The McAuley Catholic High School

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

Cantley Lane, Cantley, Doncaster, DN3 3QFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The McAuley Catholic High School is a secondary school in Doncaster for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 136 schools in Doncaster. It ranks 17th of 21 secondary schools in Doncaster. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 December 2023, report published 7 February 2024

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 5 December 2023

Pupils enjoy school. They are well cared for by staff. The school has developed strong pastoral systems. These support pupils, including students in the sixth form, to participate fully in the school community. The school has implemented new policies and routines to manage behaviour. These have created a calm environment, where pupils can learn effectively. When incidents of bullying or other unkind behaviours occur, adults act swiftly and effectively to resolve them. Leaders, including trustees, have acted to address the issues raised at the previous inspection. Pupils now study a broad curriculum over their time in key stage 3. This supports them to be better prepared as they move into their GCSE courses. Most pupils achieve well in external examinations. This helps them to be well prepared for their next steps in education, employment or training. Leaders aspire for pupils to play a positive role within the school, as well as the local and Catholic communities. Opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme are well used and valued by pupils. The school uses opportunities such as these and residential visits to help pupils to become more independent and resilient young people.

What the school should improve

  • In some lessons, the work that pupils complete is not well matched to the aims of the curriculum or pupils' prior knowledge. When this happens, it limits how effectively pupils learn the most important knowledge identified within the curriculum. The school should ensure that work is consistently closely aligned to the aims of the curriculum.
  • Some opportunities to adapt the curriculum to address pupils' misconceptions or gaps in knowledge are missed. When this happens, including in PSHE, pupils' knowledge of the curriculum develops more slowly. The school should ensure that assessment information is routinely used to adapt the curriculum so that pupils' knowledge continues to build.
  • The school's system for checking actions to improve the school is not as strong as it could be. Some initiatives are implemented inconsistently. The school should ensure that its quality assurance procedures lead to consistent implementation of new initiatives.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

231 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score42.5

42.5, 3.6 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths34.6%

34.6%, 10.8 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths55.4%

55.4%, 9.4 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc7.8%

7.8%, 32.7 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.33

3.33, 0.76 below the England average of 4.09.

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

106 students

Average point score per A level entry30.06

30.06, 4.94 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,431 pupils on roll, with places for 1,730

Eligible for free school meals27.5%

27.5%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language19.6%

19.6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.9%

12.9%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.2%

1.2%, 4.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The McAuley Catholic High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
New College Doncaster2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
The Hayfield School2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 52.6
Outwood Academy Danum2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 42.8
Armthorpe Academy2 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 39.5
Hill House School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 28.2

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE MCAULEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr James Tucker
Address
Cantley Lane, Cantley, Doncaster, DN3 3QF
Local authority
Doncaster
URN
140865

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.