Walsall Academy

Walsall Academy demonstrates strong performance across various domains, indicating effective leadership and a commitment to student development. The school has prioritized inclusivity by accurately identifying and addressing the individual needs of its pupils, particularly those facing barriers to learning. This approach is coupled with an engaging curriculum and a supportive environment that contributes to positive student well-being and motivation to attend school. The ongoing improvements in teaching and personal development programs enrich the educational experience, helping students achieve well in assessments and personal growth opportunities. While overall achievement is generally in line with national averages, there is an acknowledged need for further enhancement in specific areas, particularly English and mathematics. The school is aware of and actively addressing these challenges through continuous monitoring and strategic intervention. The commitment to high standards and improvement is evident, ensuring that pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, receive the support needed to succeed in their educational journey.

Strengths

• Effective leadership and governance with a clear vision for improvement.
• Strong emphasis on inclusive practices and support for individual needs.
• Well-developed personal development and well-being programs.
• High-quality careers education and guidance for students.
• Engaging and extensive extracurricular activities for pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Need for further improvement in achievement in English and mathematics.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Walsall Academy attended 91.1% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 23.5% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 4.8% of pupils at Walsall Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Walsall Academy had 14.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 12.4% of pupils at Walsall Academy were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 3.4% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Walsall Academy received £7,912 and spent £7,877 for each of its 1,422 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,850,000 (£1,301 per pupil).

Across all 5 schools of Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust, income was £7,869 and spending £7,488 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Walsall · Walsall local authority: places and applications

Walsall Academy is part of Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Thomas Telford University Technical College Wolverhampton
• Sandwell Academy West Bromwich
• Thomas Telford Primary Free School Telford
• Redhill Primary Academy Telford
• Madeley Academy Telford

What is Walsall Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Walsall Academy is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Walsall Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Walsall Academy was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Walsall Academy have?

Walsall Academy has 1,423 pupils on roll.

What age range does Walsall Academy cover?

Walsall Academy for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Walsall Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 43.5, and 34% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Walsall Academy?

Walsall Academy is at Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands, WS3 3LX.