Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy Review 2026: Academic Strength and Catholic Character

Situated in Stapenhill on the south-eastern fringes of Burton-on-Trent, Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy serves a community that spans the Staffordshire and Derbyshire border. The academy provides a secondary education for approximately 620 students aged 11 to 16, maintaining a scale that feels manageable and personal. The school has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, moving from a period of challenge to its current status as a highly regarded Catholic institution.

Mr Samuel Gray has served as the Headteacher since September 2024, leading the academy within the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. The school motto, Virtute et Sapientia (By Virtue and Wisdom), underpins a culture that balances rigorous academic expectations with a pervasive commitment to Catholic values. Following an Outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2023, the academy has solidified its reputation as one of the strongest-performing state secondaries in the local area.

The atmosphere at Blessed Robert Sutton is defined by a sense of calm and mutual respect. As a Catholic academy, the liturgical life of the school is not a peripheral activity but the core of its daily rhythm. Morning prayer and regular Masses in the school chapel provide moments of reflection within a busy academic schedule. The physical environment is well maintained, with clear displays celebrating student achievement and the school's religious identity.

Being part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (SRSCMAT) since 2018 has provided the school with a stable framework for growth. Students are encouraged to see themselves as part of a wider community of faith, and this is reflected in the high standard of behaviour observed across all year groups. There is a palpable sense of pride among the student body, supported by a house system that encourages healthy competition and a sense of belonging.

Academic performance at Blessed Robert Sutton is consistently strong, placing the school in the top tier of local providers. In the most recent validated data, the academy achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.3, comfortably exceeding the England average. The Progress 8 score of +0.29 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points at the end of primary school.

The academy ranks 1,826th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 2nd among secondaries in Burton-on-Trent. This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), but it is a leader in its immediate local context. The school is particularly effective at ensuring students achieve strong passes in core subjects, which provides a solid foundation for post-16 transition.

Teaching at the academy is characterised by high expectations and a structured approach to the curriculum. Teachers demonstrate expert subject knowledge, and lessons are planned to challenge students of all abilities. The curriculum is broad and balanced, meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum while allowing for deep-dives into specific subject areas.

Mathematics and Science are notable strengths, with the school achieving results that reflect a rigorous approach to the STEM subjects. The academy has worked hard to ensure that the EBacc suite of subjects is accessible and ambitious for a wide range of students. In 2024, the average EBacc APS score was 4.3, demonstrating that students are performing well across a demanding range of academic disciplines.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11 to 16 academy, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. The school provides comprehensive careers guidance to ensure students are well prepared for their next steps. Most students progress to local sixth form providers or further education colleges in Burton-on-Trent and the surrounding areas.

There is a strong pipeline of students moving into A-level programmes at nearby institutions, including De Ferrers Sixth Form and Paget High School. The academy maintains close links with these providers to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, a significant number of students secure high-quality apprenticeships, particularly in the engineering and technical sectors prominent in the Midlands.

Blessed Robert Sutton is a Catholic academy, and its admissions policy reflects this identity. While the school is inclusive and welcomes students of all faiths and none, priority is given to baptised Catholic children from the designated feeder parishes. Families must complete the Common Application Form through Staffordshire County Council and are also required to submit a Supplementary Information Form directly to the school to evidence their faith.

The school is consistently oversubscribed, particularly in Year 7. For the most recent intake, there were 334 applications for 120 places, indicating a subscription proportion of 2.78. This high demand means that families living outside the immediate catchment or without a faith connection may find it difficult to secure a place. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to assess their realistic chances of admission.

The pastoral system is a significant strength of the academy. Each student is part of a form group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact for both academic and emotional support. The school employs a dedicated pastoral team that works closely with families to address any barriers to learning.

The Catholic ethos informs the approach to wellbeing, with an emphasis on the dignity of the individual and the importance of community. Safeguarding procedures are robust, and students report feeling safe and valued within the school environment. The academy also offers specific support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring that the curriculum is accessible and that individual needs are met through tailored interventions.

Extracurricular life at Blessed Robert Sutton is varied and active. Sport is a major pillar of the school's offering, with the academy fielding successful teams in football, netball, and athletics. The school facilities include an on-site sports hall and generous playing fields that are used year-round for fixtures against local rivals.

The creative arts are also well represented. The school choir and various musical ensembles perform at liturgical events and community concerts. Notable clubs include the Faith in Action group, which leads on charitable fundraising and social justice initiatives, and the Robotics Club, which allows students to apply their technical skills in a competitive environment. These activities provide students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and personal interests outside the formal curriculum.

The school day typically begins at 8:45am and concludes at 3:15pm. The academy is located on Bluestone Lane in Stapenhill, which is accessible via local bus routes from Burton-on-Trent town centre. While there is no on-site parking for parents, the surrounding residential streets allow for drop-off and pick-up, though these areas can become congested at peak times.

For families requiring wraparound care, the school offers various after-school clubs, though it does not operate a formal breakfast club. Travel to the school is often managed through local authority transport for those students living further-afield who meet the eligibility criteria.

• Oversubscribed entry: With nearly three applications for every available place, securing a Year 7 spot is a significant hurdle. Families who do not meet the primary faith criteria should have a clear alternative plan.
• Faith commitment: The Catholic character of the academy is central to its identity. Students are expected to participate in collective worship and religious education, which may not suit those seeking a purely secular environment.
• 11-16 structure: Because the school does not have its own sixth form, students must prepare for a move at age 16. While the school manages this transition well, it does mean an additional change of environment compared to all-through 11-18 schools.

Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy is a school that has successfully combined high academic standards with a supportive, faith-based community. Its 2023 Outstanding status is a reflection of the hard work of the leadership team and the high levels of engagement from students. It is best suited to families in the Burton-on-Trent area who value a traditional Catholic education and are seeking a school with a proven track record of GCSE success. The main challenge is the high level of demand for places, which makes proximity and faith criteria essential for a successful application.