St Thomas More Catholic High School, North Shields

In its own words: "St Thomas More Catholic High School is a Catholic School and as such we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our work, worship and relationships."

From the headteacher's welcome: "St Thomas More is a wonderful school, first and foremost because of our fantastic students. It is our privilege to nurture our students throughout their time with us, ensuring that all students are fully supported in reaching their full potential and developing their own unique God-given gifts and talents."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include STEM and debating.

In 2026, pupils at St Thomas More Catholic High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.2 in North Tyneside and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in North Tyneside and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 49.6.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.21: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.9, against 52.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 253 families put St Thomas More Catholic High School as their first choice and 429 named it as one of their preferences, for 266 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 16 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to St Thomas More Catholic High School are Norham High School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.3); John Spence Community High School (1 mile, Attainment 8 43); Monkseaton High School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 44.1); and Churchill Academy (1.5 miles).

St Thomas More Catholic High School's 2026 results were higher than all 3 of them.

St Thomas More Catholic High School is one of 39 schools run by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.6 in 2024/25.

Of the 259 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 31% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 146 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 69% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 15% into work. 24% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

9.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Asian (7%).

In 2026, 202 pupils (12.2%) received SEN support and 46 (2.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Meadow Well (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Billy Mill Lane-School (nw-bound), 50 metres away.

In 2024/25, St Thomas More Catholic High School issued 171 suspensions, 10.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 6 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to St Thomas More Catholic High School are Whitehouse Primary School (0.4 miles), New York Primary School (0.4 miles), Collingwood Primary School (0.7 miles) and Preston Grange Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.