St John Fisher Catholic Academy
Hookstone Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8PTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St John Fisher Catholic Academy is a secondary school in Harrogate for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 376 schools in North Yorkshire. It ranks 3rd of 6 secondary schools in Harrogate. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 December 2022, report published 12 February 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 December 2022
Pupils value the education that they receive at St John Fisher Catholic Academy. Leaders have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. They have designed a curriculum which achieves the school's mission, 'educating for life'. Pupils leave the school well equipped for their next step in education, employment or training. Pupils behave considerately and maturely. They wear their uniforms with pride. Their achievements are celebrated in rewards assemblies. However, a minority of pupils think that leaders do not celebrate positive behaviour as much as they could. Leaders respond when pupils raise concerns. For example, leaders have improved indoor and outside areas of the school where some pupils felt uncomfortable in the past. This has helped pupils to feel safe in school. Pupils appreciate the support of pastoral staff. When pupils report bullying, staff tackle it directly. A rich set of extra-curricular opportunities are available for pupils. Sixth-form students lead by example. Members of the school congress are proud of their leadership responsibilities. Sixth-form students willingly support lower school pupils. For example, some read with younger pupils while others help out at the 'space club'.
What the school should improve
- Some teachers do not provide pupils with SEND with effective support in lessons. Some of the information that senior leaders provide to teachers about pupils' individual needs is not clear or specific. As a result, pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that staff are given precise information about the needs of pupils with SEND so that all pupils achieve the best possible outcomes.
- A small but significant minority of parents do not feel that communication between school and home is effective. Sometimes, when parents raise concerns or pass on their views, the response from staff is slow. As a result, some parents, including those of pupils with SEND, are not informed sufficiently about their children's education and their experiences in school. Leaders must engage more purposefully with these parents and involve them more effectively in school life.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
210 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
459 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,250 pupils on roll, with places for 1,383
Schools near St John Fisher Catholic Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Aidan's Church of England High School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 56.4 |
| Harrogate High School | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 39.1 |
| Harrogate Grammar School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 56.6 |
| Rossett School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 44.1 |
| Ashville College | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 49.6 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE BISHOP WHEELER CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Steve Mort
- Phone
- 01423887254
- Address
- Hookstone Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8PT
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire
- URN
- 148855
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.