Thomas More Catholic School, Purley

In its own words: "Thomas More Catholic School is a school where young people can develop and grow in their faith journey, by following the school's mission statement. Our Catholic faith is fundamental to our work. We live out our values in every aspect, as we look to learn from the example of Jesus in the way we act and value others."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I believe that a caring environment rooted in gospel values, is fundamental to enabling every single child to realize their full potential, but more importantly that every pupil can be the very best version of themselves. Our Motto, is Care, Learn, Achieve and it is at the heart of everything that we do."

In 2026, pupils at Thomas More Catholic School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.4 in Croydon and 47 across England.

43% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Croydon and 47% in England.

That is up from 42.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.13: pupils made 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 42.4, against 48.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 5.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Religious Studies and History.

For September 2026 entry, 60 families put Thomas More Catholic School as their first choice and 346 named it as one of their preferences, for 129 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Thomas More Catholic School are The John Fisher School (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.8); Harris Academy Purley (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.2); Wilson's School (1.1 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 86.8); and Wallington High School for Girls (1.3 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 80.3).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Thomas More Catholic School.

18 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Thomas More Catholic School (as of September 2025): 67% would recommend the school, 78% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that pupils behave well (89%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

Of the 114 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 50% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 23 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 61% went on to university or other higher education and 4% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

42.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 33.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (36%), Asian (17%) and Mixed (14%).

In 2026, 73 pupils (12.2%) received SEN support and 14 (2.3%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Purley Station, about 810 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Gilliam Grove, 360 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 251 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488).

In 2024/25, Thomas More Catholic School issued 127 suspensions, 20.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Thomas More Catholic School are Margaret Roper Catholic Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Christ Church CofE Primary School (Purley) (0.4 miles), Wallington Primary Academy (0.7 miles) and Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.