Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Places Available emoji_events #2 in Southwark public Top 4% UK

The St Thomas the Apostle College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Eamon Connolly

location_onLondon, SE15 2EB

language Visit Website phone 2076390106

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,083

trending_up

Attainment 8

61.7

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GCSE Rank

#2 in Southwark

#214 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The St Thomas the Apostle College is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in London, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

The St Thomas the Apostle College is a voluntary aided school in London, Southwark, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,111 pupils on roll, of whom 47% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 61.7, placing the school #2 in Southwark and #214 of 3,216 nationally. 72.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 46.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 73.4% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 42.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.08 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

61.7

Grade 5+ E&M

72.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)46.6%

Entering EBacc69.60%

EBacc APS5.69

2024

Progress 8 Score

1.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

60.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65.80%

EBacc APS5.63

2023

Progress 8 Score

1.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

63.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS5.87

2022

Progress 8 Score

1.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

60.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS5.67

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc77%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS4.79

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.9

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc73%

EBacc APS5

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)99%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.08

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B+

Students

131

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*14.0%

Achieving A*–A42.7%

Achieving A*–B73.4%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.7%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.21

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B+

Students

141

Retention rate96.50%

2023

Avg Grade

B+

Students

121

Retention rate99.20%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

118

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 November 2024

Inspection Report

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05 November 2020

Inspection Report

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20 November 2018

Inspection Report

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27 November 2014

Inspection Report

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22 May 2013

Inspection Report

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04 July 2011

Inspection Report

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10 March 2010

Inspection Report

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03 March 2009

Inspection Report

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20 June 2007

Inspection Report

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19 January 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2018-11-20

S8 No Formal Designation Visit Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2014-11-27

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

7.6%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.9%(66 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,111 pupils. During this period, there were 84 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.6%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,111	84	7.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,113	58	5.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,098	78	7.1%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,101	57	5.2%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,097	52	4.7%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,082	47	4.3%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,083	28	2.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,077	30	2.8%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,068	63	5.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,069	38	3.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,073	25	2.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,038	27	2.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,034	14	1.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,030	29	2.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,000	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,000	17	1.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,007	35	3.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	938	24	2.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	935	18	1.9%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	936	12	1.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	828	36	4.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	835	17	2.0%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	836	30	3.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	769	20	2.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	747	13	1.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	730	11	1.5%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Speech, Language & Communication 56 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 43 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 42 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

98.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

6.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree80%

agree17%

disagree2%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree67%

agree25%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree38%

agree20%

disagree6%

don't know1%

not applicable34%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes23%

no77%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree52%

agree24%

disagree19%

strongly disagree5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree86%

agree12%

disagree2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree76%

agree18%

disagree4%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree78%

agree19%

disagree2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree74%

agree25%

disagree1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree82%

agree14%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree67%

agree27%

disagree4%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes99%

no1%

Top Secondary Schools in Southwark

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

The Charter School North Dulwich

Outstanding

location_on London, SE24 9JH

emoji_events #1 in LA

Kingsdale Foundation School

Outstanding

location_on London, SE21 8SQ

emoji_events #3 in LA

St Michael's Catholic College

Outstanding

location_on London, SE16 4UN

emoji_events #4 in LA

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Outstanding

location_on London, SE5 0RP

emoji_events #5 in LA

The Charter School East Dulwich

Good

location_on London, SE22 8EY

emoji_events #6 in LA

Harris Academy Bermondsey

Outstanding

location_on London, SE16 3TZ

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Southwark arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Southwark

The Charter School North Dulwich

Kingsdale Foundation School

St Michael's Catholic College

Sacred Heart Catholic School

The Charter School East Dulwich

Harris Academy Bermondsey