St Edmund Campion Catholic School Review 2026, Birmingham Catholic secondary with sixth form and clear behaviour standards

Clear expectations, a strong Catholic identity, and a sizeable sixth form shape daily life at St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Erdington. The most recent inspection (January 2025) describes respectful relationships between pupils and staff, calm conduct in lessons, and a culture where difference is welcomed and bullying is not tolerated.

On results, the picture is mixed rather than headline grabbing. For GCSE outcomes, the school ranks 2,424th in England (FindMySchool ranking based on official data) and 57th in Birmingham, which places it in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Progress 8 is a relative strength at +0.29, indicating students typically make above average progress from their starting points.

Admissions are shaped by two systems at once. Year 7 entry is coordinated through Birmingham City Council’s process and deadlines, while Catholic schools typically also require a Supplementary Information Form to apply their faith based oversubscription criteria.

A calm, purposeful tone is the defining thread. The most recent inspection highlights a community where pupils understand the standards expected, behave in a mature and polite way, and feel confident that concerns will be handled appropriately. That combination matters in a large 11 to 18 school, because consistency is what stops corridors and lesson changeovers becoming a stress point for families.

Catholic life is not an add on. Staff documentation for the school explicitly frames the school as a partnership of home, parish, and school, and links daily practice to Gospel values, Catholic mission, and chaplaincy structures. For parents, that usually translates into visible routines, collective worship, charity and service work, and a values language that carries across tutor time, assemblies, and behaviour systems.

The sixth form has its own leadership and expectations. The Post 16 role description points to a culture where attendance, dress code and conduct are taken seriously, and where students are expected to act as role models for younger year groups. That helps explain why many families view the sixth form as more than a continuation of Year 11, it is positioned as a step up in independence and maturity.

For GCSE outcomes, St Edmund Campion ranks 2,424th in England and 57th in Birmingham (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

The Attainment 8 score is 47.5. Progress 8 is +0.29, which indicates students typically make stronger progress than pupils with similar prior attainment nationally.

The EBacc figures are very low (3.5% achieving grades 5+ in the EBacc), and EBacc APS is 3.95 compared with an England reference point of 4.08. In practice, the inspection narrative suggests leaders have been increasing EBacc uptake, which may mean this is an area in transition across cohorts and subject entry policies.

At A level, the school ranks 1,818th in England and 34th in Birmingham (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it below England average overall. The A level grade distribution shows 36.55% of entries at A* to B, compared with an England benchmark of 47.2% for A* to B.

One point parents often overlook is that Progress 8 and sixth form grades measure different things. A positive Progress 8 suggests teaching and support structures are helping students move forward during Key Stage 4. Sixth form outcomes then depend heavily on subject fit, independent study habits, and entry requirements into courses, so the transition into Year 12 matters as much as the headline percentages.

The inspection report describes a curriculum that has been reviewed so that key knowledge is identified clearly and taught in a logical order. It also references a shared teaching model, described as a “framework for excellence”, which aims to align what effective teaching looks like across subjects.

A useful way to interpret that as a parent is through the EEI lens.

Example: leaders standardise what good teaching looks like across the school.

Evidence: staff are expected to follow a common framework, and teachers typically select tasks that build on prior knowledge, with routine checks for understanding.

Implication: this tends to reduce variation between classes, which is often what families mean when they ask whether a school is “consistent”.

In sixth form, the school’s documentation points to specific study skills infrastructure. The Post 16 job description references the VESPA model, intervention programmes for “key marginals”, and an Extension Studies programme alongside masterclasses and bridging work for Year 11 into Year 12 transition.

For students, that signals a sixth form that is actively managed rather than hands off, with structured support for organisation and independent study alongside academic ambition.

Where Students Go Next

This is a school with a broad destinations profile rather than a narrow elite pipeline. The published leavers destinations data for the 2023 to 2024 cohort indicates: 59% progressed to university, 3% to further education, 1% to apprenticeships, and 15% to employment.

Oxbridge numbers are small but present. In the measurement period, two applications were recorded with one offer and one acceptance (combined Oxford and Cambridge). That is not a defining feature of the school, but it does show that highly competitive routes are achievable for the right student with sustained support.

A practical way to read these figures is that the school appears to serve multiple end goals. For some students, university is the standard route; for others, employment or apprenticeships may be a better fit, and families should ask how careers guidance and provider access are delivered across Years 8 to 13.

Year 7 entry for September 2026 follows Birmingham City Council’s coordinated admissions timetable. Applications opened on 01 September 2025 and the statutory closing date was 31 October 2025. National Offer Day is 02 March 2026.

As a Catholic school, oversubscription criteria are faith informed. The published arrangements set priority for baptised Catholic children within specified feeder parish and primary school groupings, with other categories following after those places are allocated. Distance is used as a tie breaker where needed within categories. Families should expect to complete the council application and also submit the school’s Supplementary Information Form where required, because that is typically how the school can apply faith based priorities.

Because the last distance offered figure is not available here, families should not assume proximity alone will be enough. The practical step is to treat this as a two part process: meet the faith evidence requirements if you are applying under Catholic criteria, and make sure you are realistic about oversubscription.

Parents comparing several Birmingham options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub pages to view outcomes side by side using the Comparison Tool, then shortlist based on a blend of results, ethos, and travel time.

The inspection evidence points to a school where pupils feel safe, staff deal with concerns appropriately, and behaviour expectations are understood across the community. It also identifies provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities as a strength, noting precise identification of needs and systematic curriculum adaptation so pupils with SEND can achieve across the school.

Beyond safeguarding and behaviour, the sixth form structure matters for wellbeing. The Post 16 leadership role description emphasises high standards in attendance and conduct, student voice meetings, and targeted support for students at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET), using tracking and intervention strategies.

For families, that suggests pastoral care is closely linked to achievement and destinations, especially for students who need clearer scaffolding rather than complete independence.

Even without a full published clubs list accessible here, there are several named enrichment strands that give a sense of breadth.

Example: leadership and enrichment are built into sixth form life rather than treated as optional extras.

Evidence: the sixth form structure includes Extension Studies, curriculum enrichment days, and masterclasses, alongside opportunities for student voice and mentoring younger pupils.

Implication: students who respond well to structured development opportunities, and who want a clearer portfolio for university or apprenticeship applications, are likely to benefit.

Example: the school’s ethos work is organised, not informal.

Evidence: chaplaincy is explicitly referenced as part of sixth form leadership and Catholic life structures.

Implication: students seeking a values led setting, including service and community contribution, tend to find the culture coherent rather than tokenistic.

Example: nationally recognised youth awards are part of the wider offer.

Evidence: published information linked to the school references the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Implication: pupils who thrive with long term goals, volunteering, and outdoor activity can use this as a development route alongside exam study.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still plan for the usual secondary costs such as uniform, equipment, educational visits, and optional activities.

For travel, this part of Erdington is typically served by local bus routes, and many families will consider door to door travel time at peak hours as the deciding factor. If you are weighing several schools, FindMySchool Map Search is a sensible way to compare travel distance consistently, then sense check the journey at school start and finish times.

School day times and wraparound style provision are not confirmed from accessible official pages in this review, so families should check the latest published term time schedule and punctuality expectations directly with the school office.

• Sixth form outcomes are below England benchmarks. The A level ranking sits below England average, so course choice, entry requirements, and independent study habits will matter. Families should ask about subject level entry criteria and how students are guided into realistic pathways.

• Admissions rely on process detail. Catholic oversubscription criteria can be document heavy. Missing a Supplementary Information Form, or not providing the right faith evidence, can materially affect priority.

• EBacc entry appears to be an area of change. The dataset shows low EBacc measures, while inspection evidence indicates leaders have been increasing uptake. Ask how languages and humanities entry is handled and what that means for your child’s options.

• Expect high standards for behaviour and presentation. That suits many pupils well, especially those who like clear boundaries, but it can feel demanding for children who struggle with routines unless there is strong home and school alignment.

St Edmund Campion offers a values driven Catholic education with clear expectations for behaviour and a structured approach to learning, including a sixth form that emphasises study habits and progression planning. The academic profile is strongest when judged by progress through Key Stage 4 rather than by top end post 16 outcomes. Best suited to families who actively want a faith based culture and who prefer schools with clear routines, consistent standards, and a managed approach to sixth form independence.