| Motto | Academic and Sporting Excellence |
|---|---|
| Established | 1985 |
| Type | Middle-deemed-Primary |
| Headteacher | Mr J Gadd |
| Chair of Governors | Mr L Cradduck |
| Location | Glebeside Avenue Worthing Sussex BN14 7PR England |
| Local authority | West Sussex |
| DfE URN | 125955 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Staff | 37 |
| Students | 780 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 8–12 |
| Houses | Amberley, Bramber, Hastings, Lewes |
| Colours | Blue |
| Website | Official website |
Thomas A Becket Middle School is a maintained middle school for pupils aged 8 to 12. It currently caters for around 780 pupils. It is the largest middle-deemed-primary school in the United Kingdom in terms of pupils numbers. The school is located in the Tarring area of Worthing, West Sussex
Thomas A Becket Middle School opened in 1985 following the merger of two smaller primary schools. At the same time, schools across the borough of Worthing changed to a three-tier system of education, including first, middle and High schools. The Thomas A Becket Primary School had previously opened in 1964.
The school is named for the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, linking to several local stories that the archbishop once visited the town.
The school is currently housed in the buildings of a former boys' secondary school.
It is now among the last remaining 8-12 middle schools in England, as most local authorities have abolished the 8-12 middle school (and 5-8 first school) system since the mid 1980s.
Thomas A Becket Middle School has a recommended capacity of 720 pupils. However, over-subscription in recent years has led to intakes of around 192 children each year, forming 6 classes in each year group. In previous years, the school has catered for 7 class groups in one year of entry. The school remains over-subscribed leading the local education authority to review the catchment area with effect from September 2007.