All Saints Catholic School York: Oldest Catholic School in England, Outstanding Results

Steeped in four centuries of Catholic heritage, All Saints Catholic School York traces its roots to 1686, when a Yorkshire businessman named Thomas Gascoigne donated £500 to help the Mary Ward Sisters establish the Bar Convent Girls School, making it the first Catholic girls' school in Britain. That same chapel, built secretly in 1769 by architect Thomas Atkinson with a hidden domed ceiling to disguise it from authorities during a time when Catholic worship remained illegal, still stands at the heart of the Lower Site today. The hand of Saint Margaret Clitherow rests in that chapel, a tangible connection to the martyrs for whom the adjacent English Martyrs Church is named.

Today, this split-site Catholic comprehensive school serves nearly 1,400 students across ages 11–18 in York, the only Catholic secondary school serving the region. The school's standing reflects both heritage and contemporary achievement. In 2024, Ofsted awarded the school Outstanding status, highlighting the caring nature of the community where "pupils are immensely proud to attend" and "care deeply for others". Results place the school in the top 25% nationally for both GCSE and A-level performance (FindMySchool data), with particularly strong A-level outcomes in facilitating subjects. The sixth form consistently outperforms the England average, and the school sent eight students to Oxford and Cambridge in recent admissions cycles.

Mrs Sharon Keelan-Beardsley, who became headteacher in September 2024, describes the school as a close-knit community united by the Catholic values of Faith, Love, and Unity. Her arrival follows the school's transition to academy status under the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust in May 2023, a change that has strengthened strategic alignment and resource sharing across a trust of 38 schools.

The atmosphere here is explicitly shaped by Catholic identity without excluding those of other faiths or none. Nearly all staff and students are Catholic, yet the school actively welcomes families of different belief backgrounds and serves a geographically diverse Catholic community stretching across Yorkshire parishes from York itself to Tadcaster, Pocklington, Malton, and Thirsk. This layered identity — rooted in faith but genuinely inclusive — defines daily life.

Pupils describe feeling genuinely valued. In recent student testimonials, sixth-formers speak of the school's "exceptional attention to students, both their struggles and successes" and note that quiet observers can flourish here and discover unexpected confidence. The coeducational environment (boys began joining in the mid-1970s) provides peer diversity without specialist gender education. Two-thirds of sixth form students arrive from other York secondaries, creating a fresh social dynamic at upper school entry.

The split-site structure — Lower Site on Nunnery Lane near historic Micklegate Bar for Years 7–9, Upper Site on Mill Mount Lane for Years 10–13 — reflects York's historical layout and pragmatic adaptation over decades. The Upper Site occupies the Manor House, built in 1850 for a prominent local figure, now housing state-of-the-art teaching facilities alongside period architecture. The Lower Site preserves the Bar Convent, a Grade I listed building housing both classrooms and the Mary Ward Sisters' working convent, creating an unusual living heritage where students experience Catholic religious life practised authentically by the resident sisters.

Behaviour is notably calm and respectful. The school gathers formally at York Minster each November for All Saints Day Mass and participates in other communal religious observances at English Martyrs Church, reinforcing a sense of belonging to something larger than school itself. The Ofsted inspection noted that "pupils care deeply for others" and "exude tolerance, respect and compassion".

GCSE Performance

The school's GCSE results place it solidly in the top 25% of schools in England for overall performance (FindMySchool ranking). In 2023, 9% of all grades were at the highest level (Grade 9), nearly double the national average. Across all entries, 36% of grades were 7 or above, double the average for Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Attainment 8 (a measure of performance across eight key subjects including English, maths, and sciences) averaged 54.4, with Progress 8 at +0.52, indicating pupils make above-average progress from their starting points. The school ranks 964th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool data), placing it at the 79th percentile — well above the England average and reflecting solid, consistent value-added.

Subject strength is particularly notable in languages, further mathematics, sciences, and humanities. The school's former specialism in languages and performing arts (under the now-dissolved specialist schools programme) has left a lasting imprint on curriculum design and expectations.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form achieves results in the top 25% of England schools (FindMySchool ranking). At A-level, the school's grades distribute as follows: 8% A*, 26% A, 32% B, meaning 66% of all grades achieved A*–B. This sits well above the England average of 47%.

Subject-level excellence is striking: 100% of Further Mathematics students achieved A*, 70% of Drama students secured A or A*, 63% in Fine Art, 60% in Philosophy. History saw 77% of entries grade A*–B, with 69% in Biology and 73% in Psychology achieving the top grades. BTEC results represent the strongest the school has ever achieved, with all students securing Merit or above.

The school ranks 563rd in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool data), placing it at the 79th percentile for sixth form learning. These figures consistently outperform local and regional alternatives and reflect the calibre of teaching and pupil engagement at this stage.

University Progression

In recent cycles, eight students secured Oxbridge places (3 Oxford, 5 Cambridge), a meaningful achievement reflecting the intellectual ambition embedded in curriculum design. Beyond Oxbridge, Russell Group universities are routinely represented in sixth form destinations. The school's reputation for rigorous preparation for competitive university courses is well-earned.

The curriculum is deliberately ambitious and rooted in educational research, according to the 2024 Ofsted report. Teaching follows a principled structure in which pupils study the full national curriculum for as long as possible before specialising at Key Stage 4 and advancing further at sixth form. This breadth-before-specialism approach fosters informed subject choice and intellectual maturity.

Teachers have excellent subject knowledge. In history, for example, pupils are encouraged to develop critical thinking by engaging with diverse historical sources rather than accepting one narrative. In sciences, separate GCSE entries in biology, chemistry, and physics from 2024 onwards reflect the school's confidence in teaching depth. Languages remain strong, reflecting the school's historical specialism, with French taught from Year 7 and additional language options available.

The school places explicit emphasis on achieving, in the words of the leadership team, three interconnected outcomes: discovering truth, developing goodness, and appreciating beauty. This Catholic philosophical framework shapes pedagogy across subjects — encouraging intellectual rigour, ethical reasoning, and engagement with aesthetic experience whether in art, music, or literature.

Form tutors know pupils individually and meet regularly to discuss progress and wellbeing. The school employs dedicated pastoral leaders and the single-form entry structure at Lower Site (Years 7–9) means smaller communities where relationships run deep. At sixth form, a similar rigorous attention to individual student welfare accompanies greater autonomy.

The school's culture explicitly values inclusivity. A student with special educational needs writes of feeling "taken aback by the thoroughly supportive and compassionate space to grow and learn" that All Saints offers. The Ofsted inspection confirmed that "everyone is accepted for who they are" and highlighted the school's caring ethos as a defining strength.

Mental health support, counselling, and learning support are embedded in school provision. The Catholic environment, with its emphasis on service and compassion, creates a social fabric where students report feeling understood and supported.

Extracurricular life is vibrant and extensive, offering genuine pathways for all learners alongside elite opportunities for the highly committed.

Music: Performance and Breadth

The orchestra is a flagship ensemble, rehearsing regularly and featuring in school performances. The chapel choir maintains the school's long choral tradition, performing at Christmas and Easter services as well as the annual All Saints Day gathering at York Minster. Jazz ensemble and smaller chamber groups provide additional musical expression. Sixth-formers and interested younger students can access music technology and composition study, with the school's historical connections to music education (recall John Barry, the film composer who scored 11 James Bond films, is an alumnus) continuing to influence programme ambition.

Drama: Student-Led and Professional

The annual whole-school dramatic production showcases student talent on a professional stage, involving cast, orchestra, and technical crew in weeks of collaboration. Drama A-level students mount their own productions, with recent years seeing ambitious renditions across genres from contemporary to classical. The school's former performing arts college specialism lives on in a drama curriculum that demands rigorous script analysis and performance technique.

Debate and Public Speaking

The Debate Club attracts regular participants who compete in regional and national competitions. Model United Nations stands out as a signature activity, with sixth-formers chairing committees and younger pupils participating in full General Assembly debates. Students speak of gaining confidence and honing public speaking skills through these forums. The school's culture actively encourages student voice in governance through Head Student elections and student council representation.

STEM and Technology

Physics, chemistry, and biology labs are well-resourced, supporting practical investigation from Year 7 onwards. Computing and technology integration across the curriculum reflects contemporary employer demand. The school's achievements in the UK Linguistics Olympiad (school of the year, 2011) hint at a legacy of celebrating STEM breadth beyond pure sciences. Pupils speak of engaging hands-on projects and problem-solving opportunities that connect learning to real-world application.

Sports and Physical Education

Rugby, netball, hockey, football, and cricket form the backbone of team sports, with fixtures across year groups. Tennis and athletics round out the core offer. Individual coaches support pupils aspiring to competitive levels. Swimming access is available (many York pupils use municipal facilities). Sports Day, house competitions, and inter-form fixtures create consistent participation opportunities regardless of elite ability.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The scheme runs across year groups, with pupils working towards Bronze and Silver levels. The Ofsted report specifically highlighted the Duke of Edinburgh programme as a vehicle for building resilience and character alongside practical wilderness skills.

Escape Room Club and Enrichment

Puzzle-solving and collaborative problem-solving activities appeal to pupils seeking intellectual challenge outside traditional academic structures. This reflects a school willing to experiment with novel formats to engage diverse learning styles.

GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) Team

Sixth-formers lead this faith-based student group, organising school chaplaincy activities, liturgical events, and peer support. It exemplifies the school's model of student leadership rooted in Catholic service values.

Religious and Liturgical Calendar

Beyond clubs, the religious calendar structures the year: All Saints Day Mass at York Minster (whole school), Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day masses at English Martyrs Church, Advent services, Christmas and Easter celebrations. Annual pilgrimages to Lourdes, organised in collaboration with the Diocese and other Catholic schools, offer spiritual and social enrichment to those who participate.

Entry points are at Year 7 (age 11) and Year 12 (age 16). Admission is administered by York Council through the coordinated admissions system; the school does not conduct independent entrance examinations.

For Year 7 entry, places are allocated after looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, primarily by distance from the school gates. The school is oversubscribed, with approximately 2.7 applications per place in recent admissions cycles. A small proportion of entries come from feeder primary schools within the Catholic parishes served by the school; the remainder are allocated by proximity.

For Year 12, two-thirds of sixth form students typically arrive from other York secondary schools, making it genuinely accessible to high-achieving pupils across the area regardless of primary school. Entry requirements include minimum grades (typically Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and Mathematics, with subject-specific requirements for A-level courses — for instance, Grade 6 or 7 in the subject at GCSE for A-level entry).

The school explicitly welcomes applicants of all faiths and none, though Catholic families form the majority. Non-Catholic pupils must meet the same academic criteria and demonstrate respect for the school's Catholic mission. The school's position as the only Catholic secondary in York means families seeking Catholic education in the area have limited alternatives locally, though the trust network provides pathways into partner sixth forms and colleges.

School hours are typically 8:30am to 3:15pm at both sites. Before-school and after-school care provision is not explicitly detailed on available public information; families should contact the school directly for wraparound care options.

The Lower Site sits within walking distance of York's medieval city centre and is accessible by foot from much of inner York. The Upper Site is located further south, accessible by bus routes and requiring travel for many pupils. Parking is limited; the school encourages use of public transport and cycling. York's regular train service (approximately 30 minutes to Leeds, 50 minutes to Manchester) means some sixth-formers travel from broader regions.

The school is part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, a family of 38 schools across the northern vicariate, enabling resource-sharing and staff development within a supportive network.

Catholic identity is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, regular masses, and explicit religious teaching are woven throughout school life. Families uncomfortable with this should look carefully at the school's values statement and consider visiting to understand whether they align with family beliefs. The school is inclusive of other faiths but does not sanitise or downplay Catholic practice.

Oversubscribed for Year 7 entry. With approximately 2.7 applications per place and distance-based allocation after looked-after children, securing a lower site place requires living reasonably close to school. Pupils from further afield typically look to the sixth form or neighbouring comprehensives.

Split site requires transition and travel. The move from Lower Site to Upper Site at Year 10 involves learning new buildings, new teaching staff, and for many, new travel arrangements. While the school manages this transition carefully, it represents a mid-phase change that differs from all-through institutions.

All-through sixth form requires reapplication. Pupils progressing from Year 11 to Year 12 must formally apply to sixth form study; continuation is not automatic. Academic attainment and behaviour must meet entry criteria, and places are limited (two-thirds are typically filled by external candidates from other schools).

All Saints Catholic School York represents a compelling choice for families seeking first-class education rooted in Catholic faith within the York area. The school combines genuine academic ambition — evidenced by top-quartile A-level results, regular Oxbridge entry, and skilled teaching — with pastoral warmth and an explicitly values-driven culture that shapes how pupils treat one another. For families within the faith tradition or those genuinely open to the Catholic mission, the school offers an education that integrates intellectual rigour with spiritual formation, not as separate enterprises but as integrated aspects of becoming an educated person.

The school best suits pupils who thrive in structured, values-driven environments and families who either practise Catholicism or respect it sufficiently to want their children immersed in its ethos. For Catholic families, the school represents an excellent option within the local landscape. For those uncertain about religious education or seeking a more secular emphasis, other York secondaries may feel like a better fit. The main challenge is securing entry at Year 7 given oversubscription; sixth form access is more open to high-achieving applicants from across York.