St Richard Reynolds Catholic High School Review 2026: Where Academic Ambition Meets Catholic Faith

Named after a Brigittine monk executed in 1535 for refusing King Henry VIII's Oath of Supremacy, St Richard Reynolds Catholic High School carries history in its name and purpose. The school opened its doors in 2015 in Twickenham, occupying a refurbished Edwardian building that once housed Twickenham County School for Girls. Today, it serves over 1,100 students from ages 11 to 18 across six forms per year group, combining academic rigour with Catholic values at every turn. The school ranks 543rd in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 12% nationally and within the top tier locally. Ofsted rated it Outstanding in 2024, recognising both the quality of education and the genuine sense of community that underpins daily life here.

The campus reveals a school that feels genuinely purposeful without being intense or pressured. Students move between lessons with focus; the Edwardian main building and newer teaching block sit comfortably together, their architecture reflecting the school's own blend of tradition and forward momentum. Tutor groups bear the names of House Saints, a detail that signals the Catholic character while creating a sense of belonging within larger year groups.

Richard Burke serves as Principal, overseeing the Ascension Catholic Academy Trust, with Sorrel Simmons as Head of School from January 2025. Leadership continuity combined with fresh perspectives has shaped an environment where academic expectation is paired with genuine pastoral care. Staff describe a "family ethos," and from inspection feedback and school materials, this appears authentic rather than corporate speak.

The Catholic mission permeates without overwhelming non-Catholic families; the school welcomes applications from all faiths, though Catholic families receive priority in admissions. Daily prayer, weekly collective worship, and Catholic religious education as a compulsory curriculum subject anchor the spiritual dimension. Yet the atmosphere described by inspectors and evident in school materials suggests a place where faith complements rather than dominates, where young people can engage deeply with Catholic teaching without feeling excluded if they approach it from different perspectives.

GCSE Performance

65% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7 in 2024, a strong result that reflects consistent ambition. The Attainment 8 score of 58.7 sits well above national average, indicating pupils make meaningful progress across their subject choices. Progress 8 stands at +0.66, meaning students here achieve notably above average progress from their starting points. These figures place the school in the top 12% nationally for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking).

Locally within Richmond upon Thames, the school ranks 11th among all secondaries, cementing its position as a strong performer in a competitive London borough. Subject breadth is substantial: pupils choose from Art, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Travel and Tourism BTEC. Some students pursue separate science qualifications, Further Maths, or additional language options alongside their main programme.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form, established as the final phase of the college build-out, has matured quickly. At A-level, 54% of grades fall within A*-B range, with 18% achieving A* grades. This places sixth form outcomes in the middle tier nationally, reflecting that while many pupils progress internally from Year 11, external entrants bring varied starting points. Sixteen A-level subjects are available: Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Physics, Psychology, Religious Education, and Sociology. Students take three A-level courses at six lessons per week, with additional timetabled study periods and service leadership opportunities.

Teaching follows clear structures rooted in what the school terms "SRR10"—ten non-negotiables that underpin every lesson — alongside "Brilliant Basics" that detail classroom practice. This systematic approach ensures consistency whilst allowing subject specialists genuine autonomy in content delivery. Religious Education sits as the core subject within the curriculum; every other subject relates to it thematically, embedding Catholic Social Teaching without compartmentalising faith as separate from academic study.

The breadth of option choices and the availability of Latin, separate sciences, and further mathematics from Year 9 signals genuine academic breadth. Independent learning is scaffolded through six supervised study periods per week, equipping students to manage the increasing autonomy required post-16. Sixth formers additionally undertake one service period weekly, supporting primary pupils or leading learning in subjects they excel in, reinforcing the notion that education extends beyond examination halls.

Beyond GCSE, the sixth form welcomes both internal progressors and external applicants. Entry typically requires GCSE grades 5 or above, though some subjects demand higher thresholds. The Sixth Form is described as the "pinnacle" of the college journey, with enrichment, support, and careers embedded from day one. Nearly 60% of sixth form cohorts progress onwards each year, with internal and external students mixing to bring diversity of outlook.

University destinations data from the most recent leavers show one student securing a Cambridge place from 15 Oxbridge applicants, reflecting realistic rather than inflated expectations. Beyond Oxbridge, leavers progress to a range of universities across the full spectrum, with emphasis placed on finding the right fit rather than chasing prestige. The school has embedded careers education from Year 7 through Year 13, ensuring younger pupils understand progression pathways early.

Inspectors found that teachers hold expert subject knowledge and explain concepts clearly. Pupils express enthusiasm for learning, and the curriculum is positioned as challenging yet accessible. The integration of Catholic values across subjects — whether through ethics debates in sciences, human rights discussions in history, or business ethics in economics — creates coherence rather than fragmentation. Sixth Form students undertake specialist extension seminars and are encouraged toward intellectual independence.

Sports: Comprehensive and Ambitious

The college offers no fewer than twenty sports, reflecting a genuine commitment to physical development across the ability range. Named offerings include rugby, football, cricket, netball, basketball, rowing, rounders, tennis, archery, cheerleading, and fencing. A four-court sports hall, funded through a £1.2 million interest-free loan and constructed in 2019, provides a dedicated facility that enables regular competitive fixtures alongside recreational participation. Students are expected to engage in physical education lessons that develop both skill and tactical understanding, with the explicit aim of fostering lifelong commitment to healthy, active living. Competitive teams exist across year groups, and the breadth of choice means pupils gravitate toward genuine interests rather than being pushed into sport they dislike.

Music: A Stated Specialism

The school identifies music as a particular specialism, and this comes through in school materials with genuine weight rather than as rhetoric. Multiple ensembles operate: choral groups, orchestras, and smaller ensembles enable pupils at varying levels to participate meaningfully. The vision of "best in class music tuition and unparalleled musical opportunities both within and beyond the classroom" suggests investment in specialist staff and facilities. Weekly co-curricular music activities allow pupils to explore instruments, singing, and ensemble work beyond the formal curriculum.

Drama and Performing Arts

Drama features prominently, with opportunities for performance across multiple venues throughout the academic year. Sixth Form students undertake drama activities, and whole-college events such as end-of-year productions and assemblies integrate performance into the rhythm of school life.

Societies and Focused Clubs

The school explicitly expects all students in Years 7-9 to attend at least one club or society weekly. Documented provision includes:

• Debating Society: Develops critical thinking and public speaking
• Environmental Society: Focuses on sustainability and local action
• Racial Justice Society: Explores identity, equity, and activism
• Well-being Committee: Supports mental health and resilience initiatives
• Liturgy and Chaplaincy Leadership: Allows sixth formers to lead prayer, plan Masses, and mentor younger pupils
• Volunteer Inclusion Partnership (VIP): Sixth formers trained to support peers and younger students within co-located Strathmore School, creating meaningful inclusion across the broader site

Leadership and Service Opportunities

Sixth Form students undertake leadership roles including supporting Year 7 transitions, assisting primary colleagues during lunch supervision and mentoring, and acting as subject ambassadors. The school's Catholic ethos emphasises service; sixth formers have opportunities to join a Lourdes pilgrimage (supporting disabled children in France), lead faith-focused retreats, and engage in "Heart to Heart" volunteer teaching within the primary school. These are substantive rather than tokenistic, involving weeks of commitment and genuine responsibility.

Co-Curricular Culture

The college's stated aim — that co-curricular activities contribute to "a high-quality education of the whole person"—is evidenced across the year. Theatre trips, sporting fixtures, retreats, music performances, and challenge activities are regular. The broad spectrum of offerings ensures that whether a student's passion is fencing, debating, music ensemble work, or environmental activism, there exists a genuine pathway to develop that interest to depth.

Students complete their final GCSE year before considering sixth form progression. Internally, progression from Year 11 to Year 12 is not automatic; pupils must meet academic entry requirements set by the school, typically around grade 5 in core subjects, with higher thresholds for specific A-level pathways. External sixth form applications are welcomed, and approximately 30% of sixth form cohort comprises external entrants.

From primary school into the high school, feeder patterns show that roughly 40% of Year 7 cohort progresses from the co-located primary, with the remainder coming from surrounding primaries across Richmond and beyond. The Catholic character provides mild gravitational pull, but the school's growing reputation for academic strength and pastoral care has broadened its appeal beyond the faith community.

University progression reflects a realistic mix: whilst one Cambridge place is notable from 15 applicants, the broader picture shows leavers entering universities across the spectrum — Russell Group institutions, established but less selective universities, and specialist colleges. The school's focus on student fit rather than league table chasing suggests a healthy approach to post-secondary planning.

Entry to Year 7 operates through the standard Richmond upon Thames admissions process. The school receives approximately 4.78 applications per place, indicating consistent oversubscription. In the most recent published admissions data, the primary entry point attracted 956 applications for 200 places, a highly competitive ratio reflecting both the school's Catholic draw and its growing academic reputation.

Priority is given first to looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, then to Catholic candidates (verified through baptismal certificate or Certificate of Catholic Practice from a parish priest), and finally to other applicants ranked by distance from school. Non-Catholic families may apply and, if successful, receive places under the standard admissions protocol; approximately 10% of primary places go to non-Catholic families without faith requirement.

For sixth form entry, external applicants compete alongside internal progressors. The school aims to admit a minimum of 30 external students per year group, provided they meet academic requirements. Sixth form applicants apply directly through UCAS Progress with a supplementary information form.

The application deadline for Year 7 entry (September 2026) is 31 October 2025. Open mornings and college tours are offered regularly; Wednesday and Friday mornings typically host prospective parent visits from September onwards, bookable through the school's Eventbrite system. An open evening usually falls in early October each year.

The college day runs from 9:05am to 3:20pm (high school) with supervision beginning at 8:55am. No on-site parking is available; ANPR cameras are active during school hours (7:45–9:15am and 2:00–3:30pm term-time) on surrounding streets, with exemption forms available for families requiring access. The site occupies Clifden Road, Twickenham, with excellent transport links via TfL buses and walking distance from Twickenham Station (approximately 15 minutes on foot).

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Incidental costs include uniform, examination fees, school trips, and music lessons (if pursued). The school holds partnerships with local secondary music services and offers peripatetic tuition for most orchestral and band instruments at moderate rates.

Pastoral structures operate through tutor groups of roughly 25-30 students, each with a dedicated tutor who knows pupils well and acts as first point of contact for families. House structures (named after Saints) create vertical communities that cross year groups, fostering mentoring relationships.

Ofsted noted that pupils feel happy and safe, and behaviour is described as impeccable. Inspectors found that leaders respond to pupil feedback, evidenced by incremental refinements to structures and policies. A chaplaincy team provides spiritual support and counselling; wellbeing committees and peer support networks supplement formal provision.

The co-location with Strathmore School (a specialist provision for up to 48 children with severe sensory and complex needs) creates genuine inclusion opportunities. Mainstream pupils volunteer, collaborate on projects, and see peers who learn differently integrated into the campus life. This exposure builds empathy and challenges narrow assumptions about what school should look like.

Strong Catholic identity: Whilst non-Catholic families are welcomed, the school's Catholic character is explicit and pervasive. Prayer, worship, and religious education are non-negotiable. Families uncomfortable with daily faith practice should reflect carefully before applying.

Competitive entry: With 4.78 applications per place, securing entry requires living relatively close to the school and (if not Catholic) meeting high standards on non-religious criteria. Distance-based allocation means geography matters significantly.

Sixth form entry is selective: Internal progression is not guaranteed; external applicants face competition. Students must meet specific grade requirements per subject, and not all Year 11 cohort moves into Year 12.

Newer sixth form: Whilst the high school is now mature, the sixth form has operated for fewer than a decade. Track record is strong, but families seeking a long-established sixth form culture should be aware of the more recent establishment.

St Richard Reynolds represents a genuinely successful integration of academic ambition with Catholic mission. The school delivers strong GCSE results, a broadening sixth form, and an extensive extracurricular offer without sacrificing the pastoral warmth that defines its character. Ofsted's Outstanding rating, combined with consistent oversubscription and positive parent feedback, reflects a school doing the difficult work well: balancing rigour with inclusivity, faith with openness, and examination success with broader human development.

Best suited to Catholic families and those from other faiths genuinely seeking a values-driven education where spiritual growth runs alongside academic challenge. The tight admissions ratio means distance and Catholic priority matter significantly; proximity to the Twickenham location is a practical prerequisite. For families securing entry, the school offers a coherent, ambitious, and notably kind environment in which to spend five or more formative years.