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Reviewed

Thomas Telford School

State school · Telford, TF3 4NW
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 1,633 pupils
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The school has had a superb reputation in the Midlands and beyond for many years. While the exam focus is not for all families, many find the purposeful pressure just what is needed to get the strong results. The reputation means the school continues to attract good teachers who find it a strong launching pad for their careers. Families and pupils know they are very fortunate to have a place here and this, in its turn, minimises any conflict between staff, pupils and families. Commendable partnership with and outreach to the business community and, increasingly, to its successful alumni, and the school is constantly on the alert for any opportunities that will give pupils an advantage in the future.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,633 ·
Sixth form numbers
600 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
Telford and Wrekin Council

Headteacher

Headmaster

Ian Rawlings

Since 2024, Ian Rawlings, previously head of sixth form.

Entrance

An NFER non-verbal reasoning assessment divides applicants into nine ability bands. The school asks for year 5 reports and attendance records, and gives priority within the bands to those who score well for attainment and effort in technology,

Open days
March for successful applicants

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

OtherUnkn 48 %
Where the number of students is less than 10 or the school a student attended before or after this school is not known.
Redhill Primary Academy 9 %
St George's Church of England Primary School 5 %
St Peter's Bratton Church of England Academy 3 %
Codsall Middle School 3 %
Muxton Primary School 3 %
Newdale Primary School & Nursery 3 %
Priorslee Academy 3 %
Lightmoor Village Primary School 3 %
Ladygrove Primary School 3 %
Lawley Primary School 3 %
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School 2 %
Old Park Primary School 2 %
Wrockwardine Wood Church of England Junior School 2 %
Perton Middle School 2 %
Apley Wood Primary Academy 2 %
Randlay Primary School 2 %
St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School 2 %
Data highlight

Exit

Around a quarter leaves after GCSEs. Of those who stay on, around three-quarters go on to higher education, with two to Oxbridge and eight medics in 2021. Sometimes a few to US unviersities. A lot of pupils pick vocational rather than purely academic

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
75%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

In 2024, 72 per cent 9-5 grades at GCSE, including maths and English; 22 per cent A*-B at A level (including vocational).

GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
71.6%
LA avg.
38.8%
Eng. avg.
45.9%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

A level - Average points score (2024)

School
38.00
LA avg.
35.55
Eng. avg.
34.45
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

GCSE results are consistently well above the national average. The school offers 25 A levels (sixth form is selective by GCSE results) as well as BTecs in business, performing arts triple and sport single, double and triple. Maths is consistently

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • GCSE
  • VRQ
0:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Setting starts in core subjects early and those with special educational learning needs have learning plans and specialist support. Nurturing groups offer bespoke programmes to motivate SEN pupils and equip them with social as well as learning

0.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
4.7 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Formal academic lessons now finish at 3.15pm with the final session of the day voluntary and co-curricular. Staff report that most children stay at least one day a week for this. During this time, some academic support is on offer - subject specific

Sport

Sport is very strong throughout the school with many regional and national success stories. More than 200 students (including more than 100 girl and boy footballers) play at levels ranging from district to national in sports including hockey, golf,

Ethos & heritage

The school continues to be supported by the Mercers’ Company and it has significant partnership arrangements with a number of businesses and industries. There is very much a Midlands business feel about the buildings - lots of glass, professional and

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Tutor groups are vertical and younger students speak positively of the advice offered by older ones, both on quite formal matters such as applying for university and less formally, such as discussing the latest fitness regime for footballers. The aim

Pupils & parents

The pupils are very smart. Business wear is the order of the day for sixth form and staff. Most of the girls wear trousers - the regulatory knee length skirts not being popular. Pupils are slightly reserved in the company of visitors but willing to

1,633
Number of pupils

The last word

The school has had a superb reputation in the Midlands and beyond for many years. While the exam focus is not for all families, many find the purposeful pressure just what is needed to get the strong results. The reputation means the school continues

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding
Early years provision Outstanding

What the school says

Parents visit school as part of the admissions procedure.

Contact the school

Address

Old Park
Telford
Shropshire
TF3 4NW
Get directions

Telephone: 01952 200000

Email: info@ttsonline.net

Website: http://www.ttsonline.net

Local authority: Telford and Wrekin Council

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School data & information Thomas Telford School Old Park, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4NW
1,633 Pupil numbers
600 Sixth form numbers
14.9 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
5 % Pupils whose first language is not English
0:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Thomas Telford School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
71.6%
LA avg.
38.8%
Eng. avg.
45.9%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
58.00
LA avg.
43.30
Eng. avg.
45.90

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.43 Score Above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 54 6
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 27 7
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 53 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 7
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 197 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 100 6
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 95 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 138 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 196 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 196 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 6
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 7
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 8
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 82 7
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 8
Art & Design GCSE (9-1) Full Course 48 7

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
23.5%
LA avg.
26%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
38.00
LA avg.
35.55
Eng. avg.
34.45

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 8 C
Religious Studies GCE A level 6 A
Psychology GCE A level 45 A
Physics GCE A level 25 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 21 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 6 A*
Mathematics GCE A level 45 A
History GCE A level 55 A
Government and Politics GCE A level 33 B
Geography GCE A level 41 B
French GCE A level 10 B
English Literature GCE A level 36 B
English Language GCE A level 20 B
Economics GCE A level 36 B
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 20 B
Chemistry GCE A level 39 B
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 27 A
Biology GCE A level 55 B
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 18 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Thomas Telford School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Thomas Telford School operates a whole school approach to special educational provision. This means that all staff are responsible for meeting special educational needs and have a responsibility for all students. Our objectives are to provide a curriculum which enables all students to realise their full learning potential. We target resources specifically for exceptionally able students and those with learning and physical difficulties and provide a whole school approach to Learning Support so that meeting special educational needs is an integral part of curriculum planning, delivery and assessment. We identify individual needs and provide appropriate support and utilise Information Technology fully so that students can take more control over their learning.

The extra help and learning support that is provided may take a variety of forms. For example, a specially designed learning programme; assistance from an extra teacher, technician, parent or helper in the classroom; being taught individually or in small groups; using technological equipment, eg electronic spelling aids, radio microphones and software for specific skill training as well as full wheelchair access.

Avoidance of labelling and non-segregation is fundamental to good practice. Each student is offered their curriculum entitlement, including the National Curriculum, within the context of the teaching area alongside their peers and subject teachers. Each student is given the opportunity to develop from their own starting point and progress at an appropriately challenging pace. Additionally, specialist teaching and resources are provided for students who require Learning Support.

The School employs a full time Registered General Nurse.

0.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
4.7 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding
Early years provision Outstanding
Our data explained
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