The St Thomas the Apostle College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

The St Thomas the Apostle College has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.

What is it like to attend this school?

The St Thomas the Apostle College is an inspiring, exciting, and highly successful school.

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, want to come to school and thoroughly enjoy everything that is on offer. Their high levels of attendance and positive attitudes to learning are exemplary. Pupils know they are safe, and they deeply trust the school staff to deal with any concerns.

The school's focus is on expectation, rather than aspiration. Staff expect all pupils and students to achieve highly and to be the best v...ersion of themselves. These expectations are realised in the school's outcomes and what students do next.

Many enter employment, education, or training. The school's outcomes are among the best for all schools in the country. The school's motto is 'excellence with care.'

Pupils testify to how this works in practice. One said, echoing the views of others, 'The school is very supportive about behaviour. If you are slacking, they will not give up on you, because they always go above and beyond.'



Pupils and students behave with courtesy and consideration. Girls who joined the school in the sixth form report that the boys are respectful and welcoming. In lessons, pupils are diligent, focused, and eager to learn.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school's curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, preparing pupils well for life and the next stages of learning. Outcomes and progress for all pupils, including those who may be disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are exceptional. Vulnerable pupils spoke effusively about how they are encouraged and supported.

In all subjects, the content and order of pupils' learning has been carefully designed so they can build on what they already know. Teachers help them learn and remember more. Skilful prompting helps pupils explore and debate topics deeply.

Teachers' subject knowledge is strong. They teach in a routinised, structured way that helps develop long-term memory. Teachers skilfully and rigorously check pupils' knowledge and understanding.

They identify and address any gaps pupils have. In all subjects, pupils act on teachers' advice to correct mistakes, redraft, and expand answers. This ensures their work is of consistently high quality.

The school has invested hugely in creative subjects such as drama, art, technology, and music. Pupils are especially proud of their work in these areas and keen to show off their creative compositions and imaginative designs.

The school is highly effective in developing literacy and oracy and promoting reading.

Pupils who struggle to read are well supported through bespoke teaching. The school specifically supports pupils with developing their handwriting too.

Pupils embrace the school's high expectations of their behaviour.

They call this '100% STAC', and they can explain what it means and why it works. Behaviour throughout the school is excellent. Pupils say bullying does not happen, but they would know what to do if it did.

Year 7 pupils report that sixth-form mentors have helped them organise their work and behave better. The school's work with the community and families, particularly to promote attendance, is a model for others.

Pupils and students are well prepared for future success in education, employment, or training.

Nearly all pupils go on to further and higher education. They value the wide-ranging careers education and opportunities to experience the world of work. They also learn to be responsible citizens and kind people.

Pupils are sensitively prepared for the wider world. They listen to others and express their views in a well-managed environment. This builds their confidence and self-esteem.

Pupils learn to represent others through the school council and have opportunities to develop as leaders. Students report that they really have a voice in this school.

Pupils value the plethora of opportunities to pursue their own interests and talents and to gain cultural insights.

They participate in an array of clubs ranging from music to Manga and various sporting activities. Last year, over a thousand pupils went on school journeys, including to various European countries and cultural events in London.

Leadership and management are exceptional.

Leaders promote relevant, impactful professional development for all staff. They deeply engage with the whole school community and the wider local area. They listen to staff and take into account the pressures on them.

Staff are proud and enjoy working at the school. Early career teachers are happy here and feel well supported.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted's website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade.

This school was, before September 2024, judged outstanding for its overall effectiveness.

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school's work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour, or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged St Thomas the Apostle College to be outstanding for overall effectiveness in November 2018.