the England average of 41%, suggesting the school does not systematically push students toward this broader qualification structure.

A-Level Performance

In the sixth form, results improve noticeably. The 2023-24 cohort achieved 46% A*-B grades, compared to the England average of 47%. At A-level, 3% achieved A*, 10% achieved A, and 33% achieved B. These figures suggest solid academic work in line with national expectations rather than exceptional performance. The school ranks 1,574th in England for A-level results (FindMySchool), again placing it within the national typical band.

Students access a broad range of A-level subjects, including Government and Politics, a subject offered at relatively few state schools. Psychology, History, Business Studies, and Health and Social Care feature alongside traditional subjects. The Fidei Tutor system, inherited from the Lasallian tradition, pairs dedicated staff with small groups of sixth formers to support both academic progress and pastoral wellbeing.

University Destinations

In the 2023-24 cohort, 56% of leavers progressed to university, while 11% entered apprenticeships and 19% went directly into employment. The school records one confirmed Cambridge place in recent years, reflecting occasional entry to the most selective institutions, though this remains uncommon. Beyond Oxbridge, the school's leaver destinations spread across a range of universities, with particular interest in teacher training and healthcare courses.

The school operates a knowledge-centred curriculum informed by its Lasallian heritage and the principle of "Teaching minds, touching hearts, transforming lives." This philosophy translates into classroom practice that balances rigorous content delivery with pastoral attention to individual students. Lessons across the school tend toward structured delivery, clear expectations, and consistent assessment. The curriculum integrates religious education from Year 7 through the sixth form, positioning Catholic theology and ethics as part of mainstream study rather than separate provision.

Art, Design and Technology, Drama, and Music all feature prominently. The 2025 Christmas Concert showcased the breadth of musical talent across the academy; the school's orchestra, choir, and jazz band appear regularly in school communications. Multiple students have successfully auditioned for prestigious national ensembles, including the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, suggesting genuine music teaching depth.

Drama similarly receives investment, with student-led productions throughout the year. Science is taught as three separate disciplines (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) from Year 9, allowing specialist teaching and laboratory-based practical work. Information and Communication Technology shares curriculum time with Business Studies and Computer Science, reflecting the school's commitment to digital literacy and enterprise skills.

The extracurricular programme reflects the school's values and local context.

Music & Performance

The school's musical life extends well beyond the classroom. An orchestra, choir, and jazz band represent the main ensembles, with students participating in performances at Christmas concerts and across the school year. Individual instrument tuition is available, and several students progress to ABRSM examinations. The brass band tradition has particular strength, evidenced by successful auditions to the National Youth Brass Band. Drama productions run throughout the year, integrating music and technical design as well as acting and script work.

Sports & Physical Activity

Physical education forms a core curriculum subject. Football, netball, rugby, and cricket feature as mainstream school sports; multiple teams compete in local leagues and inter-school fixtures. The curriculum includes a broader range of activities: dance, gymnastics, athletics, and outdoor education. Duke of Edinburgh Awards are available, with students pursuing Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. The school's facilities support these activities, though specific facility names and dimensions are not prominently highlighted in publicly available materials.

Clubs & Societies

The school hosts multiple societies organized around academic and social interests. The 1719 Society organizes charitable work and social justice activities. SHARP (the school's behaviour and pastoral tracking system) incorporates student leadership opportunities. The Student Council provides voice in school governance. Subject-specific clubs support learning in Mathematics, Science, Computing, and English, though precise club names vary with staffing and student interest year to year.

Careers & Enterprise

The school maintains strong links with employers, particularly in healthcare and education sectors. Future First, an organization connecting students with alumni mentors, helps sixth formers navigate career decision-making. The careers programme integrates work experience, guest speakers, and university visits. Sixth form students access a dedicated careers advisor and support with UCAS applications.

Charitable & Community Work

The 1719 Society's work exemplifies the school's emphasis on social responsibility. Recent initiatives included a shoebox appeal for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child, demonstrating engagement with international development. The school's position within the Lasallian network reinforces concern for the poor and social justice as foundational values, not afterthoughts.

Progression to University

Just over half of sixth form leavers progress to university (56% in 2023-24). Subject patterns suggest particular interest in teacher training, nursing, and allied health professions. The school provides structured UCAS support through dedicated staff and the Fidei Tutor system. One Cambridge place was recorded, though Oxbridge remains relatively rare; the vast majority of destinations lie within broader university portfolios including regional and post-92 institutions. Students frequently choose universities within the English Midlands and North West, reflecting both travel accessibility and regional family connections.

Apprenticeships & Employment

11% of the 2023-24 cohort entered apprenticeships, a substantial proportion reflecting the school's willingness to support vocational pathways alongside academic progression. A further 19% moved directly into employment, often with employer training schemes in sectors like retail, hospitality, and logistics. The careers programme explicitly validates these pathways, not positioning them as second-tier options.

St Margaret Ward operates as a non-selective Catholic academy under the governance of the St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Sixth Form Entry

Entry to the sixth form is open to both internal progression (Year 11 to Year 12) and external applicants. Students join the Trinity Sixth Form partnership. Typical entry requirements align with GCSE performance: a grade 4 pass in English and Mathematics is standard, with specific subjects requiring higher grades depending on the A-level discipline. The sixth form prioritizes academic progression alongside genuine interest in chosen subjects.

Year 7 Admissions

Year 7 entry is oversubscribed, with approximately 439 applications for 209 places (FindMySchool data), representing a subscription proportion of 2.1 applications per available place. This indicates modest but not extreme competition. Admissions prioritize Catholic families and those with siblings already at the school, reflecting the school's role as a denominational Catholic academy. Families must apply through Stoke-on-Trent's local authority coordinated admissions scheme, not directly to the school.

A transition programme for Year 6 pupils includes a dedicated "Friendship Day," summer school sessions, and Year 5 lessons to ease the move from primary to secondary. The school works carefully to identify pupils with additional needs and arrange suitable support before arrival.

School hours run from 8:50am to 3:15pm Monday to Friday. A breakfast club operates from before school start, supporting families with early working patterns or travel constraints. After-school supervised study time is available. The school day includes structured tutor time in the morning, a substantial lunch period with dining facilities, and afternoon academic sessions. A school uniform is compulsory, with clear dress code expectations detailed in the parent handbook (black shoes, no branded footwear, regulation blazer and tie for boys, regulation blazer and skirt or trousers for girls).

A holiday support scheme (Nacro Holiday Support) exists to assist families facing cost-of-living pressures during school holidays. Free school meals are available for eligible families; current take-up stands at approximately 32% of pupils.

The school is located on Little Chell Lane in Tunstall, north Stoke-on-Trent, with reasonable public transport access via local bus routes. Parking for parents is limited, as is typical for urban secondary schools.

The school's pastoral structure operates through form tutor relationships paired with the Lasallian Fidei Tutor system in the sixth form. Each tutor group comprises 25-30 students, allowing reasonable opportunity for one-to-one contact. The sixth form Fidei Tutors provide additional academic and pastoral support, mentoring students through their A-level journey and beyond.

A dedicated safeguarding team, led by trained Designated Safeguarding Leads, maintains vigilance around student welfare and protection from harm. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are supported through school counselling provision (on-site counsellor available), peer support schemes, and staff training in trauma-informed practice.

Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. Sanctions progress from verbal reminders through to fixed-term exclusion for serious misconduct. Restorative approaches feature alongside traditional discipline, attempting to repair relationships and help students understand impact. Attendance is monitored closely, with persistent absence flagged to families and, where necessary, local authority education welfare services.

The Catholic ethos infuses pastoral care: reconciliation (the Sacrament of Confession) is offered regularly, prayer is integrated into tutor time, and the chaplaincy team provides spiritual accompaniment. Sixth formers benefit from dedicated support around university applications, including mock interviews and subject-specific mentoring.

Academic progress varies by cohort. The Progress 8 score of -0.44 indicates students on average make below-expected progress from their Key Stage 2 baseline. This reflects the school's diverse intake: many pupils arrive at Year 7 with lower primary attainment, and the school works within those constraints. Families seeking strong value-added progress may find this metric worth examining alongside absolute grades.

Not exceptional at GCSE. With Attainment 8 slightly below the England average and a national rank of 2,519th (middle band), St Margaret Ward is a solid mainstream secondary rather than a high-performing outlier. Families aspiring to selective sixth forms or very competitive universities should evaluate whether the school's typical A-level outcomes align with their aspirations.

Oversubscribed for Year 7 entry. At 2.1 applications per place, admission is competitive. Catholic families have priority. Others may face uncertainty, particularly as they approach the distance deadline (which varies annually and is not published in advance).

Strong Catholic character requires comfort with faith integration. The school genuinely embeds Catholicism throughout: daily prayer, regular Mass, explicit religious education, and chaplaincy presence are not peripheral. Families uncomfortable with explicit religious teaching should assess carefully whether this school's ethos aligns with their values and wishes.

St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy is a competently run, values-driven secondary school that serves its local Catholic community with integrity and genuine care. Results sit in line with the national average rather than exceeding it; progress measures suggest students make incremental gains within a mixed-ability cohort. The sixth form arrangement through the Trinity partnership broadens opportunity beyond what the school alone could offer. Leadership is steady and focused on both academic outcomes and character development.

The school suits families seeking a Catholic secondary with strong pastoral support, intentional community life, and genuine commitment to social justice and service. It works well for students who benefit from structured routines, clear expectations, and one-to-one pastoral relationship building. It is not the choice for families seeking academic selectivity or rapid acceleration; it is the choice for families who value faith, stability, and a broad understanding of what education means beyond examination success.

The primary limitation is entry: competition for places and the oversubscription mean families must live locally or have a genuine Catholic commitment to secure admission. Once inside, pupils experience a school that genuinely knows them and is invested in their wellbeing as much as their grades.