St Thomas More Catholic School
145%
Capacity
929
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About St Thomas More Catholic School
St Thomas More Catholic School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Bedford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 929 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (145% of 640 places).
Ofsted has rated St Thomas More Catholic School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Martin Bonner, it falls under Bedford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.26 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.9. Additionally, ranked 932nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 5th out of 14 in Bedford.
St Thomas More Catholic School is a popular choice with families — it received 304 applications for 128 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 170 were first-preference applications.
St Thomas More Catholic School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.9/5 from 2 parents), and parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 86% recommending the school (64 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Thomas More Catholic School include Swimming Pool, Library, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Science Labs, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Gymnasium, Tennis Courts, Theatre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Netball, Cross Country, Hockey and 2 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Young Enterprise, Newspaper, Model UN and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.2%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bedford, St Thomas More Catholic School is one of the options available in the East of England 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 | Tyne Crescent, Bedford, Bedford, MK41 7UL |
| Headteacher | Martin Bonner |
| Local Authority | Bedford |
| Number of Pupils | 929 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.2% |
| School Capacity | 929 / 640 (145% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Nov 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 2 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.26)
932nd of 3,141
Nationally
100th of 350
In East of England
5th of 14
In Bedford
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.
Ofsted Parent View
64 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed128
304
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
170 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Thomas More 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
Tyne Crescent, Bedford
Bedford, MK41 7UL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
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