SchoolScoresSt Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST RALPH SHERWIN CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Church View, Ilkeston, DE7 4LF
0115 932 0550 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 May 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 15 February 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
33 pupils in this year group.
70% — 11 points above the Derbyshire average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 70% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 82% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 85% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 85% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Derbyshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 30 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 59 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 16th highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.3% | 30.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.2% | 16.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 6th highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 42% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.9% | 5.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Lower than 79% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Lower than 88% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Lower than 38% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.9 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Lower than 42% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 95% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 26.0 | 20.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 3rd highest of 20 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 80% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.7 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 16 state primary schools in Ilkeston. Higher than 42% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.5% | 11.5%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Field House Infant School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Kensington Junior Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hallam Fields Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chaucer Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- Ladywood Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chaucer Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Larklands Infant School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024
- Dallimore Primary and Nursery School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Charlotte Nursery and Infant School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Granby Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 May 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 15 February 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 70% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 8 points above the England average of 62%.
Is St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 30 families put St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 30 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 30 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 146145.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.