De Lisle College Loughborough Review 2026: Academic Strength and Catholic Community

In the leafy suburbs of Thorpe Acre, where mid century homes meet the expansive green spaces of Loughborough, De Lisle College has stood as a bastion of Catholic education for decades. The college operates as an all through secondary and sixth form, serving a large cohort of over 1,300 students. Its reputation is built on a foundation of rigorous academic standards and a deeply embedded faith ethos that attracts families from across Leicestershire.

The 2024 academic results tell a compelling story of high achievement, with the school ranking in the top tier for student progress in England. Led by Headteacher Mr Chris Maher, who succeeded Dr John Pye, the college maintains a focused, purposeful atmosphere where expectations are clear and consistently applied. As a cornerstone of the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi Academy Trust, the school benefits from a wide network of support while retaining a distinct, local identity rooted in the traditions of its namesake, landowner Ambrose Lisle March Phillipps De Lisle.

The campus on Thorpe Hill reveals a blend of functional 1950s structures and modern specialist blocks, including a dedicated Modern Foreign Languages wing and a humanities extension. The school chapel remains the spiritual heart of the college, where the motto Quod justum, non quod utile (What is fair, not what is useful) is lived out through regular liturgy and a strong emphasis on social justice. Students often refer to the "De Lisle family," a term that captures the close knit community feel despite the large scale of the institution.

There is a sense of order and respect that permeates the school. Students move between lessons with a quiet purpose, and the house system (Margaret Clitherow, Thomas More, John Fisher, and Ralph Sherwin) ensures that every child belongs to a smaller, supportive group. The historical stag logo, a nod to the deer that once roamed this land, serves as a constant reminder of the school's heritage and its roots in the local community.

The academic results at De Lisle College are a clear highlight for prospective parents. The school ranks 911th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and sits at 3rd among the schools in Loughborough. This performance places the college firmly within the national strong band, representing the top 25% of schools in England.

The Progress 8 score of +0.58 is particularly impressive, indicating that students here achieve more than half a grade higher across their subjects than their peers with similar starting points. The average Attainment 8 score of 54.1 further reinforces this picture of high standards. At A level, the college sits within the national typical tier, reflecting a solid performance that is in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. In 2024, 41.3% of A level entries achieved grades A* to B, providing a reliable platform for university progression.

Teaching at De Lisle follows a structured, curriculum led approach. In the secondary phase, there is a significant emphasis on the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, with 28.9% of students achieving a grade 5 or above across these core disciplines. The curriculum is designed to be both broad and challenging, with specialist teaching in sciences and languages available from an early stage.

The sixth form, housed in a dedicated centre, offers over 25 different subjects. Students benefit from smaller class sizes and a more independent study environment that mimics the university experience. Teachers are frequently described as having expert subject knowledge, and the school has a history of specialist status in science, which continues to inform the strength of the STEM provision.

Where Students Go Next

The transition to higher education is a well trodden path for De Lisle leavers. In the 2023 to 2024 cohort, 77% of students progressed to university, with a further 4% securing apprenticeships and 10% entering employment. Popular destinations include Russell Group institutions like the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham, alongside local success at Loughborough University.

The college provides a comprehensive careers programme that starts early in the secondary phase. For sixth formers, there is specialized support for UCAS applications and competitive entry into medical, veterinary, and dental schools.

Securing a place at De Lisle is a competitive endeavor. The school is consistently oversubscribed, having received 482 applications for 216 places in the last major intake round. This results in a subscription proportion of 2.23, meaning there are more than two applications for every available seat.

As a Catholic academy, priority is given to baptized Catholic children, particularly those from the seven designated Catholic primary schools in the local area (including Sacred Heart and St Mary's). Parents applying on faith grounds must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the standard local authority application. While the school does admit children from other faiths and those of no faith, these places are limited and allocated based on the published oversubscription criteria.

Pastoral care is deeply rooted in the school's Catholic character. The tutor system provides the primary layer of support, with house leaders overseeing the broader social and emotional development of students. The school employs a chaplain who is available for both spiritual and personal guidance, and there is a dedicated wellbeing team to handle more complex mental health and emotional needs.

External assessments highlight the positive and respectful relationships between staff and students. Bullying is handled with a clear, zero tolerance approach, and students report feeling safe and well supported within the school community.

The extracurricular programme is a vibrant part of school life. Music and performing arts are particularly strong, with annual productions that draw on talents from across all year groups. The school's facilities include a swimming pool, which supports a robust sports programme including swimming galas, football, rugby, and netball.

STEM enrichment is also a feature, with coding clubs and science societies providing outlets for curious minds. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is highly active, with a dedicated coordinator supporting students from Bronze through to Gold levels.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Located on Thorpe Hill, the college is accessible via local bus routes, though many parents utilize the school's own transport links from across the county. The site uses a cashless vending system for school meals, operated via biometric thumbprints, which streamlines the lunch service.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state funded Catholic academy, De Lisle College does not charge tuition fees. It is free for all students aged 11 to 18. Financial support for school trips and uniform is available for families eligible for Pupil Premium or those experiencing temporary hardship. The St Thomas Aquinas Trust provides a central fund to ensure that no student is excluded from curriculum based activities due to financial constraints.

• Intense Admissions Competition: With over two applicants for every place, securing entry can be difficult for those without a baptismal certificate or a connection to a feeder school.
• Large School Environment: While the house system provides a smaller community feel, the sheer size of the campus and the 1,300 strong student body may be overwhelming for some children.
• Infrastructure Investment: While the teaching and care are highly rated, some areas of the original 1950s buildings would benefit from further modernization compared to purpose built new academies.

De Lisle College is a high performing, faith led institution that successfully balances academic ambition with compassionate pastoral care. Its GCSE results are among the best in the region, and its commitment to the "De Lisle family" makes it a top choice for Catholic families. It is best suited to students who thrive in a structured environment and parents who want their children to receive a rigorous education within a clear moral framework.