Cardinal Newman Catholic School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

The Upper Drive, Hove, BN3 6NDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Cardinal Newman Catholic School is a secondary school in Hove for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 75 schools in Brighton and Hove. It ranks 2nd of 4 secondary schools in Hove. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 October 2024, report published 11 November 2024

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 October 2024

Pupils are immensely proud to attend this school and feel a strong sense of belonging. They extoll the ethos and values of the school, as captured in the declaration 'I am valued, I am valuable, and I value others'. Pupils speak joyously about their school, appreciating the many wide and varied opportunities made available to them. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are strongly motivated to learn and hold very positive attitudes towards their learning. The school has very high expectations of pupils' academic achievements. Pupils achieve extremely well because they benefit from highly skilled and expert teaching. They develop wide-ranging knowledge and deep understanding of the subjects they learn. The school ensures that everyone is well prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils say they are encouraged to respect and celebrate difference of all types, and they do. Pupils enjoy an impressive array of extra-curricular activities. Very strong pastoral care provides exceptional support for pupils' well-being. Pupils know that they have adults who will help them if they are struggling. They are hugely respectful of one another. Parents and carers hold highly positive views about the school.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

365 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score50.4

50.4, 4.3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths47.9%

47.9%, 2.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71.5%

71.5%, 6.7 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc34%

34%, 6.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.46

4.46, 0.37 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

250 students

Average point score per A level entry37.88

37.88, 2.88 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

2,657 pupils on roll, with places for 2,600

Eligible for free school meals18.6%

18.6%, 7.9 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language22.4%

22.4%, 0.8 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18.6%

18.6%, 3.8 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.7%

2.7%, 3.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Cardinal Newman Catholic School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Montessori Place0.4 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Brighton Girls GDST0.7 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 62.5
Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre1 mileReport card: Needs attention to strong standardAttainment 8: 41.1
Dorothy Stringer School1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 53.3
Kings Brighton1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 2.5

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Claire Jarman
Address
The Upper Drive, Hove, BN3 6ND
Local authority
Brighton and Hove
URN
114611

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.