The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School
School summary
Founded in 1914, The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School is a large Roman Catholic boys' school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with a substantial sixth form of nearly 400 among its 1,044 pupils. Ofsted has rated every aspect of the school Outstanding, from quality of education and leadership to behaviour, personal development and the sixth form. A generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 13 sits behind that record. The school takes a firm line on mobile phones: smartphones are barred for years 7 to 11, with only switched-off brick phones tolerated, while sixth formers may use phones in a designated hall.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
55%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
46%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
77%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 16 November 2021
Teaching & academics
Results are strong across both phases, with 55% of GCSE grades at 9-7 and 46% of A-levels graded A*-A, rising to 77% at A*-B. The curriculum is broad and traditional, encompassing the full slate of sciences, humanities and languages, alongside Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation. Beyond GCSE and A-level, pupils can pursue BTEC and the EPQ, and around 11% receive SEN support.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headmaster · Aaron Cosgrove
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 395
- Sixth-form Ofsted
- Outstanding
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Rugby and football are the main team sports, and music features prominently both at GCSE and A-level. French, Spanish and Polish are offered among the languages.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1914
- Religious character
- RC
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 11.33%
- EHC plans
- 4.98%
Mobile phone policy
Pupils in years 7 to 11 are not allowed smartphones in school. Any smartphone brought into school will be confiscated and kept for the rest of that half-term. Pupils are permitted, however, to bring a brick phone to school. In this case, it must be switched off upon entering the school grounds. Pupils who are seen on their brick phone anywhere in the school will be punished. Pupils in the sixth form are allowed to bring smartphones to school and may use them outside of lessons in Addison Hall.
Schools nearby
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An academically high-achieving Catholic boys' school with an across-the-board Outstanding rating and a deliberately old-fashioned stance on phones. It will suit families seeking a traditional, faith-based education with a strong sixth form.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.