Aquinas College Review 2026: Strong A-Level Results in a Catholic Sixth Form Community

Named after St Thomas Aquinas by the Diocese of Shrewsbury when it was established in 1980, Aquinas College has grown from serving a handful of students into one of England's largest Catholic sixth form colleges, welcoming around 1,800 post-16 students annually. The college sits in Heaton Moor, Stockport, drawing pupils from across Greater Manchester and beyond. With 57% of A-level grades at A* to B in 2024, and an Ofsted rating of Good from its most recent inspection, the college offers a genuinely mixed intake across a comprehensive range of academic and vocational courses. No tuition fees apply, making it accessible to all families within its admissions criteria.

Just inside the main entrance, you encounter a striking campus shaped by substantial recent investment. The Romero Building, officially opened in November 2025, stands as the newest addition to the college estate, symbolising the institution's commitment to modernising teaching and learning spaces for its expanding cohort. The atmosphere is purposefully calm and purposive. Staff and students move with clear direction through corridors, and the sense of structured community is palpable.

Ms Jo Dommett became Principal in September 2025, taking the helm from Danny Pearson, who led the college for fourteen years and oversaw major expansion. Under Dommett's leadership, the college continues to advance its mission rooted in Gospel values. Daily morning prayer and weekly Mass remain central to college life, attended by staff and students who embrace the overtly Catholic character. This is not a school where faith sits separately from educational practice; it permeates pastoral structures, the curriculum, and daily rituals. Students describe a real sense of community. Testimonials on the college website speak consistently of genuine welcome, inclusivity, and teachers who go the extra mile.

The college's philosophy is explicit: freedom, justice, and love form the bedrock. This is lived, not merely stated. In an era where many educational institutions shy away from articulating values, Aquinas announces its ethical framework confidently and consistently embeds it in everything from tutorial programmes to charity work. The Pathways department, serving students with significant learning needs, ensures no young person is overlooked, with specialist two-year programmes providing Entry and Level 1 qualifications alongside personalised transition support.

A-Level Academic Performance

Aquinas College ranks 832nd in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it at the 31st percentile, in the national typical performance band reflecting the middle 35% of schools in England. This is solid, reliable performance in a competitive landscape.

The 2024 A-level results tell the story well. Across the cohort, 57% of grades achieved A* to B, significantly above the England average of 47%. Individual grade breakdowns show 7% achieved A*, 18% achieved A, and 32% achieved B. The pass rate was 99%, indicating that nearly all students who enter examinations complete them successfully. These metrics reveal a college where the majority of students make strong progress, with a meaningful proportion securing the highest grades.

Subject strengths are distributed across the curriculum. Theology and Religious Studies are particularly strong, reflecting the college's Catholic mission and specialist expertise. Physics students travelled to CERN in January 2026, an experience arranged specifically to build practical research skills. Music offerings span A-Level Music (theoretical and practical), A-Level Music Technology (focusing on production and recording), and BTEC Music Performance (100% practical). This breadth allows specialists to flourish while non-specialists gain exposure.

A-level entries span approximately 50 subjects, a genuine breadth that distinguishes Aquinas from many competitors. Beyond traditional academics, the college offers Japanese, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics, Media Studies, Film Studies, and Criminology. Drama and Theatre attracts serious practitioners, with practical, project-based learning. The college also runs a High Achievers Programme (known informally as "Triple A") for students targeting Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group universities. This structured support exists alongside the mainstream provision, ensuring students with specific aspirations receive targeted guidance.

Teaching is characterised by subject expertise and structured delivery. The college has invested significantly in information learning technology (ILT) to enhance lessons. Chemistry teachers, for instance, use digital simulations to visualise molecular interactions. The virtual learning environment provides high-quality course materials accessible outside lessons, extending learning beyond the classroom. The college website proudly notes that 99% of students achieve a pass rate, with 60% reaching grades A* to B in 2024.

Feedback mechanisms are robust. Each student receives initial assessment before enrolment and comprehensive diagnostic testing in their chosen subjects to identify support needs early. For mathematics specifically, the head of department interviews students at enrolment to ensure they select the appropriate level, and targeted workshop support runs throughout the day. Teachers provide both formal feedback on coursework and substantial informal support in and out of lessons.

The core studies programme, undertaken by all students, ensures that despite curriculum specialism, every learner engages with General Religious Education, tutorials, and enrichment opportunities. Core Maths is available for students who have achieved grade 4 or above at GCSE but chose not to pursue A-level mathematics. The Extended Project Qualification allows capable students to pursue independent research in areas of deep interest, with one recent cohort producing notable investigations in environmental science and literary analysis.

The leavers destinations data reveals a strong progression pathway. In 2023/24, 52% of students progressed to university, with 26% entering employment, 8% beginning apprenticeships, and 2% progressing to further education. Given that approximately 90% of level 3 students successfully transition to higher education, these overall figures reflect the blend of students across A-level, vocational, and Pathways provisions.

University destinations cluster heavily around respected institutions. In 2024, three students secured places at Cambridge and zero at Oxford from the 49 Oxbridge applicants (14% offer rate, 6% acceptance rate overall). Beyond Oxbridge, students regularly secure places at Russell Group universities including Durham, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, and Imperial College London. Medicine and dentistry remain popular pathways, with 2024 seeing significant medical school places awarded. The academic quality at university is reflected in alumni who now hold positions in law, medicine, engineering, and education.

Vocational and apprenticeship pathways are equally respected. Students completing BTEC and applied qualifications often progress directly to work in creative industries, sport, business, and public services. The college works closely with employers to ensure vocational courses meet industry needs, and work placement opportunities are embedded in several programmes.

The extracurricular landscape is genuinely rich, extending far beyond token activities. This is where the college's holistic mission becomes visible.

Sports and Physical Activity: The dedicated Sports building houses facilities for basketball, football, netball, and volleyball. A-Level Physical Education is complemented by competitive teams representing the college at district and regional level. The Diploma in Sport (Double) is particularly strong, with Cambridge Technical qualifications providing both theoretical understanding and practical coaching opportunities. Students engage in adapted golf, cricket, and yoga in the Pathways programme. The college maintains exceptionally successful football and netball teams, noted specifically in external reviews for their competitive excellence and inclusive culture.

Music and Performing Arts: Music is central to college life. Students benefit from ensemble experiences including a college choir, orchestra, and smaller chamber groups. The music BTEC offers 100% practical learning in performance and composition. A-Level Music Technology operates a fully equipped production suite where students engineer recordings and learn the technical craft behind professional releases. The Annual Certificate Evening in December celebrates student achievement across all disciplines, with music performances integral to the occasion. Drama students have accessed industry networks through Stockroom, Stockport's new creative hub, where Media and Music students participated in Creative Careers Week engaging directly with professionals in fashion, music, and digital content sectors.

Academic Enrichment and Leadership: The High Achievers Programme, mentioned above, formalises support for gifted and talented students. The Oxbridge pathway programme provides structured guidance through personal statement development, interview technique, and subject-specific advanced reading. The Extended Project Qualification develops research independence. Student leadership is cultivated through the tutorial system, where senior students mentor younger peers.

Community Service and Voluntary Work: The India Project is the college's flagship, with students contributing to educational initiatives overseas. This is not a superficial "gap year" experience but an ongoing commitment embedded in the enrichment programme. Service learning is woven throughout college life, with students engaging in local community projects, charity work, and social action that exemplifies the Gospel values of justice and love.

Specialist Programmes for Students with Complex Needs: The Pathways department offers lunchtime activities including art and crafts, football in the sports hall, yoga, and adapted golf. Weekly assemblies and tutorials integrate Pathways students with mainstream peers where appropriate. The curriculum includes Functional Skills qualifications in Maths, English, and ICT, combined with independence skills teaching in travel planning, personal care, shopping, and cooking. Students complete community work placements in cafes, nurseries, care homes, charity shops, and supermarkets, building genuine employment skills.

Aquinas College operates on a non-selective basis, welcoming all applicants who meet minimum course requirements and prioritising Catholic students, then applicants from Catholic schools, then siblings of past students. Remaining places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The college is consistently oversubscribed, receiving applications from approximately twice as many students as there are places available.

Entry requirements for A-level typically require grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent). Students without these qualifications are enrolled on the Aspire programme, a bridging course providing intensive support in these core skills before or alongside A-level study. Level 2 qualifications in GCSE resit, vocational diplomas, and BTEC certificates provide alternative pathways for students not immediately ready for advanced study.

The college operates an open events programme each October, with the 2025 event welcoming prospective students to tour facilities, meet staff, and explore the breadth of curriculum. Virtual tours are available online via tour.aquinas.ac.uk. Contact the school directly for enquiries. Applications are made online through the college's admissions portal.

Pastoral support is woven throughout the college structure. Every student has a personal tutor who knows them individually, monitors progress across all subjects, and provides mentoring on academic development and personal wellbeing. The tutorial system deliberately integrates tutor groups across the college, mixing year groups and courses, fostering broader community beyond subject silos.

The college employs specialist support staff including a Learning Support team for students with additional needs, a full-time chaplain overseeing spiritual life and ethical development, and dedicated staff managing the Pathways programme. Mental health and wellbeing provision includes counselling services and peer support networks. Students are encouraged to raise concerns through multiple channels, including student leaders, tutors, and the college council.

Attendance and punctuality are monitored rigorously using the online management system, the pastoral log, which gives staff real-time visibility of patterns. Careers guidance is robust, with dedicated careers education supporting progression to higher education, employment, apprenticeships, and further training. The college works closely with universities and employers to ensure students receive current, accurate information about options beyond sixth form.

The group tutorial programme develops personal development, citizenship, and safe living. The ethics programme explicitly teaches religious, moral, and ethical reasoning, encouraging students to reflect on complex contemporary issues. Assemblies and liturgical events throughout the year provide opportunities for collective celebration of faith and spirituality, though the college acknowledges that lunchtime arrangements do not allow all students to attend weekly Mass.

The college operates Monday to Friday during standard academic terms. School hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. The college is a daytime institution; no wraparound care (breakfast club, after-school care) is offered, as all students are post-16 and expected to manage their own time.

Transport and access: The college is situated at Nangreave Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK2 6TH. Public transport links include bus routes serving the Heaton Moor area, and students from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Derbyshire travel to the college. Parking is available on campus for students and staff. The campus is served by main train lines within 2-3 miles, making it accessible for students travelling from further afield.

Facilities: The main college building underwent extensive renovation as part of a £42 million development project that commenced in 2010. The Romero Building, completed in 2025, houses specialist teaching spaces for all curriculum areas. The Sports building provides dedicated facilities. The library contains extensive physical and electronic resources. IT facilities include computer suites and specialist music technology studios.

The college does not charge tuition fees, as it is a state-funded establishment. However, students are advised that some subjects may involve optional trips or materials at additional cost. The college works with students requiring financial support for field trips and enrichment activities to ensure access is not compromised by cost.

Non-selective admissions: While this is philosophically admirable and ensures genuine inclusivity, it means the college serves a genuinely mixed-ability cohort. Some students arrive with lower prior attainment than others. The Aspire programme and learning support systems manage this well, but prospective students and families should understand that the college's strength lies in supporting all learners, not in selecting the highest-achieving intake.

Oversubscription: With roughly double the applications for places available, entry is genuinely competitive. The first-come, first-served allocation after Catholic prioritisation means that timing of application submission is significant. Families should register early.

Catholic mission: The college's identity is explicitly Catholic. Daily prayer, weekly Mass, religious education, and faith-based service are integral. Families uncomfortable with a religiously-defined environment, even a welcoming and inclusive one, should consider alternatives. However, the college actively welcomes students of other faiths and those with no religious commitment, providing a supportive rather than proselytising atmosphere.

Breadth vs. Depth: With approximately 50 A-level subjects and a comprehensive vocational offering, choice is vast. This requires thoughtful subject selection; advisors help significantly, but it remains important that students and parents engage actively with the decision-making process.

Recent leadership transition: Ms Jo Dommett arrived as Principal in September 2025, following fourteen years under Danny Pearson. While early indications suggest a smooth transition and continuity of direction, the college is in an early phase under new leadership.

Aquinas College is a large, inclusive, and genuinely welcoming sixth form with solid A-level results and a strong Catholic mission lived authentically across all aspects of college life. It is neither an exam-factory nor a refuge for the disengaged; it is a comprehensive community college that takes its responsibility to each individual student with genuine seriousness. The 57% A*-B rate demonstrates academic quality, while leavers destinations show strong progression to Russell Group universities and beyond.

Best suited to sixth-form students who value community, are comfortable with or respectful of an explicit Catholic ethos, and want genuine all-round development alongside academic progress. The college excels at supporting students with varied starting points, offering tailored pathways from vocational qualifications through to A-level. For families seeking a sixth form balancing rigorous academics with pastoral depth, spiritual space, and inclusive practice, Aquinas delivers on all three fronts.

The college's scale (1,800+ students) is significant; it is neither the intimate sixth form found in independent schools nor the highly specialist environment of some state grammar schools. Prospective students should visit open events in October to ascertain whether the busy, purposive atmosphere suits their learning style.