Finchley Catholic High School
Woodside Lane, Finchley, London, N12 8TAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Finchley Catholic High School is a secondary school in Barnet for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 170 schools in Barnet. It ranks 14th of 27 secondary schools in Barnet. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 6 November 2013, report published 28 November 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 September 2023
This school is a happy and welcoming place to be. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are a strength. Leaders have established strong routines that are understood and followed throughout the school. Pupils are respectful towards staff, and to their peers in class and around the school. They are safe. Beth, the therapy dog, provides support to improve pupils' mental health. Many parents commented on how effectively the school supported their children's move from primary school to secondary school. Students in the sixth form said how welcomed and respected they felt when they started in Year 12, and shared how leaders made great efforts to ensure that their start in Year 12 went smoothly. The school has high expectations of pupils' academic achievements and their attitudes towards others. Leaders have also ensured that pupils study a wide range of knowledge across a broad range of subjects. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). One parent or carer, typical of many, said: 'Teachers have gone above and beyond our expectations.' Leaders organise a range of extra-curricular activities for pupils. 'Lab rats' science club, modern foreign languages food club and chess club are popular. Independent careers advice and guidance encourages pupils and students in the sixth form to be ambitious for their futures.
What the school should improve
- On occasion, teaching does not check that pupils understand and recall the key content that the school has identified for pupils to know. This means that, sometimes, pupils' misconceptions are not identified and addressed. The school should ensure that in all subjects pupils' understanding and recall of important concepts and key knowledge is checked, and that any misconceptions or gaps are addressed.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
173 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
160 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,172 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Finchley Catholic High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Michael's Catholic Grammar School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 77.8 |
| Wren Academy Finchley | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 59.8 |
| Woodhouse College | 0.9 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Imperial College London Mathematics School | 0.9 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Dwight School London | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Boys
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Ciran Stapleton
- Phone
- 02084450105
- Address
- Woodside Lane, Finchley, London, N12 8TA
- Local authority
- Barnet
- URN
- 101362
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.