Phoenix Academy

Phoenix Academy serves pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs, providing a supportive environment that fosters positive relationships. Staff understand and cater to the individual challenges that pupils face, leading to improvements in both attendance and behaviour. High expectations are placed on students, with numerous opportunities for enrichment outside the classroom that contribute to their personal development. Despite some strengths, particularly in the teaching of phonics and mathematics, the overall development of the curriculum is uneven across different subjects.

Strengths

• Strong pastoral support fostering positive relationships
• Effective phonics and early reading instruction
• Pupils engaged in positive learning routines
• High expectations for behaviour and learning
• Enrichment opportunities through trips and activities
• Effective safeguarding practices

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum development is inconsistent across subjects
• Assessment methods need refinement to better inform planning
• Behaviour policy implementation is still in early stages

In 2024–25 pupils at Phoenix Academy attended 87.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 42.3% 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, 10.4% of pupils at Phoenix 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 Phoenix Academy had 6.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.0% 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 Phoenix Academy had 50 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Phoenix Academy received £35,666 and spent £31,158 for each of its 48 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £9,000 (£178 per pupil).

Across all 21 schools of Academy Transformation Trust, income was £9,055 and spending £8,540 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

Phoenix Academy is part of Academy Transformation Trust, which runs 21 schools. The nearest others:

• North Walsall Primary Academy Walsall
• Jubilee Academy Mossley Walsall
• Pool Hayes Academy Willenhall
• Caldmore Primary Academy Walsall
• Bristnall Hall Academy Oldbury
• The Queen Elizabeth Academy Atherstone
• Sun Academy Bradwell Newcastle-Under-Lyme
• Star Academy, Sandyford Stoke-On-Trent
• Sutton Community Academy Sutton-In-Ashfield
• The Dukeries Academy Newark

What is Phoenix Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Phoenix Academy is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.

When was Phoenix Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Phoenix Academy was last inspected in January 2023.

How many pupils does Phoenix Academy have?

Phoenix Academy has 50 pupils on roll.

What age range does Phoenix Academy cover?

Phoenix Academy for pupils aged 5 to 11.

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

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

Where is Phoenix Academy?

Phoenix Academy is at Odell Road, Leamore, Walsall, West Midlands, WS3 2ED.