Calthorpe Academy

Calthorpe Academy continues to perform effectively as a good school, maintaining a strong focus on the wellbeing and education of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school demonstrates a robust commitment to addressing individual needs through tailored interventions, therapeutic support, and by fostering communication skills. Relationships between staff and pupils are characterized by calmness and care, which contributes to a purposeful learning environment. The school prioritizes independence and communication skills, alongside a curriculum designed to facilitate engagement with the world around them.

Strengths

• Strong emphasis on supporting pupils with SEND.
• Effective partnerships with families and specialist services.
• Calm and purposeful learning environment.
• Commitment to developing pupils' reading skills and love for books.
• Innovative curriculum pathway model that supports individualized learning.
• Proactive approach to preparing students for life beyond school.

Areas for Improvement

• Some pupils are not adequately prepared when transitioning between curriculum pathways.

In 2024–25 pupils at Calthorpe Academy attended 86.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 40.0% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

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, 0.0% of pupils at Calthorpe Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were 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 Calthorpe Academy had 7.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

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 Calthorpe Academy had 461 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Calthorpe Academy received £32,172 and spent £31,403 for each of its 430 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,740,000 (£4,048 per pupil).

Across all 7 schools of Thrive Education Partnership, income was £32,175 and spending £33,621 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 Birmingham · Birmingham local authority: places and applications

Calthorpe Academy is part of Thrive Education Partnership, which runs 7 schools. The nearest others:

• Kitts Green Academy Birmingham
• Mary Elliot Academy Walsall
• Corley Academy Coventry
• Kingsbury Academy Coventry
• The Warwickshire Academy Coventry
• Baginton Fields Academy Coventry

What is Calthorpe Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Calthorpe Academy is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Calthorpe Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Calthorpe Academy was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Calthorpe Academy have?

Calthorpe Academy has 461 pupils on roll.

What age range does Calthorpe Academy cover?

Calthorpe Academy for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Calthorpe Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Calthorpe Academy?

Calthorpe Academy is at Darwin Street, Highgate, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 0TP.