Waverley School, Birmingham Review 2026: All-through education with a distinctive sixth form pathway

In an area of Birmingham where families often want continuity and strong pastoral structures, Waverley’s all-through model is its headline advantage. Children can start in Reception and stay through to sixth form, which matters in practice because it reduces the number of disruptive transition points, and allows staff to track pupils and students over years rather than terms.

The latest Ofsted inspection (28 and 29 September 2021) judged the school Good across all areas, including early years and sixth form.

Academically, the picture varies by phase. Primary outcomes are a clear strength, with Key Stage 2 results placing the school above the England average and within the top quarter of primaries in England on the FindMySchool ranking. By contrast, GCSE and A-level outcomes sit lower on the FindMySchool rankings, and the sixth form is best understood as a broad, mixed academic and vocational offer with defined entry requirements by subject.

Parents should also factor in demand. Both Reception and Year 7 are oversubscribed, and Year 7 admissions are shaped by internal transfer from the school’s own Year 6 cohort, which reduces the number of external places available.

Waverley’s identity is closely tied to two things: its all-through structure, and its community-facing ethos. The school publicly anchors its culture in the values of humanity, equality, aspiration, and respect, and repeatedly positions “learning through diversity” as a guiding principle. These themes are not just branding. External evidence describes pupils as confident talking about diversity and tolerance, and highlights that relationships, sex and health education has meaningful parental support.

The leadership model is also distinctive. Rather than a single head across all phases, Waverley operates with principals leading primary and secondary plus sixth form. The current secondary and sixth form principal, Mr Hugh Derry, was appointed in October 2023, with the role starting in early November 2023. Primary is led by Ms Satnam Dosanjh. This matters for families because it usually results in phase-specific priorities, for example early reading and routines in primary, and options, qualifications and destination planning in secondary and post-16.

The physical environment is unusually notable for a state school. The current buildings are widely described as award-winning, with the design characterised by multi-storey blocks connected by stepped landscape terraces and glazed bridges. The architectural practice responsible lists a 2014 RIBA National Award for Architecture for the project. For parents, this tends to translate into a site planned around year groups and specialist areas, rather than a single traditional corridor model.

Primary outcomes

Primary performance is the strongest part of the overall profile.

In 2024, 77.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 22.67% achieved the higher level in reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%. Reading and mathematics scaled scores were 105 and 108 respectively, and grammar, punctuation and spelling was 108.

Rankings give this context: Ranked 3,478th in England and 59th in Birmingham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places the school above the England average, comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

GCSE outcomes

At GCSE level, the outcomes are more mixed and sit below the middle of England schools on the FindMySchool ranking.

The school’s Attainment 8 figure is 39.7, and Progress 8 is -0.04, indicating outcomes close to national expectations but slightly below the baseline once prior attainment is considered. EBacc strength is more limited on the published measure available here, with 8.8% achieving grades 5 or above across the EBacc measure listed.

Ranked 2,976th in England and 75th in Birmingham for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places the school below the England average overall on the FindMySchool distribution.

The most constructive way to interpret this is to separate culture and curriculum ambition from headline exam indicators. Official inspection evidence describes an ambitious curriculum and strong delivery in mathematics and languages, alongside areas for development in cross-phase sequencing in some subjects. For families, that usually reads as a school that aims high, but where outcomes will depend heavily on the individual student’s starting point and engagement, plus the stability of teaching in specific subject areas.

A-level outcomes

The sixth form has a broad offer, but outcomes sit low relative to England sixth forms.

In the most recent A-level dataset presented here, 1.48% of grades were A*, 5.19% were A, and 20% were A* to B. The England average for A* to B is 47.2%, so Waverley’s headline A-level grade profile is well below the England benchmark on that measure.

Ranked 2,411th in England and 52nd in Birmingham for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

This does not mean the sixth form lacks value. It does indicate that parents should look closely at subject fit, entry requirements, and whether the student is choosing a programme aligned to strengths, with realistic expectations about grade outcomes compared to higher-performing sixth forms.

The strongest evidence on teaching and learning comes from the way Waverley uses its all-through structure. A well-run all-through school can avoid the Year 6 to Year 7 “reset”, where pupils lose momentum because curriculum assumptions change. Official evidence describes this continuity as an advantage, particularly where curriculum leaders collaborate across phases.

Early reading is a clear priority. The evidence base points to systematic phonics in Reception and a reading culture that supports fluency later on, while also noting that consistency in phonics delivery in Years 1 and 2 is an area leaders were expected to tighten. The implication for families is straightforward: younger pupils benefit most when home reading routines are stable and parents understand the phonics approach being used.

At secondary and sixth form, subject offer and entry requirements are unusually transparent. The sixth form sets course-specific grade thresholds, such as Grade 6 GCSE Mathematics for A-level Mathematics, and Grade 6 GCSE English for A-level English Literature. It also specifies higher entry expectations for students who want to study multiple sciences at A level. For families, that clarity can prevent mismatched choices and reduce the risk of students starting courses they are unlikely to complete successfully.

Languages also stand out as a curricular thread. Evidence shows Spanish taught through the school, and the school also identifies French and Urdu as taught languages, which can be a strong fit for families who value language learning as part of the school’s wider cultural goals.

Because Waverley is all-through, “next steps” happen at several points: transfer to Year 7, post-16 choices, and post-18 destinations.

Internal progression

For pupils already at Waverley in Year 6, transfer to Year 7 is automatic. That can be a major stress reducer for families who prioritise certainty and continuity, and it can also allow the school to plan Year 7 curriculum with a known cohort.

Sixth form and post-18 pathways

Waverley’s sixth form combines A levels with vocational Level 3 options, with an emphasis on ensuring students are on courses that match ability and ambition. Enrichment and progression support are explicit, including Extended Project Qualification, work experience, access to university programmes, and structured support for Oxbridge applications, without implying that Oxbridge places are routine.

On the most recent published leaver destinations dataset available here, 63% of leavers progressed to university, 4% started apprenticeships, and 2% moved into further education. For a cohort of 54, that suggests a predominantly higher education pathway with a smaller, but still present, vocational route.

The practical implication is that Waverley’s sixth form is likely to suit students who want a local post-16 option with a range of academic and applied courses, and who will benefit from structured pastoral support and enrichment. Families seeking a strongly exam-driven sixth form with top-end grade outcomes should compare carefully with other sixth forms in Birmingham.

Waverley is oversubscribed at both major entry points, and the admissions detail matters because places are not equally available to external applicants at all phases.

Reception entry (September 2026 timeline)

Reception is coordinated through Birmingham City Council. In the most recent demand dataset provided here, there were 118 applications for 43 offers, which is approximately 2.74 applications per place, and the entry route is recorded as oversubscribed.

Birmingham’s published timetable for September 2026 Reception entry sets a closing date of 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026.

Year 7 entry (September 2026 timeline)

Year 7 entry is also heavily oversubscribed. The demand dataset provided here shows 995 applications for 117 offers, which is approximately 8.5 applications per place.

The school’s determined admissions criteria confirm that pupils already on roll in Waverley’s Year 6 automatically transfer to Year 7. For external applicants, this is a key reality check: even when the Year 7 published admission number is larger, the number of places available to children coming from other primaries is smaller because part of the year group is filled internally.

For Birmingham’s coordinated September 2026 Year 7 process, the closing date for on-time applications is 31 October 2025, with offers released on 2 March 2026. Late applications remain possible but are treated differently by the local authority.

Sixth form entry

Sixth form applications are made directly to the school, and applicants may be invited to interview. Entry requirements are set course by course, which can be particularly helpful for students joining from another school, because it clarifies what grades are needed before results day decisions.

Open events and visits

For September 2026 Reception entry, the school published EYFS open day tours in mid-October 2025. For Year 7 and Year 12, the school published an open evening in early October 2025, plus open morning tours over the following two days. Since those dates are now in the past, families should treat them as a pattern indicator, with open events typically appearing in early autumn each year, and check the school calendar for the most up to date schedule.

A practical step here is to use FindMySchool’s Map Search and Comparison Tool to shortlist realistic alternatives alongside Waverley, so a single late deadline or an unsuccessful application does not leave families without a strong Plan B.

Pastoral strength is one of Waverley’s more consistent themes across phases. The school publicly describes safeguarding work that includes information-sharing arrangements and local partnership activity, which matters in an urban context where safeguarding risks can be complex and multi-agency responses are often required.

Ofsted confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff training, secure record-keeping, and prompt referrals where needed.

At sixth form level, support structures are clear. Students have a personal tutor throughout sixth form, daily tutor contact, a study support programme, and access to counselling on a drop-in or appointment basis. This tends to suit students who benefit from predictable adult oversight and structured routines, particularly during Year 12 and Year 13 when workload and decision-making can spike.

Extracurricular life is best understood through what the school names and organises, rather than generic claims.

Sixth form enrichment and pathways

The sixth form offers a defined enrichment menu: Duke of Edinburgh, Extended Project Qualification, work experience, charity foundation projects, and “access to university” programmes. Sport features in structured form through a Cricket Academy, football with a professional coach, fitness club and hockey club.

There is also a strong emphasis on social mobility and progression programmes. Published sixth form material lists initiatives such as The Brilliant Club, The Access Project (tutoring support), KPMG social mobility workshops, summer schools linked to local universities, and a named pathway into health care. The implication for families is that post-16 is not treated as “more of the same”, it is framed as a preparation stage with external partnerships and structured mentoring.

Leadership and community events

Student leadership is a visible feature. The school describes student ambassadors supporting open events and parent consultation evenings, and student leadership teams leading charity activity including Culture Day, presented as the school’s largest annual event celebrating diversity. For students, this provides a legitimate route to develop confidence, planning skills and public speaking, and can also support CV and university application narratives when done consistently over time.

Primary sport and activity provision

At primary level, published PE and Sport Premium information names external coaching and clubs, including an Aston Villa coaching package and an Aura MMA after-school club. This is a useful signal for parents who want structured sport options, particularly if the child responds well to specialist coaching rather than generalist delivery.

School-day structure is clearly published. Secondary and sixth form operate a continuous day, with dismissal at 15:00 shown on the daily routine page, and a timetable built around form time, five periods, and staggered break and lunch arrangements. Primary routines and start and finish times are also published, although different pages present timings in different formats, so parents should rely on the most current routine information when planning childcare.

Wraparound care (breakfast and after-school provision) is not consistently presented as a single current offer across phases in the published material. Families who need reliable childcare beyond the school day should check the latest school communications and confirm what is currently running.

For travel, the school sits on Yardley Green Road. Public transport planning is best handled through Transport for West Midlands’ journey planning tools, which provide bus, train and walking route options.

• Competition for places. Demand is high at both Reception and Year 7, and Year 7 places for external applicants are reduced by the automatic transfer of Waverley’s own Year 6 cohort. This makes realistic alternative choices important.

• Academic profile varies by phase. Primary outcomes are a clear strength, while GCSE and A-level outcomes sit lower on the FindMySchool rankings. Families should interpret the school as strongest for primary continuity, and more mixed at secondary and post-16, with student fit and course choice becoming central.

• Sixth form outcomes and expectations. The sixth form has a broad curriculum and strong enrichment pathways, but headline A-level grade measures sit below England averages. Students will do best where course selection matches prior attainment and motivation, using the published entry criteria as a guide.

• Building and site style. The award-winning design is a positive for many families, but open-plan and cluster-style layouts can feel different from traditional corridors. Visiting during open events is worthwhile if your child is sensitive to noise or needs very quiet study spaces.

Waverley School, Birmingham offers something genuinely practical in a big city: an all-through route from Reception to sixth form, with published routines, a clear set of values, and an enrichment-heavy sixth form that takes progression seriously. It suits families who prioritise continuity, structured pastoral support, and a school that explicitly engages with diversity and community identity.

The main challenge is admission rather than what happens after entry, particularly for Year 7 external applicants. For families who secure a place, the experience is likely to feel most compelling in the primary years and in the sixth form’s enrichment and pathway support, while GCSE and A-level outcomes warrant careful comparison with other local options.