St Thomas More High School

About St Thomas More High School

St Thomas More High School is a Roman Catholic boys’ secondary in Southend-on-Sea, one of 13 state secondaries in the local authority. It holds a Good Ofsted rating, while five schools in the LA are rated Outstanding. The nearest Outstanding school is Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, just 0.3 km away, and the local top-performing peers include Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Westcliff High School for Girls, and Southend High School for Boys. St Thomas More sits in a competitive landscape, but its Good rating and strong local reputation make it a solid choice for Catholic families seeking a single-sex environment. The school has 1,206 pupils and is led by headteacher G Ackred. It serves boys from age 11 to 18, with a sixth form attached. The school’s religious character is central to its identity, and the on-site chapel reflects that commitment.

Academically, St Thomas More has not published its most recent Progress 8 score in this data, but the local authority average Progress 8 is 0.12, which is above the national average of zero. The school’s Good Ofsted rating suggests it provides a consistently effective education. Ofsted’s judgement covers all key areas including leadership, teaching, and outcomes for pupils. Without specific exam results or a Progress 8 figure for the school itself, it is difficult to compare directly with the top-performing peers, which are all grammar or selective schools. However, St Thomas More is a non-selective Catholic school, so its intake is different from those grammars. Families should look at the school’s own published results for the most recent year to gauge performance. The school does offer a range of academic facilities including science labs and a library, supporting a broad curriculum.

For practical context, St Thomas More has strong facilities including a theatre, music rooms, playing fields, astro turf, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and a dining hall. Sports on offer include tennis, dance, swimming, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, rowing, and cricket. Clubs include Model UN, Eco Club, Art Club, Film Club, and Orchestra. These suggest a well-resourced environment for both academic and extracurricular development. The school is oversubscribed in many year groups, typical for a popular Catholic school in the area. It will particularly suit Catholic families who want a boys-only setting with a clear faith ethos, and who value a wide range of sports and creative activities. The school’s location in Southend-on-Sea means it draws from across the town and surrounding areas, with good transport links. Parents should check the school’s admissions policy for its religious criteria and catchment area.

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