Dear Parents

 

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make.  We hope that this prospectus will give you some insight into the way we work and what we offer.  We also hope it reveals something of the spirit on which we base our school.

 

As a Catholic school, we have a deep understanding of the meaning of community.  Our mission statement "Christ is at the centre of our school community where we live, love and learn together" is at the heart of all that we do.  We welcome students and staff who are not Catholics to our school but we expect everyone, without exception, to support our mission statement.

 

We recognise that we have an obligation to challenge students to strive for the highest standards, both in their learning and in their lives.  From the very beginning to the very end of their school careers they are constantly reminded of two goals - try your best and be the best person that you can be.  We know that in order to fulfil their potential at school, students must feel happy and secure - with friends whose company they enjoy and teachers whom they trust and respect.  School is a place for work, but also a place to be enjoyed - somewhere to learn and somewhere to grow.

 

In September 2011 the school was inspected by OFSTED and judged to be Outstanding.  Naturally, we were delighted to receive official recognition and to have it repeated by the Diocese a few weeks later.  However, we are far from complacent and we are absolutely determined to continue to do even better in the future.  OFSTED said we are, "a school that is innovative for the benefit of its students, is totally committed and is always seeking to improve."  Our daily aim is to live by our mission statement and if we do so we know that we will be an outstanding school every single day.  It is a wonderful aspiration and is driven by our life as a Catholic school which is at the heart of everything we do.

 

We have always been renowned for our pastoral care but in 2010 we made the decision to move to a house system which has taken us to another level.  OFSTED said, "the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students is outstanding and is at the very heart of the school's purpose."  Each student is placed in one of eight houses (siblings in the same house) and from the moment they join us the youngest children are cared for each day not only by their tutor but by older students as well including sixth formers.  Whilst St Thomas Aquinas is a big school the house system ensures it creates a warm and secure family atmosphere for everyone.

 

For many years we have been recognised for our outstanding provision for the weakest and most vulnerable in our community.  We were one of the first secondary schools in Birmingham to be awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark which was renewed in 2008.  We were also very pleased to be the first secondary school in the City to be recognised for our work with Gifted and Talented students when we were awarded the prestigious NACE Challenge Award renewed in 2011.  We are absolutely passionate that all students should achieve their full potential whatever their abilities and talents.

 

At St Thomas Aquinas, we want for your children exactly what you want as parents - the best and nothing but the best.  We know that we will achieve that only with your active support and involvement. That is why we place a huge emphasis on the importance of working closely with our parents and why we spend a great deal of time developing that vital partnership.  We know that we have a good school now, but we intend, with your help, to make it an even better school in the future.  We hope you will join us on our exciting journey.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Jim Foley