St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

SEND provision helps pupils succeed; staff spot pupils needing extra help quickly with swift interventions

“The school ensures that the provision for pupils with SEND helps them to be successful. Staff spot anyone who needs extra help quickly.”

The school places great emphasis on its pastoral system with form tutors spending significant daily time with students, described as the first and last person students see each day.

“At Saint Thomas Aquinas we place great emphasis on our pastoral system and pastoral care. The role of the form tutor is vital with all students spending 30 minutes each morning and 10 minutes each afternoon with their tutor.”

Each year group has a Head of Year supported by a full-time Learning Mentor Pastoral Support staff member.

“Each year group is led by an experienced teacher as the Head of Year with the support of a full time Learning Mentor Pastoral Support staff member.”

Students have paid access to UpLearn for tutoring in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

“all our students have paid access to UpLearn, which provides high-quality video and personal tutoring in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, ensuring that students have the academic support they need”

The Year 13 leaving cohort was described as the largest in many years.

“The largest Year 13 cohort we have had in many years at St Thomas Aquinas came together to wish each other well, and mark the end of two years (and in most cases, seven years) as the Class of 2026.”

Extra-curricular offer includes many sporting and creative clubs, a choir and numerous productions

“The school’s extra-curricular offer includes a plethora of sporting and creative clubs. There is a choir and numerous productions for all pupils throughout the year.”

Duke of Edinburgh Award is a strong feature into the Sixth Form

“The Duke of Edinburgh Award remains a strong feature of our school into the Sixth Form.”

The school's mission statement places Christ at the centre of a community that lives, loves and learns together.

“Christ is at the centre of our school community where we live, love and learn together”

Inclusive school with high ambitions for every pupil including disadvantaged and SEND pupils

“This inclusive school has unapologetically high ambitions for every pupil, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”

Sixth form application deadline is 9 January 2026, with interviews arranged afterward

“Please complete the application form below by Friday 9th January 2026 . Applications received after this date will still be considered, but course availability may be limited.”

Staff are highly-qualified and there is a proven track record of progression to higher education and employment

“We have highly-qualified, experienced and dedicated teaching staff and a proven track record of progression onto higher education and employment.”

Entry to the sixth form requires GCSE grades or equivalent Level 2 qualifications.

“GCSE grades or equivalent Level 2 qualifications are accepted.”

The school states a specific closing date for Year 7 applications.

“The closing date for applications is 31st October 2025.”

Sixth form students get impartial advice about future career pathways and almost all go on to appropriate destinations

“Students get impartial advice about possible future career pathways. As a result, almost all students go on to appropriate destinations.”

Year 13 UCAS applications generated 109 conditional offers from universities including Warwick, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Bath, Loughborough, and Birmingham.

“Year 13 students have been working hard on their UCAS applications, 75 applications have been submitted so far, and between them already 109 conditional offers or invitations received, including:1 from Warwick University,3 from University of Nottingham,10 from University of Manchester,2 from University of Liverpool,2 from University of Leeds,4 from University of Bristol,1 from Edinburgh University,1 from University of Bath,1 from Loughborough University,3 from University of Birmingham,... and another 77 offers from everywhere between Stirling and Southampton, for courses ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Virology, and everything in-between!”

School reports its best ever GCSE results with attainment and pass rates at 7+, 5+ and 4+ significantly above national average.

“St Thomas Aquinas Catholic is delighted to report the best ever set of GCSE results. Attainment and pass rates at 7+, 5+ and 4+ are all significantly above the national average.”

The school's Catholic Life was inspected under Section 48 in December 2022 and graded outstanding in all areas.

“St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School was graded as “outstanding” in all areas!”