Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #3 in Gateshead public Top 10% UK

St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon

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

personMrs Jillian Turner

corporate_fareBISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

location_onBlaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 4BQ

language Visit Website phone 1914990111

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,467

trending_up

Attainment 8

51.9

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GCSE Rank

#3 in Gateshead

#723 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon is a Academy converter secondary school in Blaydon-on-Tyne, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon is an academy converter in Blaydon-on-Tyne, Gateshead, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,400 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.9, placing the school #3 in Gateshead and #723 of 3,216 nationally. 60.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 25.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 49.1% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 26.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.19 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.1 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

51.9

Grade 5+ E&M

60.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)25.6%

Entering EBacc63.90%

EBacc APS4.73

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc72.70%

EBacc APS4.76

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS4.51

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS4.4

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS4.41

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57%

EBacc APS4.4

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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

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships3%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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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

-0.19

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*7.6%

Achieving A*–A26.5%

Achieving A*–B49.1%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate92.6%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate95.50%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate96.10%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

Retention rate96.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

01 March 2023

Inspection Report

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09 October 2013

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-03-01

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2013-10-09

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2007-02-13

None EIF

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

2.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(28 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 1,400 pupils. During this period, there were 36 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.6%, which is below 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)	1,400	36	2.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,408	50	3.6%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,435	41	2.9%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,449	29	2.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,453	61	4.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,459	51	3.5%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,467	38	2.6%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,467	38	2.6%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,474	26	1.8%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,483	18	1.2%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,495	13	0.9%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,499	9	0.6%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,495	12	0.8%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,500	27	1.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,487	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,487	11	0.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,498	16	1.1%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,504	14	0.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,508	16	1.1%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,512	16	1.1%	3.8%	3
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,490	11	0.7%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,501	8	0.5%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,516	15	1.0%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,478	13	0.9%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,484	7	0.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,493	14	0.9%	3.1%	2

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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 41 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 27 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 15 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 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.

78.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

80.0%Positive

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

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree27%

agree50%

disagree12%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree22%

agree48%

disagree20%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree29%

agree28%

disagree14%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

not applicable18%

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

yes16%

no84%

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

strongly agree32%

agree21%

disagree21%

strongly disagree21%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree43%

agree38%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree44%

disagree8%

strongly disagree5%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree30%

agree51%

disagree15%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree43%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree40%

agree50%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree32%

agree41%

disagree14%

strongly disagree7%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes78%

no22%

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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 Gateshead

Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead

Whickham School

Thorp Academy

Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy

Kingsmeadow Community School

Grace College