High Point Academy

High Point Academy is performing well overall, having achieved a 'Good' rating in most areas, with exceptional performance in behavior and personal development, which both received an 'Outstanding' grade. This first inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 highlights the school's commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment tailored for pupils with autism, ensuring they are happy, safe, and well cared for. The school has adapted its curriculum effectively to meet the needs of its increasingly complex pupil cohort, demonstrating strong leadership and management in response to growing student numbers and varying needs. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that subject knowledge is clearly defined and sequenced across all subjects to enhance pupil learning. Although the teaching of reading is enjoyable and engaging, a structured approach to phonics instruction is lacking for some early-stage readers, which may hinder their ability to progress as quickly as possible. Overall, the school's nurturing environment and individual support mechanisms provide a strong foundation for pupil success, but there is room for refinement in curriculum delivery.

Strengths

• Exceptional behavior and attitudes among pupils.
• Strong leadership committed to pupil education.
• Highly skilled staff effectively support individual pupil needs.
• Inclusive environment that fosters a love of reading.
• Pupils engage in diverse activities and responsibilities.
• Effective collaboration with external agencies to support pupils' well-being.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent definition and sequencing of subject knowledge across the curriculum.
• Lack of a systematic approach to phonics instruction for some early-stage readers.

In 2024–25 pupils at High Point Academy attended 86.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 35.2% 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, 5.6% of pupils at High Point 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 High Point Academy had 14.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 45.4% 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 High Point Academy had 115 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; 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 High Point Academy received £31,233 and spent £26,644 for each of its 108 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £524,000 (£4,848 per pupil).

Across all 6 schools of Forward Education Trust, income was £29,226 and spending £27,361 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 Wednesbury · Sandwell local authority: places and applications

High Point Academy is part of Forward Education Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• The Bridge School Birmingham
• Hallmoor School Birmingham
• The Heights Academy Solihull
• Leycroft Academy Birmingham
• Brays School Birmingham

What is High Point Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for High Point Academy is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was High Point Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

High Point Academy was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does High Point Academy have?

High Point Academy has 115 pupils on roll.

What age range does High Point Academy cover?

High Point Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is High Point Academy?

High Point Academy is at Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 0JS.