UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 139517

St Thomas More Catholic School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK41 7UL

Ages 11–18 · 893 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

44.6

Overall absence

8.4%

Admissions demand

0.73 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-10-04

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.31
−20+2
Attainment 844.6
English & maths grade 5+45%
English & maths grade 4+67%
EBacc entry15%

EBacc APS: 3.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence8.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)26.4%
Unauthorised3.2%
Authorised absence
5.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.2%
Enrolments in measure
779

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.73 · Often has places

1st preferences

99

Places offered

142

1st-preference offers

99

Total preferences (any rank)
191
Preferred offers (top 3)
135
Applications from outside LA
4
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill86%

893 pupils · 1,040 places

Pupils on roll
893
Boys / girls
445 / 448
School capacity
1,040
Capacity fill
893 / 1,040 (86%)
Free school meals
22.2%
FSM pupils
160
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Northampton
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: OUR LADY IMMACULATE CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST LTD
Academy trust
OUR LADY IMMACULATE CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST LTD
Sponsor
Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Academies Trust (OLICAT)
Headteacher
Mr Martin Bonner

Location

Address
Tyne Crescent
Postcode
MK41 7UL
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
North Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bedford, Bedford, 893 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 22.2%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Northampton.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Secondary schools in Bedford
14
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK41
19
Secondary in MK41
4
Open schools in Bedford LA
86
Secondary in Bedford LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BedfordNear MK41

  • Castle Newnham School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9DT · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM23.7%

    1.2 miles away

  • Mark Rutherford School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 8PX · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.4
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence9.1%

    1.2 miles away

  • Goldington Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9BX · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att854.1
    • P80.8
    • EM5+64%
    • Absence6.4%

    1.5 miles away

  • Bedford Free School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9AD · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att852.7
    • P81.1
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence6.5%

    2.0 miles away

  • Lincroft Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK43 7RE · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.4
    • P80.4
    • EM5+59%
    • Absence8.0%

    2.5 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Martin Bonner
Telephone
01234400222
Website
http://www.st-thomasmore.org.uk/

Official links