St Francis of Assisi Catholic College Review 2026: Faith, Scholarship and Community in Walsall

Sitting in the suburban landscape of Aldridge, St Francis of Assisi Catholic College stands as a living expression of its motto, Nil Satis Optimum (Only the best is good enough). The school transforms this Latin principle into daily action, weaving together Catholic identity, academic ambition, and genuine pastoral care for its 1,100-strong community. GCSE results place the school solidly in the middle 35% of schools nationally, with an Attainment 8 score of 50.4, above the England average of 45.9. Entry remains fiercely competitive; in the most recent admissions cycle, the school received nearly 3.8 applications for every place available. For families within the Catholic admissions priority who value a school where tradition and academic progress walk hand in hand, this college warrants serious consideration.

The school operates as a genuine Catholic community, where faith is not ceremonial backdrop but integral to daily life. Collective worship happens regularly, and the Chapel serves as both spiritual centre and social hub. The sixth form hosts an annual Breast Cancer Awareness Week, raising funds for established charities, while individual pupils have organised boot-camp appeals for Armed Forces. This pattern of service reflects an ethos where religious values translate into practical action.

Mr Luke Salkeld leads the school, having taken the helm in October 2020 from Pauline Hanrahan. Under his stewardship, the school continues to emphasise three core expectations: manners, behaviour, and relationships. Staff model these standards deliberately, reinforcing them through explicit instruction. Parents and new students consistently report that the school feels orderly and respectful. Behaviour standards are high without appearing punitive. Teachers know pupils individually; pastoral connections run deep.

The physical environment supports this culture. While no specific architectural detail emerges from official sources, the school maintains dedicated spaces for worship, sport, performance, and learning. A Sports Hall, Multiple Use Games Area, Chapel, and dedicated performance spaces signal investment in breadth of experience.

GCSE Performance

In the most recent data available, GCSE Attainment 8 averaged 50.4, positioning the school above the national average of 45.9 (FindMySchool data). The school ranks 2227th in England for GCSE performance, placing it firmly in line with the middle 35% of schools nationally (FindMySchool ranking). Locally in Walsall, the school occupies 11th place among secondary schools, a solid but not elite position.

English pass rates (grades 5-9 in English and Mathematics) stand at 69%, a strong showing that positions the school in the top 33% nationally for this measure. Mathematics performance at 53% achieving grade 5 or above sits in the top 39% nationally. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) pass rate remains notably lower at just 5%, well below the national average of 17%, suggesting that whilst core academics are strong, uptake of the broader subject combination remains limited.

Progress 8 scores, which measure the progress pupils make from primary to secondary, sit at +0.1, slightly above zero. This indicates that pupils here, on average, make progress in line with national expectations given their starting points.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form delivers solid results. At A-level, 46% of grades achieve A*-B, marginally below the England average of 47%, indicating performance is in line with national norms (FindMySchool data). The school ranks 1274th in England for A-level outcomes, placing it in the middle 48% of schools nationally (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, the school ranks 4th among Walsall sixth forms, a respectable showing that reflects the competitive sixth form landscape.

Sixteen students completed their A-level programmes to completion in recent years, demonstrating stable sixth form cohort sizes. The qualification spread is broad, reflecting a school philosophy of offering genuine choice rather than forcing narrow specialisation.

The curriculum follows the English national framework across both key stages, complemented by choices that reflect the school's former specialist status in technology. Science is taught in separate disciplines rather than combined science, allowing greater depth in biology, chemistry, and physics. Languages provision includes both modern and classical options. A knowledge-rich approach dominates, with staff expected to demonstrate subject expertise. Departments are described by the school as strong and supportive, particularly in core subjects.

The school places explicit emphasis on what it calls a "bespoke induction and continuous professional development" programme for staff, designed to prevent new teachers feeling lost. This focus on staff development suggests a school culture where teaching quality is taken seriously as a collective responsibility, not left to individual effort.

Sixth form students benefit from dedicated pastoral structures. The school reports that it monitors sixth form progress systematically, and outcomes at age 18 are described as "above average" when accounting for attainment levels. Mental health support is actively offered to students, and the school runs First Aid courses and formal mental health training. A named chaplaincy team provides pastoral and spiritual guidance.

The student-teacher ratio stands at approximately 18:1, a figure in the top 23% nationally, indicating relatively favourable staffing levels for secondary education.

The school operates an extensive co-curricular programme grounded in the belief that talent should be nurtured and healthy lifestyles encouraged.

Sports and Physical Activity

The breadth of sports provision is notable. Teams operate in football, netball, basketball, rugby, volleyball, table tennis, cross-country running, gymnastics, trampolining, badminton, tennis, athletics, cricket, and rounders. The school has achieved considerable success at both local and regional level, with teams regularly competing in formal fixtures that take place most evenings of the week. The Sports Hall serves as the primary facility, with additional grass pitches and a Multiple Use Games Area providing outdoor space.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award runs to Gold level, indicating a structured progression pathway for those seeking personal development through outdoor challenge and service.

Drama and Performance

The school maintains an active Drama Club supported by dedicated spaces for performance. The existence of a Main Hall and Activity Hall suggests capacity for both rehearsal and full-scale performances. Drama provides a creative outlet for students across ability ranges.

Music and Creative Arts

Music clubs operate throughout the year, offering ensemble opportunities alongside individual instruction. The Chapel serves as both spiritual and musical space, suggesting that choral music may play a particular role in school life.

Academic Enrichment and Leadership

A Reading Club encourages a culture of literacy beyond the classroom. The History Club provides extension learning for those with deeper interest in the subject. Leadership programmes exist for upper students. The school also operates a Coding Club, reflecting the legacy of its technology specialism and contemporary emphasis on digital literacy.

Service and Spiritual Life

The Chaplaincy Team creates structured opportunities for service and reflection. Annual charity events include the sixth form-led Breast Cancer Awareness Week and other fundraising activities. This integration of charity work into school life models active citizenship to students.

St Francis of Assisi Catholic College is non-selective in its formal admissions process, meaning no entrance examination is required. Admission prioritises baptised Catholic children from Catholic primary schools within a defined area: Aldridge, Brownhills, Lichfield, Shelfield, Streetly, Tamworth, and Walsall. The school is oversubscribed; in recent data, 654 applications were received for 174 places, a ratio of 3.76 applications per place.

Families should be aware that securing a place here, unless a Catholic from a feeder primary, is genuinely challenging. After looked-after children and pupils with EHCPs naming the school, places go to baptised Catholic children, then to other Christian children, then to pupils of other faiths, then to those without religious affiliation. Those not within a Catholic priority category should treat entry as unlikely rather than likely.

The sixth form accepts both internal progression from Year 11 and external applicants. Entry requirements are not published here but are modest compared to selective schools. The sixth form offers genuine breadth of A-level subjects, with facilitating subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature, classical and modern languages) well represented.

In the most recent published data (2023-24 cohort), 61% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, 8% to apprenticeships, 21% to employment, and 1% to further education. The pathway to university is clearly the expected route for many, though the school maintains commitment to those seeking alternative routes.

Within sixth form destinations, external sources indicate that around 10% progress to what are termed "top third universities" by UCAS rankings, whilst 60% enter other universities. University progression overall is in line with national expectations for a school of this selective profile. The school has not published specific data on Russell Group or Oxbridge destinations, suggesting these numbers remain modest.

School operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm on standard days. The school is located on Erdington Road in Aldridge, Walsall, Staffordshire WS9 0RN. Public transport connections are available via local bus services. The school confirms that after-school care is available, though specific hours are not detailed in the review sources. Families should contact the school directly at 01922 740300 or postbox@stfrancis.cc for detailed information about supervision, breakfast club availability, and holiday care options.

Catholic faith expectation is genuine. This is a school where Catholic identity infuses daily practice, not merely decoration. Students participate regularly in collective worship and Mass. Religious education forms part of the curriculum. Families uncomfortable with an explicitly Catholic environment should consider whether this school aligns with their values, even if they meet admissions criteria.

Entry is highly competitive. With 3.76 applications per place and priority given to baptised Catholic children, families should not assume they will secure a place unless they meet the priority admissions criteria. Non-Catholics and those from outside the feeder primary area face particularly low odds. Families should plan alternatives carefully.

Progress 8 is in line with national norms, not above. Whilst GCSE attainment sits above average, the Progress 8 score of +0.1 indicates that pupils here make progress comparable to the national average when their starting points are taken into account. This is solid but not exceptional. Families expecting exceptional academic acceleration should consider alternatives.

EBacc uptake remains low. The 5% EBacc pass rate is significantly below national average, suggesting that many students do not study the broad subject combination of sciences, languages, and humanities together. This may limit future options for some students, particularly those considering competitive university courses. However, the alternative interpretation is that the school allows genuine choice and specialisation.

St Francis of Assisi Catholic College is a well-managed, genuinely faith-centred secondary school that delivers solid academic outcomes within a supportive community structure. The school's ethos, emphasising manners, behaviour, and relationships, translates into a calm, ordered environment. GCSE results exceed national averages, sixth form engagement is positive, and post-18 pathways are diverse and purposeful.

The school best suits Catholic families from the designated feeder primary schools who value a school where faith shapes daily experience and expectations are high but communitarian. It is equally suited to families living within the admissions priority area who seek a non-selective secondary where pupils are known as individuals and pastoral care is emphasised alongside academics.

Entry is the primary challenge. For those who secure places, the school delivers a balanced education alongside genuine attention to wellbeing and character development. For those unable to access places due to distance or faith criteria, the school's oversubscription means alternatives must be identified early.