SchoolScoresSt Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST RALPH SHERWIN CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Palace Fields, Buxton, SK17 6AF
0129823167 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 3 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
113 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Derbyshire comparisons use the 26 of its 45 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 19 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 13th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 45% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 43 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 86% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 96 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 51% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 65% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 35 parents of children with SEND Joint 4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 64% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 60% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 11th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Derbyshire figures pool parents at the Derbyshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
89 pupils in this year group.
47% — 4 points above the Derbyshire average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 49.5 | 45 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
84 pupils in this year group.
98% — 7 points above the Derbyshire average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 32% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 52% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 98% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 87 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 86 |
| Of those, offered a place | 86 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 176 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 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 26th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.8% | 30.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.9% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 3.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 21st lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 50% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 25th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2% | 21.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8 | 24.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 97% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.9 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 80% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.9% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Buxton Community School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2020 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 3 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy?
81% of the 113 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 86 families put St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 87 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 86 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 146128.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.