St Thomas More Catholic School and Sixth Form College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The majority of students make good progress in both their academic and personal development. The school has a track record of high pass rates in examinations and of students making good progress. Teaching and learning are good in all areas of the school and some teaching is outstanding.

Teachers are enthusiastic and display excellent subject knowledge, and students are interested and learn well as a result. Teachers have high expectations of students and develop excellent working relationships in the classroom. The sixth form is good.

In its second year of operation teaching and learning are good and improving, and it offers a w...ide choice of subjects to its students who are making good progress. The students enjoy being at school and behave very well. They are safe and know how to stay safe.

Incidents of bullying of any kind are very rare. Students respect one another and celebrate each others' successes. They respond well to the very strong atmosphere of respect and compassion.

The new headteacher is supported by a strong team of leaders who work well together. Subject and year team leadership is also strong and, as a whole, the leaders have demonstrated the ability to improve teaching. Governors are totally committed to the success of the school and offer high levels of support to leaders, staff and students.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : In some lessons, teachers do not give students work that is at exactly the right level for them, so progress slows. Some leaders and managers are not yet consistently effective in the way they review and improve teaching.

Information about this school

The number of students on roll has been stable for a number of years but has now increased as a result of the recruitment of students to the new sixth form.

The school is now average in size for a secondary school. The proportion of students supported through school action is below average, as are the proportions supported through school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs. The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium is below average.

The school accesses additional vocational education for some of its Year 10 and 11 students through North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. The current headteacher, having previously been a deputy headteacher at the school, took up post one week before the beginning of the inspection.