Classpot

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College

Trafford, WA15 8HTSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Mar 2025
Progress 8
+0.23
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
211 1st-choice / 290 places
Ranking
#1,017
of 3,141 nationally

About Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College sits in a competitive local authority where the average Progress 8 score for secondary schools is 0.36, but this school’s own score of 0.23 places it below that benchmark. That said, a score above zero still means pupils here make more academic progress than the national average, and the school’s Progress 8 banding is officially rated as ‘Above average’. In Trafford, which has 20 state secondaries including four rated Outstanding, Holford ranks 11th — squarely in the middle of the pack. Where it really stands out is in its recent Ofsted turnaround. In its previous inspection in 2022, the school was rated Requires Improvement across the board, including for quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. But in its most recent graded inspection in March 2025, every category jumped to Good, including sixth-form provision. That’s a significant shift in under three years, and suggests the leadership of headteacher Clare Hogg has driven real change.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterRoman Catholic
AddressUrban Road, Altrincham, Trafford, WA15 8HT
HeadteacherClare Hogg
Local AuthorityTrafford
Number of Pupils1,614
Free School Meals (FSM)13.3%
School Capacity1,614 / 1,700 (95% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 322 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

18 Mar 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 30 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
LibrarySwimming PoolSports HallMusic RoomsICT SuiteTheatrePlaying FieldsScience LabsGymnasiumTennis CourtsChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

FootballRoundersHockeyCross CountryDanceBadmintonNetballRowingRugbyCricket

Clubs & Activities

OrchestraFilm ClubChoirGardeningNewspaperArt ClubDramaYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.