Grace Academy Solihull

Rising from the landscape of Chelmsley Wood in a striking modern campus, Grace Academy Solihull combines a distinct values-driven ethos with strong popularity. As part of the Tame River Educational Trust (now Tove Learning Trust), the academy serves a tight-knit local community where demand for places is high; in 2024, the school received over 650 applications for just 182 places. While legally a non-denominational state school, it retains a clear Christian ethos that underpins its approach to character and community.

The first thing visitors notice is the architecture. Opened in 2006, the building feels more corporate HQ than Victorian schoolhouse, with a large central atrium and glass-fronted classrooms designed to make learning visible.

Mr Matthew Godwin, who took up the Principal post in September 2023, leads a school that emphasises "Intentional Excellence" and "Limitless Potential". These are not abstract slogans but part of the daily vocabulary, woven into a Character Education programme that sits alongside academic lessons. The Christian ethos is inclusive rather than dogmatic, focusing on values like integrity and respect that apply to students of all faiths and none.

The atmosphere is purposeful. Students wear a smart business-like uniform, and the "Grace Way" sets clear expectations for behaviour. The academy employs dedicated non-teaching pastoral managers, ensuring that support is available throughout the day without interrupting teaching time.

In the 2025 dataset, Grace Academy Solihull ranks 1,923rd of 3,895 in England for GCSE academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), with an overall secondary rank of 1,878th of 3,688. This keeps the school broadly in a national middle band rather than changing the overall judgement.

Detailed metrics show a school adding value where it counts. The Progress 8 score of -0.07 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with the national average from their starting points. Attainment is stable, with an Attainment 8 score of 44.2. The share achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths is 38.8%, while 12.9% achieve grade 5 or above across the EBacc, so top-end academic grades remain an area to examine carefully.

The curriculum is structured to keep options open. Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) covers the full National Curriculum breadth, with particular strength in creative arts and sport, facilitated by the academy's extensive resources.

In Key Stage 4, the offer broadens to include significant vocational options alongside traditional GCSEs. This is a strategic strength; the school recognises that for many students, BTEC Tech Awards in Enterprise, Sport, or Health and Social Care provide a more engaging route to qualifications than a purely academic diet. Teaching varies from traditional instruction to project-based work, particularly in the vocational suites.

Post-16 pathways are diverse. In 2024, 35% of leavers progressed to university, while a significant 23% moved directly into employment and 6% into apprenticeships. This reflects the school's pragmatic approach to careers, valuing secure employment and vocational training as highly as university degrees.

Admission to Grace Academy Solihull is handled by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. The school has been significantly oversubscribed in recent admissions data, so families should treat it as a competitive application and use all preferences carefully.

With such high demand, the school essentially serves its immediate neighbourhood. Places are allocated based on looked-after status, siblings, and then straight-line distance. Families living outside the immediate Chelmsley Wood area are unlikely to secure a place unless they have a sibling already attending.

Pastoral care is structured around Year groups, each led by a Head of Year and supported by non-teaching Heads of Key Stage. This structure allows for rapid response to wellbeing concerns. The "Grace Foundation" works within the school to provide additional mentoring and family support, a unique feature that adds a layer of social care often missing in standard state schools.

The modern facilities enable a robust extracurricular life.

Sport

The sports hall and outdoor pitches host active football, basketball, and netball teams.

The Arts

The 250-seat lecture theatre acts as a hub for productions and assemblies.

Community

The "Grace values" drive a strong community service element, with students encouraged to engage in local charity work and fundraising.

The Sixth Form is a smaller, distinct community within the school. Results here present a mixed picture. In the 2025 A-level dataset, the school ranks 2,427th of 2,549 for academic outcomes, with 0% of grades at A*/A and 30% at A*-B.

However, these figures must be read in context. The Sixth Form has a heavy lean towards vocational Level 3 qualifications (BTECs/CTECs), which often suit the cohort better than traditional A-levels. For students seeking a purely academic route to elite Russell Group universities, the published figures suggest this may not be the strongest environment. For those pursuing vocational excellence in Business, Sport, or Health, the provision is more robust.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The academy is located on Chapelhouse Road, well-served by local bus routes connecting to Birmingham and Solihull.

Sixth Form Academic Focus: The A-level results remain statistically low in the 2025 dataset, with 0% of grades at A*/A. Students aiming for highly competitive university courses (Medicine, Law) should review the subject-specific support available carefully.

Oversubscription: With 3.6 applicants for every place, this is one of the most popular schools in the area. Living close to the school gates is essential for families without sibling priority.

Vocational Strength: The school's ethos values vocational and character development highly. Families seeking a traditional "grammar-style" academic pressure cooker may find the culture here different to their expectations.

Grace Academy Solihull offers a modern, supportive, and values-led education that is clearly resonating with local families. It excels at pastoral care and vocational pathways, serving its community with genuine commitment. Best suited to local families seeking a structured, modern school that values character as much as qualifications. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7.