St Thomas Becket Catholic School
83%
Capacity
900
Pupils
4.3x
Demand
About St Thomas Becket Catholic School
St Thomas Becket Catholic School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the West Northamptonshire community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 900 pupils on roll and is well-filled (83% of 1,087 places).
Ofsted has rated St Thomas Becket Catholic School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Paul McCahill, it falls under West Northamptonshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.38 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 56.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 673rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 5th out of 22 in West Northamptonshire.
St Thomas Becket Catholic School is a popular choice with families — it received 743 applications for 174 places, making it 4.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 220 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Thomas Becket Catholic School include Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Theatre, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Cross Country, Athletics, Badminton and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Eco Club, Drama, Choir and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 18.5%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in West Northamptonshire, St Thomas Becket Catholic School is one of the options available in the East Midlands region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Becket Way, Northampton, West Northamptonshire, NN3 6HT |
| Headteacher | Paul McCahill |
| Local Authority | West Northamptonshire |
| Number of Pupils | 900 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.5% |
| School Capacity | 900 / 1,087 (83% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 13 Nov 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.38)
673rd of 3,141
Nationally
44th of 273
In East Midlands
5th of 22
In West Northamptonshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
41.6
'22/23
36.2
'23/24
34.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed174
743
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
220 families put this school as their 1st choice (30% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Thomas Becket Catholic School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Becket Way, Northampton
West Northamptonshire, NN3 6HT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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