St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall
Darlaston Lane, Willenhall, WV14 7BLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall is a secondary school in Willenhall for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 133 schools in Walsall. It ranks 1st of 3 secondary schools in Willenhall. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 11 October 2022, report published 24 November 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 11 October 2022
Pupils know when they walk into school that they are part of a warm, welcoming community. There is a clear celebration of Catholic values in displays around the building, but staff ensure the school is inclusive for all pupils. The headteacher sets the tone for the caring ethos. She knows the names of all pupils and has a greeting for everyone as she passes them in corridors. Pupils are happy, enjoy going to school and feel safe. The behaviour in lessons is good. Pupils understand the expectations placed upon them. They are respectful towards staff and each other. However, some pupils do not attend school regularly enough and too many pupils are late for school at the start of the day. Bullying is rare. Pupils have confidence that staff will deal with any concerns raised. Leaders and staff are ambitious for their pupils and are implementing strategies to help pupils to know and remember more. This means that pupils usually make good progress with their learning, although this is not consistent across all classes. Pupils get involved with a wide variety of clubs and trips. Sixth-form students participate fully in the life of the school, and they help to run a number of clubs for younger pupils.
What the school should improve
- Leaders do not systemically monitor the impact of some of their actions and interventions, for example the actions taken to develop reading or improve attendance. As a result, leaders do not put in place the timely adaptations that would ensure the work has a positive impact on pupils. Leaders need to review their strategic approach to monitoring and review.
- Pupils do not attend school regularly enough and too many pupils are late to school in the morning. Leaders know that if pupils do not regularly attend, they will not make the progress that is expected of them. Leaders need to continue to develop strategies to improve attendance and punctuality and embed those actions that are already having an impact.
- Some teaching does not consistently address gaps in knowledge or help pupils to remember what they have learned. This means that pupils are not always learning as well as they could. Senior leaders should sustain their work in helping teachers to embed the school's new approach to teaching and learning.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
237 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
93 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,464 pupils on roll, with places for 1,500
Schools near St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Academy Darlaston | 0.4 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 41.2 |
| WV2 Education | 0.7 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Moseley Park | 0.8 miles | Report card: Strong standard | Attainment 8: 44.8 |
| Ormiston SWB Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 42.0 |
| Gospel Oak School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 32.8 |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Siobhan Bowen
- Phone
- 01902368798
- Address
- Darlaston Lane, Willenhall, WV14 7BL
- Local authority
- Walsall
- URN
- 104259
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.