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Cardinal Newman Catholic School
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Secondary

Cardinal Newman Catholic School

Hove, United Kingdom
6 Reviews
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Verified Parents
1.4 /5

6 reviews

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Extra Attention Recommended

This school is currently rated below 3 stars based on 6 published reviews. Several reviews raise serious concerns, so parents should carry out extra due diligence before considering it for their child.

  • Ask direct questions about safeguarding, discipline, wellbeing and communication.
  • Speak to current parents and inspect recent complaint handling before enrolling.

About Cardinal Newman Catholic School

Cardinal Newman Catholic School is a vibrant and inclusive secondary school located in Hove, United Kingdom. Established in 1965, the school has a strong Catholic ethos and aims to provide a holistic education that nurtures the academic, spiritual, and personal development of its students. The school prides itself on its commitment to high standards of teaching and learning, fostering a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.

Photos of Cardinal Newman Catholic School 2

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Key Facts

Founded 1965
Students 1,200
Head/Principal David McGowan

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews
Safety & Security 2.0
Teaching Quality 2.8
Communication 2.6
Student Wellbeing 1.8
Facilities 1.6

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data • 366 responses • 13.9% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

95.6% positive 4.1% negative

My child feels safe at this school

95.1% positive 3.6% negative

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

93.5% positive 4.7% negative

The school has high expectations for my child

92.9% positive 3.5% negative

My child does well at this school

93.1% positive 3.8% negative

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 366 parent responses to the official Ofsted survey.

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.
17.0:1
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Excellent
154.4
Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data • 2023-2024

54.4
Attainment 8
Average grade across 8 subjects
+0.56
Progress 8
Well above average
60.8%
English & Maths 9-5
Strong pass in both
80.8%
English & Maths 9-4
Standard pass in both

Additional Information

34.1% entered EBacc
29.6% achieved EBacc
355 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 6

P
Parent
Parent May 7, 2024
2.0

"School"

My child asked to go to the toilet and they said NO, when they were peeing there pants. He came home that day with pee in his trousers thanks to that teacher and another wash. Very disappointed. We had a bullying situation and it took them 4 weeks to sought it. And the school food is discussing except from some food but apart for those bad situations it is alright.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 4/5
Communication 4/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 2/5
P
Parent
Parent May 3, 2024
1.0

"Newman is bad"

I am a student at cardinal Newman school at hove and it is so bad there was bomb threats and there are mean emails and the police are out side of the school 70% of the time
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent Mar 9, 2024
1.0

"Make a assembly about this disappointing thing that has happened"

This place is so bad my child has been back talking and swearing at me because of this school and the food is so bad my child have had food poisoning because of it my child has pisses there pants because you locked up the toilets and came home with wee all over there pants I’m disappointed in this honesty and the teachers are so mean shouting at my son and pissing on his face this is something I would not ever see in all my years as a mother a wife and a teacher please make a assembly about this issue lots of love - jakey’s mother
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent Sep 29, 2023
1.0

"Worried parent"

I don't know if this is the neglect of the government or the school, or the corruption of social morals. Students provide weed to students. It seems that if you don't smoke weed, you are not in line with this era, and your classmates will laugh at you as a coward. Almost all secondary and high schools are unable to avoid it.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 4/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 2/5
P
Parent
Parent May 8, 2023
2.0

"Don’t go if you have mental health problems "

I want to start this off by saying not every experience in this school will be like mine, however if you have issues with your mental health i do not recommend.

Starting with the positives, most teachers here definitely know what they’re doing and i believe if you’re extremely happy throughout school you will go far.

However, my experience was awful. I am diagnosed with depression and ocd and i was forced to open up to a teacher after he found this out. He then said he had told other teachers and my mum when he actually did not, leading me to believe that my mum and other teachers just didn’t care. When i started to develop behavioural issues, the school did not question if this was because of my mental health and instead decided to give me isolations, suspensions ect.

Many of the senior teachers here are also known to have no sympathy and i can’t count how many times i’ve been screamed at in a senior teachers office and they won’t stop even if i’m bawling my eyes out. Not to mention, the reasons i was getting these harsh punishments were not for bullying someone or fighting with others. These punishments are solely for not turning up to lesson, and instead of asking me what would help me attend that lesson (english), such as moving my class/teacher, they decide to give me countless punishments that clearly aren’t helping.

Another issue i had with this school that has almost led to me to literally kill myself is that they moved my form as a punishment because my form tutor ‘couldn’t deal with me.’ And they made it out as if they were doing it for me and said it was a fresh start however i begged them countless times to stay with my form. My form tutor also did not communicate once with me before doing this even though he was asked by multiple teachers to do so. After i found out he was making me move forms i came to him and tried to have a conversation with him but he started guilt tripping me and saying that i ‘cause his mental health to worsen.’ And when i asked him what he has done for me to stay in his form he said ‘i’ve been your form tutor.’ As if that isn’t his job. And i know that it sounds stupid on my part to be so upset about moving form but it means i can’t see my friends all day because i have different breaks to them and no lessons with them as i was moved classes too, earlier in the year.

However, i do have some nice things to say, although i was extremely suicidal throughout this year there was one teacher who literally saved me and i do believe there is good teachers in that awful school and i cannot group them all together. Not to mention the mental health teachers are very helpful and i would’ve left the school without them.

To conclude, if your child has any mental health issues or may be sad for any reason in their school career, don’t send them here.
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 2/5
P
Parent
Parent Sep 24, 2022
3.0

"Cardinal Newman has both positives and negative sides."

I have recently graduated from Cardinal Newman and this is my review: Despite having a great school experience in my first years here unfortunately this has not been the case for years 9+. Before I write my review I find it important to acknowledge that I am sure that there are much worse schools however this is my school experience.

Over the last few years this school has greatly put punishment over education, for example missing one lesson can result in an isolation (missing an entire day of school being unproductive). This is an objectively bad punishment as removing children from their education because they missed education does not make sense.

Secondly, substance use in this school is common. Especially with vapes which are widely used during school. In fact I’m the past year a fire alarm went of due to students vaping in the bathroom.

On the other hand, most teachers (with the exception of some senior teachers) are incredible and some of the best I have ever been taught by. They truly know what they are talking about and are very good at their jobs.

Thanks you for reading
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5
Facilities 4/5

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