St Thomas More High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The energy and drive of the headteacher and senior leaders have ensured that an ethos of high aspiration and strong pastoral care is communicated well across the academy community. The academy has its core values firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic faith.

The values of respect and tolerance are reflected in the positive relationships between staff and pupils, and the good behaviour of pupils around the academy. The academy curriculum has been carefully crafted to be broad and well balanced to meet the needs of all students. Students' spiritual, social, moral, and cultural development is promoted well and students are prepared well for the future....

Attainment has consistently remained at or above national levels at GCSE for the past few years. The progress of students is particularly strong in mathematics and science and is rapidly improving in English. The quality of teaching is good across the academy.

This is monitored effectively by senior leaders and governors. Governors bring a range of relevant experience and expertise to their role. They are rigorous in holding senior leaders to account.

The academy's procedures for keeping students safe are outstanding. The academy has worked hard to increase attendance rates and reduce exclusions. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The high quality of marking seen in many subjects is not consistent across the academy.

The current academy development plan does not focus the academy's leaders enough on raising achievement. The sixth form requires improvement. Given their starting points, some students have not made sufficient progress.

The behaviour of students in the sixth form requires improvement because they do not always show the positive attitudes to learning which will enable them to make the best use of their study time.

Information about this school

St Thomas More High School is larger than the average-sized secondary academy. It is an academy trust in the Diocese of Brentwood.

The academy is a single-sex boys' school for Year 7 to Year 11. It has a mixed sixth form which makes up a quarter of the students. Most students are from a White British background.

The proportion of students from different ethnic backgrounds is slightly above average. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium grant (this is money the academy receives to support disadvantaged students such as those entitled to receive free school meals or in the care of the local authority) is one in six which is below average. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs is one in eight which is below average.

The academy meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. A very small number of students follow an alternative curriculum; to name the provision might identify the students. The academy is part of a sixth form consortium and a small minority of students attend lessons at different local schools.