In the Saltersgill area of Middlesbrough, Trinity Catholic College stands as a substantial secondary and post-16 institution, serving a diverse community under the banner of the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT). With a capacity for 1,500 students, it is one of the larger Catholic schools in the North East, providing an all-through secondary experience from Year 7 to Year 13. The college was formed through the merger of St David’s and Mary’s Catholic schools and has occupied its purpose-built site on Lacy Road since 2011.
The current head teacher, Mr Andy Rodgers, took the lead in September 2022, bringing a focus on stability and the renewal of the school's Catholic mission. The college provides a broad, comprehensive education where the Catholic ethos is woven into the daily routine. While academic performance has faced challenges in recent years, particularly following the pandemic, the school remains a cornerstone for Catholic families in Cleveland, offering a seamless transition from its many partner primary schools.
The atmosphere at Trinity Catholic College is defined by its Catholic identity and its role as a community hub. The physical environment is modern and expansive, featuring a large atrium that serves as a social heart for the student body. As part of NPCAT, the college benefits from being part of a larger network of schools, which facilitates shared resources and a common set of Gospel Values that are visible in the corridors and classrooms.
Students are encouraged to view themselves as part of a "Trinity family." This sense of belonging is fostered through the house system (Bede, Clitherow, Fisher, Postgate, and Hilda) and daily collective worship. The morning starts with prayer, and the school year is punctuated by liturgical celebrations in the college chapel and at the nearby Holy Name of Mary church. The arrival of Mr Rodgers has seen a renewed emphasis on "The Trinity Way," a set of behavioral and aspirational standards designed to raise expectations across the board.
The student body is mixed and reflects the industrial heritage and modern diversity of Middlesbrough. While the school is large, the pastoral structures are designed to make it feel smaller, with Year 12 and 13 students often taking on mentoring roles for younger pupils. The college serves as a safe haven for many, focusing on social mobility as much as spiritual growth.
Academic performance at Trinity Catholic College currently sits below the England average, reflecting a period of transition and post-pandemic recovery. In the 2024 GCSE results, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 38.1. According to proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official 2024 data, the college ranks 3,178th in England for GCSE outcomes and 8th among secondary schools in Middlesbrough.
The Progress 8 score of -0.73 indicates that students, on average, make less progress between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 than their peers across England. In terms of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above across the core subjects, compared to the England average of 40.5% for entry.
At the post-16 level, the 2024 A-level results show that 24.8% of students achieved grades of A*-B, which is below the England average of 47.2%. The college ranks 2,268th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 5th locally in Middlesbrough. While the headline figures are currently in the national lower tier, the school has noted specific strengths in vocational subjects and technical qualifications, which are popular choices for the sixth form cohort.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
24.79%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Trinity is designed to be inclusive, offering a mix of traditional academic subjects and vocational pathways. In the lower school, there is a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside Religious Education, which is a mandatory part of the curriculum for all students. The school has worked to modernize its Key Stage 3 offering to ensure it provides a more robust foundation for GCSE study.
Teachers are supported by the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust’s central standards team, which provides curriculum planning and subject-specific training. This partnership has introduced more rigorous assessment tracking to identify students who are falling behind earlier in their secondary journey. In the Sixth Form, the college offers a range of A-levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications, with a focus on preparing students for local employment and regional universities.
Small group interventions and catch-up sessions are a regular feature for Year 11 and Year 13 students. The college also utilizes digital learning platforms to support homework and independent study, aiming to bridge the digital divide for students who may not have extensive resources at home.
For a school in this context, the destination data is a vital measure of success. In the 2024 leavers' cohort, 62% of students progressed to university. This is a significant achievement for the college and highlights its role in encouraging higher education aspirations in Middlesbrough. A further 24% of students entered direct employment, reflecting the school’s strong links with local industry and apprenticeship providers.
While the college does not currently have a high volume of Oxbridge entrants, with zero acceptances recorded in the last measurement period, the focus remains on securing places at Russell Group and regional universities such as Teesside, Newcastle, and Durham. Apprenticeships accounted for 3% of the leavers, and 2% moved into further education colleges. The school’s "Future Me" programme provides structured career advice from Year 7 through to Year 13, including mock interviews and workplace visits.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Trinity Catholic College is a state-funded academy with a clear faith-based admissions policy. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed at the primary entry route (for Year 7), receiving 445 applications for 233 offers. This represents a subscription proportion of 1.91, indicating that nearly two families applied for every available place.
Priority is given to baptized Catholic children who attend partner Catholic primary schools in the Middlesbrough area. However, the school also welcomes children from other faiths and those of no faith who support the college's Catholic ethos, provided there are spaces available. Parents must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) alongside the standard Local Authority application to prove faith status.
For the Sixth Form, entry is based on achieving specific GCSE grades, typically a minimum of five grades at 4 or above, with higher requirements for specific A-level subjects like Mathematics and the Sciences.
Applications
445
Total received
Places Offered
233
Subscription Rate
1.9x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is rooted in the Catholic principle of "cura personalis" (care for the whole person). Each student is assigned to a form group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact. The college employs a dedicated safeguarding and wellbeing team, which includes a chaplain and mental health leads.
Following its most recent inspection in November 2024, the school was rated Good in four out of five areas, including leadership and management, behavior and attitudes, and personal development. Inspectors noted a striking impact of new leaders and a calm, orderly atmosphere that is now the norm. The college operates a zero tolerance approach to bullying and uses a restorative justice model to resolve conflicts. The Trinity Sixth Form has its own dedicated pastoral lead to help older students manage the transition to adulthood and the pressures of external examinations.
Extracurricular life at Trinity is varied, with a strong emphasis on sports and social action. The college boasts impressive sporting facilities, including an all-weather 3G pitch and a large sports hall. The T6 Football Academy is a notable highlight, providing elite coaching alongside academic study for post-16 students.
Creative arts are also represented, with a school choir that performs at trust-wide events and an annual drama production. The college is active in the St Vincent de Paul Society, where students organize food bank collections and community outreach projects in Middlesbrough.
The college has made significant strides in its STEM provision, particularly through its partnership with local engineering and chemical companies. The Science department features modern laboratories where students engage in practical work from Year 7. Robotics and coding clubs are popular after-school options, and the college frequently participates in regional STEM challenges. The focus here is on practical application, showing students how Science and Maths lead directly to careers in the Tees Valley's industrial sector.
The school day at Trinity Catholic College begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The college is well-served by local transport links, with 12 bus routes planned to suit the needs of students across the Teesside area. There is ample cycle storage for students who choose to bike to school.
For Sixth Form students, the college provides a dedicated study center that remains open until 4:30pm most days to allow for independent work. While the school does not have a formal breakfast club for all years, the canteen is open before school for students to gather.
As a state-funded academy, Trinity Catholic College does not charge tuition fees. However, the school recognizes that financial barriers should not hinder a student's education. For post-16 students, a Sixth Form Bursary is available to help with college costs such as transport, equipment, and trips. Eligibility is typically based on household income or specific financial circumstances. Middlesbrough Council also provides a Post-16 Education Transport Statement to assist families with travel costs.
Trinity Catholic College is a school with a heart, deeply rooted in its local Middlesbrough community and its Catholic mission. While its current academic rankings place it in the lower tier nationally, the school provides a nurturing environment with a clear upward trajectory under Mr Rodgers' leadership. It is best suited to Catholic families seeking a faith-led education where pastoral care and community belonging are prioritized. For those seeking high-octane academic competition, the results may not yet meet expectations, but for students who want a supportive, values-based journey into adulthood, Trinity remains a vital local choice.
According to the November 2024 Ofsted inspection, Trinity Catholic College is rated Good for leadership, behavior, personal development, and sixth form provision. While Quality of Education was rated "Requires Improvement," inspectors noted that pupils enjoy an improving educational experience and high-quality leadership is making a pivotal difference.
There are no tuition fees as this is a state-funded academy. Financial support is available via the Sixth Form Bursary for eligible students to help with equipment and travel.
Applications are made through Middlesbrough Council's coordinated admissions process by the 31 October deadline. Because it is a Catholic school, you must also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and send it directly to the school.
Yes, Trinity has a dedicated sixth form known as T6, offering both A-levels and BTEC qualifications. It features specialized programs like the T6 Football Academy and sent 62% of its leavers to university in 2024.
The school does not have a strict geographical catchment area. Instead, it prioritizes children from its partner Catholic primary schools and baptized Catholic children living in the local parishes. In the last year, it was oversubscribed with a subscription proportion of 1.91.
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