Blackwater Academy
| Type | Independent School / Other independent school |
| Age Range | 12-20 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | 14 Riverside Drive Stechford Birmingham B33 9BF |
| Phone | 01212380758 |
| Reference Number | 143039 |
Blackwater Academy has shown progress since the last inspection, with leaders demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of education for their pupils. The school has made strides in engaging students with a curriculum that reflects their complex needs, resulting in better lesson planning and increased pupil motivation. However, despite these improvements, the school has not fully addressed all the deficiencies identified previously, with ongoing issues related to assessment and support for special educational needs still present. This inspection marks the school's first progress monitoring visit since their last standard inspection, highlighting both achievements and areas still requiring attention.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 43 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 72.09%
Girls: 27.91% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 0% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 100% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| Last Report Date | 15 Oct 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 15 Oct 2025 | Additional inspection |
| 11 Feb 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 22 Nov 2023 | Additional inspection |
| 26 Apr 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 06 Oct 2020 | Additional inspection |
| 02 Oct 2019 | Additional inspection |
| 06 Sep 2018 | Additional inspection |
| 22 May 2018 | Standard inspection: |
Strengths
- Leaders have shown a strong commitment to engaging pupils in their learning.
- The school has introduced a broad, flexible curriculum aligned with home schools.
- Lesson planning has improved, leading to better staff confidence and pupil motivation.
- Safeguarding practices are effective and embedded in the school culture.
- Safer recruitment practices for staff are thorough and responsive.
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent understanding of pupils’ prior knowledge and assessment of progress.
- Foundational gaps in literacy and other essential skills persist.
- Provision for pupils with SEND is not consistently tailored to individual needs.
- Some independent school standards related to education quality are still unmet.
- Leadership and management standards related to educational provision are not fully met.
| Name | Distance |
|
St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School
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0.13 miles |
|
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School
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|
Stechford Primary School
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0.44 miles |
|
Bordesley Green East Nursery School
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0.55 miles |
|
Beaufort School
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0.58 miles |
|
Beaufort School
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0.61 miles |
|
Colebourne Primary School
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|
Thornton Primary School
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0.63 miles |
|
Alston Primary School
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0.72 miles |
|
Blakesley Hall Primary School
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0.72 miles |
|
Sladefield Infant School
Bamville Road, Ward End, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 2TJ |
0.84 miles |
|
Washwood Heath Nursery School
201 Sladefield Road, Birmingham, B8 2SY |
0.86 miles |
|
Audley Primary School
Audley Road, Stechford, Birmingham, West Midlands, B33 9HY |
0.9 miles |
|
The Oval School
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0.91 miles |
|
Ward End Primary School
Ingleton Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 2RA |
1.08 miles |
|
Bordesley Green Primary School
Marchmont Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5XX |
1.1 miles |
|
Hodge Hill Primary School
76 Twycross Grove, Hodge Hill, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 8LD |
1.11 miles |
|
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
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1.22 miles |
|
Lift Lea Forest
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1.25 miles |
|
Shaw Hill Primary School
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1.28 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Riverside Education
2 Riverside Drive, Stechford, Birmingham, West Midlands, B33 9BF |
0.02 miles |
|
Washwood Heath Academy
Burney Lane, Stechford, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 2AS |
0.36 miles |
|
Saltley Academy
Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5RX |
0.7 miles |
|
Waverley School
Yardley Green Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5QA |
0.93 miles |
|
Waverley Studio College
470 Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5SX |
0.99 miles |
|
Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Birmingham East
441 Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 3DT |
1.1 miles |
|
Hodge Hill College
Bromford Road, Hodge Hill, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 8HB |
1.11 miles |
|
Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham
256 Hob Moor Road, Birmingham, B10 9HH |
1.11 miles |
|
Braidwood School for the Deaf
Bromford Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 8AF |
1.11 miles |
|
Hodge Hill Girls' School
Bromford Road, Hodge Hill, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 8EY |
1.17 miles |
|
Hamd House School
73 Burbidge Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 4US |
1.27 miles |
|
Rockwood Academy
Naseby Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 3HG |
1.3 miles |
|
Starbank School
Hob Moor Road, Birmingham, B10 9BT |
1.31 miles |
|
Kitts Green Academy
Hallmoor Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B33 9QY |
1.36 miles |
|
Hallmoor School
50 Scholars Gate, Kitts Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B33 0DL |
1.54 miles |
|
Cockshut Hill School
Cockshut Hill, Yardley, Birmingham, West Midlands, B26 2HX |
1.54 miles |
|
Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth Form
Bordesley Green Road, Birmingham, B9 4TR |
1.66 miles |
|
R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre
334 Bordesley Green Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B8 1BY |
1.71 miles |
|
SILVER BIRCH SCHOOL
170 Packington Avenue, Shard End, Birmingham, B34 7RD |
1.87 miles |
|
Tile Cross Academy
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1.92 miles |