St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Wychall Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 8APOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is a secondary school in Birmingham for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 501 schools in Birmingham. It ranks 23rd of 87 secondary schools in Birmingham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2018.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 November 2018, report published 2 December 2018
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 1 May 2024
The school's motto 'committed learners, exceptional people' permeates everything that happens here. This inclusive school has unapologetically high ambitions for every pupil, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). All adults want pupils to be the best they can be. Pupils overcome many barriers to success which is reflected in the positive outcomes they achieve. Pupils enjoy learning and attending school. They are welcoming, friendly and polite. Respectful relationships between staff and pupils are commonplace. Behaviour is generally strong. The school is a calm and purposeful learning environment. Staff deal with issues quickly and effectively. The school utilises its Catholic ethos and values highly effectively to support pupils' personal development. Pupils benefit from a carefully constructed curriculum that develops their personalities and furthers their interests. For example, the Aquinas Experience ensures that pupils have opportunities to go on trips, residentials and visits. The school's extra-curricular offer includes a plethora of sporting and creative clubs. There is a choir and numerous productions for all pupils throughout the year. Pupils receive effective advice about possible career paths and next steps in education. The wider curriculum effectively promotes equality of opportunity and diversity. As a result, pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.
What the school should improve
- Currently, pupils make their option choices at the end of Year 8. This means that for a few pupils, the school's very high ambitions are not always realised. The school should consider how best to refine the structure of their curriculum and their tracking of pupils' take up of the wider curriculum offer in order to ensure that the curriculum fully meets the school's ambitious vision for all its pupils.
- There are a small number of pupils who find it challenging to meet leaders' high behaviour expectations. Some of these pupils are then repeatedly suspended from school and miss valuable learning time. The school should ensure that pupils who find it difficult to meet the school's high behaviour expectations are effectively supported to do so.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
190 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
54 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,193 pupils on roll, with places for 1,239
Schools near St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 47.6 |
| Kings Norton Girls' School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 56.6 |
| Bournville School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 36.5 |
| Ark Kings Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 36.5 |
| King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.0 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY COMPANY
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Principal Chris Martin
- Phone
- 01214644643
- Address
- Wychall Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 8AP
- Local authority
- Birmingham
- URN
- 141835
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.