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#21 in Best Secondary Schools in Trafford
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
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Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
- Secondary
- Trafford WA15 8HT
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Ofsted report
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Based on the inspection date: 04 October 2022
Requires Improvement
| The quality of education | Requires Improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires Improvement |
| Personal development | Requires Improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires Improvement |
| Previous inspection grade | Outstanding |
| Sixth-form provision | Good |
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This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: Progress in Years 7 to 11 is uneven; sixth form students achieve well
Behaviour and Attitudes: Behavior varies; some pupils disrupt lessons and use unpleasant language
Qualifications and Training: Staff training is needed to improve curriculum delivery
Current Educational Practices: Some improvement in leadership support for teaching practices
Strengths and Challenges: Teachers value leaders’ support but inconsistent in behavior management
Opportunities for Involvement: Pupils appreciate supporting local and national charities
Communication: School intends to improve communication about pupil progress
Parent Satisfaction: Parents use Ofsted Parent View for feedback
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Staff approachable, but inconsistent in managing behavior
Actions for Quality Improvement: Early stages of improving curriculum and behavior management
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Safeguarding arrangements effective, staff vigilant
Managing Bullying and Safety: Staff handle reported bullying well; some poor behavior not reported
Extracurricular Offerings: Wide range of extracurricular activities and charity work
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Pupils enjoy extracurricular activities impacting positively
Preparation for Sixth Form: Sixth form students highly benefit from focused career guidance
Career Counselling Services: Mixed impact of career guidance in key stages 3 and 4
Managing and Supporting SEND: SEND students supported well; same curriculum as peers
Subjects Offered: Broad range of academic and vocational subjects in sixth form
Historical Ofsted reports
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About Us
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College is a Secondary, Co-Ed, Roman Catholic school located in Greater Manchester, North West.
It has 1593 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1.
At this school, 46% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
97.80% of pupils completing their main study programme.
This school rated Requires Improvement by recent Ofsted inspection.
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Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
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From the Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, our school community, and our great accomplishments make us incredibly proud.
We think that going to a great school can change a kid's life, and we think that every child who attends our school should graduate with a solid sense of personal faith, the highest academic standing possible, and mature character traits prepared for adulthood.
In addition to ensuring that our students are ready to enrol in the top institutions in the nation and pursue successful careers, we place a great premium on helping them develop the moral principles and values that will help them become decent people.
We are quite proud of the great academic performance that our sixth-form students achieve, therefore it is not surprise that the sixth-form is rated as Outstanding for the outcomes, care, and advice it provides.
One of the defining characteristics of our school is that we constantly strive to move forward, get better, and raise the bar for the education we provide to every student, even after receiving several great Ofsted ratings.
Our student development and leadership programmes push and challenge our students to be the best they can be, and the new progress metric for schools, Progress 8, positions us among the top schools in the region and the nation.
The school is incredibly well-liked by parents and consistently oversubscribed due to a high demand for spots. This is not surprising given our academic accomplishments and standards.
I hope that as you browse our website, you will get a sense of the ambitious, progressive, prosperous, and joyful family that is Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College.
Read more
We think that going to a great school can change a kid's life, and we think that every child who attends our school should graduate with a solid sense of personal faith, the highest academic standing possible, and mature character traits prepared for adulthood.
In addition to ensuring that our students are ready to enrol in the top institutions in the nation and pursue successful careers, we place a great premium on helping them develop the moral principles and values that will help them become decent people.
We are quite proud of the great academic performance that our sixth-form students achieve, therefore it is not surprise that the sixth-form is rated as Outstanding for the outcomes, care, and advice it provides.
One of the defining characteristics of our school is that we constantly strive to move forward, get better, and raise the bar for the education we provide to every student, even after receiving several great Ofsted ratings.
Our student development and leadership programmes push and challenge our students to be the best they can be, and the new progress metric for schools, Progress 8, positions us among the top schools in the region and the nation.
The school is incredibly well-liked by parents and consistently oversubscribed due to a high demand for spots. This is not surprising given our academic accomplishments and standards.
I hope that as you browse our website, you will get a sense of the ambitious, progressive, prosperous, and joyful family that is Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College.
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Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools |
| Snobe grade |
C+
|
A
|
B-
|
| Ofset report | Requires Improvement | Good | Good |
| Age range | 11-18 | 11-19 | 11-18 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 17.8 | - | 20 |
| Proficient Math | - | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 46% | 34% | 95% |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | 7.30% | - | 18.80% |
| Day Fees | - | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.20 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 46% | 51.88% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 68% | 65.63% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 15% | 39.29% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 5% | 24.75% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 9% | 31.21% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.70 | 4.33 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 92.91% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 252 | 138 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 90% | 86.87% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 36% | 29.22% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 36% | 33.04% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 18% | 14.57% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 10.22% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 2.52% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 3.43% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.02 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 51.5 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 52% | 51% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 79% | 62.64% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 20% | 38.28% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 10% | 24.28% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 15% | 28.68% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.3 | 4.19 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 93.82% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 210 | 133 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 90% | 90.36% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 35% | 30.32% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 43% | 34.59% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 12% | 14.36% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | SP | 11% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 1.5% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 1% | 1.82% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.18 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.7 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 47% 1 | 48.04% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 79% 2 | 63.17% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 33% | 34.67% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 9% 4 | 21.92% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 16% 4 | 27.63% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.95 | 3.92 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 94.23% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 178 | 119 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 88.05% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 39% | 29.55% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 38% | 33.95% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 13% | 14.18% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 10.86% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 2% | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 3.59% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.27 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 48% 2 | 49.63% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 77% 2 | 63.79% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 25% | 40.96% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 5% 7 | 26.17% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 12% 1 | 33.13% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.96 | 4.09 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 94.62% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 190 | 126 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 82.62% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 29% | 27.67% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | 51% | 35.57% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | 9% | 11.33% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 10.95% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 2.95% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 3.86% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.31 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 46% | 50.48% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 75% | 64.22% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 26% | 39.39% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 12% | 28.78% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 13% | 30.09% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 94% | 87.76% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 178 | 130 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | 92% | 41.9% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 45% | 26.05% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | 38% | 35.52% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | 9% | 9.86% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 7.43% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 7% | 4.38% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 2.29% | 2.45% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 36.02 | 35.7 | 30.01 |
| Average grade | B- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 36.46 | 35.67 | 29.57 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B- | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 7.30% | 22.73% | 13.67% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 86 | 188 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 66% | 66.58% | 58.58% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 5% | 4.33% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 13% | 16.17% | 21.16% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 9% | 8.42% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 39.16 | 38.89 | 33.41 |
| Average grade | B | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 39.19 | 38.73 | 32.47 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 8.5% | 30.39% | 17.7% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 78 | 259 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 64% | 69.08% | 60.67% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 10% | 4.83% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 9% | 12.92% | 17.73% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 12% | 8.75% | 10.69% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.52 1 | 34.15 | 29.39 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 37.67 2 | 34.3 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B- | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 9.3% | 21.76% | 13.07% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 62 | 192 | 232 |
| Students staying in education | 69% | 71.42% | 57.31% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 10% | 4.92% | 7.77% |
| Students entering employment | 10% | 14.67% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 8% | 5.92% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 34.94 4 | 33.54 | 29.03 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 39.29 6 | 34.2 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 10.7% | 20.16% | 13.37% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 0 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 8 | 6.73% | 31.5% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 7% | 4.45% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 13% | 9.82% | 15.81% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 2% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 30.79 | 31.61 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 33.7 | 34.08 | 27.73 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 4.3% | 18.58% | 12.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 0 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 7 | 27.15% | 36.26% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 5% | 6.15% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 11% | 16.62% | 20.03% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 2.46% | 4.23% |
Best Schools 2025
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 23rd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 22nd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
17 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
Local authority ratio 18 : 1