The Thomas Adams School, Shrewsbury

From the headteacher's welcome: "Thomas Adams is a thriving co-educational school with a rich heritage and a forward-thinking approach. A welcoming community where ambition, respect, and opportunity go hand in hand. We offer day, flexi, and boarding places for students aged 11-18. At Thomas Adams School, we believe in the transformative power of education that extends far beyond the classroom."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, basketball, badminton and swimming.

In 2026, pupils at The Thomas Adams School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 41.7 in Shropshire and 47 across England.

38% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 35% in Shropshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 43.4.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.5: pupils made well below 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 32, against 45.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and French.

For September 2026 entry, 237 families put The Thomas Adams School as their first choice and 463 named it as one of their preferences, for 207 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 34 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The Thomas Adams School is one of 14 schools run by The 3-18 Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 212 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 17% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 105 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 40% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 32% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

16.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 143 pupils (11.8%) received SEN support and 30 (2.5%) 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 railway station is Wem Rail Station, about 840 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bailey Close Jct (opposite), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 47 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Shropshire (10), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Thomas Adams School issued 452 suspensions, 37.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.