Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School is a voluntary-aided Catholic comprehensive for boys with a mixed Sixth Form. It aims to provide a Catholic framework in which children may grow in their understanding and practice of the faith and in which they are prepared to undertake their responsibilities as Catholics in society.

Beautifully sited in Holland Park and formerly a grammar school, the Vaughan has retained very high academic standards despite becoming non-selective. It sends about six pupils to Oxbridge every year and won the Evening Standard Award for the best state secondary in London in 2002.

The 2002 OFSTED report is glowing: 'The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School is a very successful school whose pupils attain exceptionally high standards as a result of very good teaching coupled with very good leadership and management.' Old boys include Richard Greene, Norman St John Stevas and Martin Cross and Garry Herbert (Olympic gold medal winning rowers), as well as Dominic Holland, the comedian.

The exams results achieved at the school are exceptional with 50% of GCSEs passed a A or A* grades in 2005.

How do you get in?

The school is over-subscribed, but takes pupils from a very wide variety of primaries: there are no specific 'feeder' schools as each application is judged on its own merits. Apply direct to the school and complete its application form. The school does not select on the basis of ability but a positive attitude to the Catholic faith and parental commitment are of paramount importance. The school must be your first choice.

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