St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Birmingham, B38 8AP · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
23rd of 88 secondary schools in Birmingham we can score, 89 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.1/10 against 365 of them, against 7.8/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.7 · 71 | 30% | 2.12 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.6 · 88 | 25% | 2.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.9 · 74 | 10% | 0.74 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following a June 2024 inspection. In 2024/25, 49.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.6 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join tennis, football, table tennis, athletics, skiing, trampoline, and dance clubs, and visit Villa Park via the Aston Villa Foundation trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,193 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,239. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to maintain progress from their starting points? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Overview
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School continues to be a good school, characterised by an inclusive ethos and "unapologetically high ambitions for every pupil." The inspection found that pupils enjoy learning in a "calm and purposeful learning environment" where respectful relationships are commonplace. Leaders and staff maintain high expectations, ensuring that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, overcome barriers to achieve positive outcomes.
Strengths
- The school’s Catholic ethos and values are utilised "highly effectively" to support pupils’ personal development and prepare them for life in modern Britain.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and implement a rigorous curriculum effectively, using assessment to identify and support pupils who fall behind.
- Provision for reading is a distinct strength, with targeted support ensuring the "vast majority of pupils enjoy reading" at an age-appropriate level.
- Interventions for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "swift and effective," helping them to succeed.
- Staff report that leaders are "mindful of their workload and well-being," contributing to a positive working culture.
Areas to improve
- The school should refine its curriculum structure and tracking of wider curriculum uptake, as early option choices mean "the school’s very high ambitions are not always realised" for a few pupils.
- Leaders must ensure that the small number of pupils who struggle to meet high behaviour expectations are "effectively supported" to do so, reducing repeated suspensions and missed learning time.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.2 |
| 2024/25 | 49.9 |
| 2025/26 | 50.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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