St John Plessington Catholic College

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 7LFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St John Plessington Catholic College is a secondary school in Wirral for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 135 schools in Wirral. It ranks 9th of 10 secondary schools in Wirral. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 22 November 2022, report published 16 January 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 November 2022

Pupils and sixth-form students at this school access a high-quality education. Leaders expect them to behave well and succeed academically. Pupils and students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), get the right support at the right time. They achieve well. Pupils and students in the sixth form value the wider opportunities that leaders provide. For example, pupils can join the student council, the anti-bullying team and take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Students in the sixth form develop their independence and social skills through enrichment activities such as the scholars programme, community volunteering opportunities and a driving safety-awareness programme. Most pupils are happy at school and feel safe. They know who to turn to if they are worried about anything. Despite this, some pupils are not confident that leaders will deal with their concerns. Pupils' behaviour is improving rapidly. Most pupils behave well and act respectfully towards each other. When pupils report bullying or discrimination, staff deal with it quickly and effectively. Pupils and students in the diversity and equalities group told inspectors about the work that they are doing to help everyone feel welcome.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, some teachers do not identify and address pupils' misconceptions as quickly as they should. This hinders how well some pupils build on their prior knowledge. Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment strategies effectively to check that pupils' knowledge is secure before moving on to new learning.
  • A small number of older pupils do not behave as well as leaders expect. At times, this undermines the positive and respectful culture that leaders have established. Leaders should ensure that all staff implement the new behaviour policy consistently well, so that these pupils develop positive attitudes towards staff and each other.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

267 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score37.2

37.2, 8.9 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths28.5%

28.5%, 16.9 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths49.8%

49.8%, 15 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc26.6%

26.6%, 13.9 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.11

3.11, 0.98 below the England average of 4.09.

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

73 students

Average point score per A level entry27.16

27.16, 7.84 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,556 pupils on roll, with places for 1,800

Eligible for free school meals39.7%

39.7%, 13.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language13.2%

13.2%, 8.4 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.8%

9.8%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.7%

4.7%, 1.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St John Plessington Catholic College

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Co-op Academy Bebington0.5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 37.3
Wirral Grammar School for Girls0.8 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 69.3
Wirral Grammar School for Boys0.8 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 65.4
Prenton High School for Girls1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 38.9
Progress Schools - Hamilton Square2 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 4.7

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Peadar McLoughlin
Address
Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 7LF
Local authority
Wirral
URN
139031

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.