St Thomas More Catholic Academy and Sixth Form College: A Faith-Centred Education with Solid Results

The site on Greenmoor Road has educated young people for over eight decades. Originally the Arbury Senior Council School, built in 1938 and designed by local architect H. N. Jepson, the building was repurposed in 1974 when St Joseph's Roman Catholic High School relocated here, establishing St Thomas More Catholic School. Now operating as part of the Holy Spirit Catholic Multi-Academy Company since 2015, the school serves approximately 1,070 students aged 11–18 across a mixed intake. With a dedicated sixth form established in 2011, the college offers students a path through to university, with 92% of sixth form leavers progressing to higher education, nearly half securing places at Russell Group universities. The school is graded Good by Ofsted, placing it solidly above England's secondary average, and academic results sit comfortably within the top 25% nationally (FindMySchool ranking).

Mrs Leearna Thomas has led the school as Principal since February 2018, inheriting a well-established Catholic community and building upon its strengths with renewed energy. The prevailing culture is underpinned by Gospel values and the school's explicit mission to support students on their journey of faith. Behaviour is described as respectful and calm, with staff noting that pupils experience the school as a happy, safe place to learn. The school places particular emphasis on what it calls the Holy Spirit Experience, a framework encompassing five pillars: Catholic Life, Charities and Social Action, The Residential Experience, Sporting Opportunities, and Cultural and Creative Experiences.

The school occupies a 13-acre site with both historic and modern elements. The Victorian buildings coexist with purpose-built facilities including a dedicated sixth form complex designed by architects TSH, which features a substantial atrium, seminar rooms, science laboratories, design studios, drama and dance spaces, a small lecture theatre, art room, and library. A refurbished sports centre provides modern training facilities. The atmosphere is one of organised purposefulness, with clear pastoral structures and house systems (spanning Years 7–11) that foster a sense of belonging. Staff engagement is notably high; in a recent survey, 100% of staff reported pride in working at St Thomas More and confirmed that students are safe.

GCSE Attainment

At GCSE, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.9 in the most recent published cycle, placing it above the England average of approximately 48.8. Progress 8 — which measures how much ground pupils make from their starting point at Key Stage 2 — stands at +0.03, indicating results broadly in line with national progress expectations. The school ranks 1,094th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the top 25% of secondary schools nationally (FindMySchool data, top 25% band).

Within the English Baccalaureate (a measure combining English, mathematics, sciences, history or geography, and languages), 28% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above — higher than the broader England average for this measure. The school emphasises breadth in Key Stage 4, requiring all students to study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (either combined or separate), Religious Education, Humanities (History or Geography), and French or Spanish, with further option subjects including GCSE Art, Drama, BTEC Music, Cambridge National Engineering, BTEC Health and Social Care, and GCSE PE.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results are similarly solid. At A-level, 48% of grades awarded fall into the A*–B range, compared to an England average of approximately 47%. The school ranks 1,178th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it within the middle band nationally. The sixth form offers a broad palette of subjects, with students typically studying three or four A-levels over two years. The school places explicit emphasis on facilitating subjects (Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography, English Literature, and Classical or Modern Languages) to prepare students for competitive university applications. All students also complete Core Religious Education and a Personal Development programme focused on citizenship and worldliness.

The curriculum is structured around mastery and concept-driven learning, emphasising knowledge-rich teaching across all year groups. Teachers focus on the "big ideas" underpinning each discipline, ensuring progression is clear and learning builds incrementally. Particular strengths include explicit attention to vocabulary acquisition and a school-wide commitment to reading as a joyful practice, not merely a functional skill. At Key Stage 3, breadth is prioritised; students experience a balanced curriculum across humanities, sciences, languages, and the arts, with specialist sports teaching delivering facilities-led learning in badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby, and tennis.

Across Key Stages 3 and 4, retrieval practice is built into lessons to embed knowledge and maintain long-term memory. Students are encouraged to apply learning to new contexts and think critically about what they study. In the sixth form, smaller class groups (typically 10–15 pupils per subject) enable more personalised feedback and challenge. The school offers the Extended Project Qualification in Year 12, allowing independent deep research into a student-chosen topic, and encourages students to pursue the Certificate in Financial Studies in Year 13. Beyond the classroom, mentoring, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (run to Gold level), and participation in the Young Catholic Leaders programme support character development.

University Progression

The sixth form publicises strong progression to higher education. Approximately 92% of sixth form leavers proceed to university, with 48% securing places at Russell Group universities — figures the school emphasises as exceeding national averages significantly. Within this cohort, Russell Group destinations include Imperial College, University College London, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick. The school reports competitive application outcomes, with 18 Oxbridge applications submitted and strong medical school uptake (12 students securing medical school places in 2024).

Year 11 Destinations

Among Year 11 leavers (cohort 2023–24, n=91), the destination profile reflects both academic and vocational pathways. Approximately 53% progressed to university or further education, 24% entered employment, 11% began apprenticeships, and 1% moved into further education. The school coordinates work experience placements at the end of Year 12 to help students test career interests and develop applied skills.

The school's extracurricular programme is extensive and explicitly woven into its ethos through the Holy Spirit Experience. Activities span artistic, sporting, and intellectual domains, offering genuine breadth rather than token offerings.

Sports and Athletics

Sports are a significant pillar. The newly refurbished on-site sports centre provides modern facilities. Competitive clubs operate in football, volleyball, netball, basketball, rugby, and athletics to high standards, with students regularly appearing in town and district finals. Individual sports representation includes cheerleading, badminton, cricket, and tennis. The school celebrates sporting achievement through an awards system and maintains strong participation rates. Students describe the PE department as "exceptional," with opportunities to represent school teams in competitive fixtures throughout the year and a culture that recognises achievement at both elite and participation level.

Music and Performing Arts

Music provision includes ensemble opportunities across choir, orchestra, and smaller musical groups. Drama is actively encouraged, with productions running across the year and dedicated drama spaces (including a newly built drama and dance studio within the sixth form building) providing venues for rehearsal and performance. Students engage with music and drama both as curricula subjects (GCSE and A-level options available) and through extracurricular clubs, allowing participation irrespective of prior experience or qualification level.

Academic Extension

Science and Mathematics clubs operate, providing extension opportunities for interested pupils. Language clubs cater to modern language learners keen to deepen cultural knowledge and communication skills. Home learning clubs support pupils requiring additional study space or structured academic support.

Youth and Social Engagement

The Youth Club runs weekly (Thursday afternoons/evenings) with mixed-ability participation in badminton, rugby, football, and table tennis. The school places significant emphasis on social responsibility and character development, with students given opportunities to volunteer, fundraise for charities (including local disability support charities), and engage in service projects as part of their wider education. Mentoring roles — House Captains, Form Representatives, Librarians, Student Leadership Team members, Mental Health Ambassadors, and Catholic Life Ambassadors — provide structured leadership development. Residential experiences are coordinated as part of the wider enrichment offer, enabling personal challenge and team-building beyond the school gates.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is available to all, with progression from Bronze through Silver to Gold, supporting pupils to develop resilience, self-reliance, and leadership.

The school is non-selective and oversubscribed. At Key Stage 3 entry, the school received 437 applications for approximately 154 places in recent admissions (an oversubscription ratio of 2.84:1). Admissions operate through the local authority's coordinated scheme; parents rank the school on the LA application form, with offers allocated according to the school's published admissions criteria (typically giving priority to looked-after children and siblings, then distance from the school gates). No entrance examination or interview is required.

Sixth form entry requires a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, ideally including English and Mathematics. Specific subjects carry individual entry requirements, with facilitating subjects requiring higher GCSE grades to ensure preparation for post-16 study. The sixth form is open to internal and external applicants, though internal progression is typical. Entry to some vocational courses may be available with lower prior achievement if the applicant demonstrates genuine motivation and aptitude.

The school is a Catholic academy within a multi-academy company. While no specific "Catholic criteria" operate at GCSE entry, the school's ethos is explicitly Catholic, and students are expected to engage respectfully with daily prayer, regular Masses (particularly during liturgical seasons), and religious education as integral to school life.

The school day runs from approximately 8:50 am to 3:20 pm. No wraparound care (breakfast or after-school club) appears to be formally advertised, though the school hosts a Youth Club on Thursday afternoons/evenings. Sixth form students often study independently in the library or dedicated study spaces outside timetabled hours. School uniform is compulsory (navy blazer, black trousers or navy skirt, light blue shirt, school tie), with specific items — badges, bags, ties — available from local or online suppliers. The school operates a uniform recycling scheme and provides second-hand items at no cost to families experiencing financial hardship.

Public transport links are available via local bus routes to Nuneaton town centre and beyond. The school is located on Greenmoor Road, approximately 2 miles north of Nuneaton town centre, accessible by foot or cycle for families within reasonable distance, though most students arrive by bus or family car.

Pastoral structures are well-established. Each student is assigned to a form tutor who oversees wellbeing and provides academic mentoring throughout their time at the school. Head of Year leaders oversee each year group, working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Leads to ensure student welfare. The school employs trained counsellors and has embedded mental health support, with peer support schemes (Mental Health Ambassadors) fostering student-to-student wellbeing. Behaviour is managed through clear, consistent policies with recognition of positive conduct through postcards and certificates. Safeguarding is taken seriously, with staff trained in recognised risks and responses. The school explicitly states commitment to early intervention to support students' academic, social, and spiritual development.

Faith expectation is integral, not optional. The school's Catholic ethos is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, regular Masses, explicit Catholic teaching in Religious Education, and regular retreats form part of the school experience. Families uncomfortable with a faith-centred education should look carefully at whether this aligns with their values. That said, students of other or no faith are admitted and respected; the expectation is engagement with Catholic teaching and practice, not necessarily personal belief.

GCSE and A-level results are solid but not exceptional. While the school outperforms the England average and sits in the top 25% nationally, results do not place it among the very highest-performing schools. For families seeking an extremely selective or academically elite environment, neighbouring grammar schools or independent schools may be more suitable. Equally, for students significantly below average attainment, additional targeted support may be available but is not a defining feature advertised by the school.

Oversubscription makes entry competitive. With demand exceeding places by nearly 3:1, families within the catchment should not assume a place is certain. Distance from the school gates is the primary criterion post-priority groups. Families relying on a place here should verify current distance thresholds with Warwickshire's admissions team annually, as these fluctuate.

St Thomas More offers a well-rounded Catholic secondary education with proven academic results, strong pastoral systems, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school is well-led, with staff engagement and pupil safety as stated priorities. Results place it comfortably within the top 25% nationally (FindMySchool ranking), and sixth form progression to university — particularly Russell Group institutions — is impressive. The Catholic character is authentic and woven throughout school life, which suits families seeking a faith-centred environment. Best suited to families within the catchment who value Catholic education and want solid academic results alongside genuine pastoral care and broad extracurricular engagement. Entry is competitive, so early awareness of admission timelines and distance thresholds is essential.