Schools by area › Stoke-on-Trent › St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Academy
Little Chell Lane, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 6LZ · stmargaretward.co.uk · 01782 883000
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jan 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 43
- average Attainment 8 score. Stoke-on-Trent 39.8, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 1.07 mi
- 1.73 km · Year 7, September 2025 entry · Criterion 10 · Stoke On Trent Council
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,143
- 95% of 1,200 places
- Local authority
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 36.8%
- First language not English
- 32.3%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2025, the last place offered under “Criterion 10” went to a home 1.07 mi (1.73 km) from the school. Source: Stoke On Trent Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 219 families put the school first and 209 places were offered; 89% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 209 | 219 | 1▲ | 89% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 209 | 217 | 1▲ | 91% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 204 | 195 | 1 | 93% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 208 | 220 | 1.1▲ | 89% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 210 | 169 | 0.8 | 100% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 – Criterion 10 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 1.07 mi1.73 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 43, and 40.3% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Stoke-on-Trent it was 39.8, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C- (27.9 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼43 | 46 | ||
| ▼40.3% | 45.4% | ||
| ●63.6% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲69.9% | 40.5% | ||
| ●3.94 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 21.2 | −3.2 |
| Sixth form college | 18.3 | +5.9 |
| Further education | 43.3 | −5.9 |
| Other education | 0.5 | 0 |
| Apprenticeship | 2.9 | −1.2 |
| Employment | 2.9 | −0.2 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 8.2 | +3 |
| Activity not captured | 2.9 | +1.9 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 students | C- (27.9) | Below average -0.45 | |
| 42 students | C (28.5) | Below average -0.43 | |
| 27 students | Dist- (30.3) | Below average -0.41 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 28 | C (31.6) | +0.06 |
| 2022/23 | 40 | C (29.7) | — |
| 2021/22 | 37 | C+ (32.3) | — |
| 2018/19 | 48 | C (28.5) | -0.53 |
| 2017/18 | 64 | C- (26.1) | -0.68 |
| 2016/17 | 49 | C (29.4) | -0.33 |
| 2015/16 | 45 | C- (26.3) | -0.39 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 74.5 | +15.2 |
| Other education | 3.9 | −2.9 |
| Apprenticeship | 5.9 | +2.5 |
| Employment | 7.8 | −9.1 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 7.8 | −0.7 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy on 27 January 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
- Achievement: Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Post-16 provision: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Expected standard
- Inspected
- 27 Jan 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Expected standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Post-16 provision | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Sept 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Sept 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Feb 2013Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Nov 2009Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Requires improvement
What parents said
76% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (62 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 76%
- Positive
- 73%
- Replies
- 62
- 5% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 81% who raised concerns
based on 17 parents (27%) whose child was bullied
based on 19 parents (31%) with SEND