St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon Review 2026: Academic Strength in a Catholic Community

St Thomas More Catholic School stands as a significant educational landmark in Blaydon-on-Tyne, serving a large community with a capacity for over 1,500 students. As a prominent member of the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, the school combines a clear faith-based mission with academic outcomes that consistently lead the local area. The 2024 results confirm its position as the top-ranked secondary school in Blaydon-on-Tyne for both GCSE and A-level performance.

The school occupies a sprawling site on Croftdale Road, where a mix of traditional and modern facilities supports a broad age range from 11 through to 18. Mrs Jillian Turner, appointed as Headteacher in September 2022, leads an institution that has maintained a stable reputation for discipline and progress. With a national ranking that puts its GCSE outcomes in the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), the school offers a high-calibre state education rooted in Catholic values.

The atmosphere at St Thomas More is defined by its Catholic identity, which the school describes through its commitment to the development of the whole person. This is not merely a background detail; the liturgical life of the school, including regular Mass and collective worship, provides a structured rhythm to the week. Students often take an active role in these services, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and community.

As part of the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust since 2020, the school benefits from a wider network of regional support, yet it retains a distinct local identity. The scale of the school, with nearly 1,500 students, creates a bustling environment, but the Catholic house system helps to break this down into smaller, more manageable pastoral units. This ensures that even in a large secondary setting, individual students are known and supported by staff.

The physical environment reflects a school that has grown to meet high demand. The campus features specialist blocks for technology and the arts, alongside well-maintained sports fields. The transition between the main school and the sixth form area marks a shift in atmosphere, with older students enjoying a more independent, pre-university environment while remaining integrated into the wider school life.

St Thomas More Catholic School ranks 1,097th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the position of 1st in Blaydon-on-Tyne. This performance sits above the England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (national strong band). In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.6, significantly ahead of the England average. The Progress 8 score of 0.05 indicates that students make progress in line with, or slightly above, national expectations from their starting points.

At A-level, the school also ranks 1st locally. The 2024 results show that 52.2% of students achieved A* to B grades, outperforming many local alternatives. These metrics tell a story of consistent academic expectation across both the secondary and post-16 phases.

The curriculum is designed to be academic and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. In 2024, 26.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the EBacc, supported by an average point score (APS) of 4.76, which is higher than the England average of 4.08. This suggests a rigorous approach to core subjects like mathematics, sciences, and humanities.

In the classroom, teaching is structured and focused on long-term retention. Staff use regular low-stakes testing to identify gaps in knowledge, a strategy particularly evident in the lead-up to GCSE and A-level examinations. The school also provides a range of vocational pathways alongside traditional GCSEs, ensuring the curriculum remains accessible to students with varying interests and strengths.

Where Students Go Next

For students completing their Year 11 studies, there is a strong internal progression route into the St Thomas More Sixth Form. For those finishing their A-levels, the destination data is robust. According to 2024 leavers data, 61% of students progressed to university. The school also sees a high uptake of apprenticeships at 14%, which is notably higher than many similar academic institutions, reflecting a successful effort to prepare students for technical career paths.

The school maintains a pipeline to elite institutions, with six students submitting Oxbridge applications in the most recent cycle, resulting in one student securing an acceptance at the University of Cambridge. Employment figures for leavers stand at 15%, indicating a practical focus on school-leaver readiness alongside academic progression.

Admissions are coordinated by Gateshead Local Authority, but as a Catholic school, St Thomas More has its own oversubscription criteria. Priority is given to baptised Catholic children, particularly those attending named feeder primary schools. In 2024, the school was significantly oversubscribed, receiving 530 applications for 244 places.

This high demand results in a subscription proportion of 2.17, meaning there are more than two applicants for every available place. Families from outside the Catholic faith or from non-feeder schools often find it difficult to secure a place unless there is capacity after priority groups are met.

Pastoral care is anchored in the school's religious character. Every student is part of a form group that meets daily, providing a first point of contact for any concerns. The school employs a dedicated chaplaincy team that offers emotional and spiritual support to students of all faiths and none.

Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions, which the school links to its core values of respect and integrity. For students with additional needs, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) department provides tailored support, including small-group interventions for literacy and numeracy.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied, with a strong emphasis on music and sport. The school choir and various instrumental ensembles are central to both school concerts and liturgical events. In sport, students represent the school in local and regional leagues for football, netball, and athletics.

STEM: Innovation and Technical Skills

The school has developed a strong reputation for STEM subjects, supported by well-equipped laboratories and a dedicated technology wing. Students can participate in various engineering challenges and coding clubs, which aim to bridge the gap between classroom theory and industrial application. This focus is reflected in the high number of leavers choosing to enter technical apprenticeships.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:15pm. Blaydon station is within walking distance, providing rail links to Newcastle and Hexham, while several local bus routes serve Croftdale Road directly. For sixth form students, there is a dedicated study area and common room to facilitate independent work during non-contact periods.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, St Thomas More Catholic School does not charge tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge to all students aged 11 to 18 who meet the residency and admission criteria.

The school receives additional funding via the Pupil Premium for eligible students, which is used to support academic progress and provide equal opportunities for extracurricular participation. Families requiring assistance with associated costs, such as school uniforms or educational trips, may be eligible for support through the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust's hardship funds.

• Oversubscription: With over two applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle for families. Those outside the immediate Catholic feeder network should have a clear alternative in place.
• Strong Apprenticeship Focus: While university is the most common path, the school has a significant 14% apprenticeship rate. This is an excellent feature for students seeking technical routes, but families purely focused on traditional university entry should be aware of this balanced vocational culture.
• Catholic Character: The faith element is pervasive and genuine. Families should be comfortable with their children participating in regular religious observances and a curriculum that reflects Catholic moral teaching.

St Thomas More Catholic School is a high-performing, community-focused institution that successfully balances academic ambition with pastoral care. It serves as a flagship for Catholic education in Gateshead, offering results that consistently exceed England averages. Best suited to families who value a disciplined, faith-based environment and students who are prepared to work hard within a large, traditional school structure. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.