Oldbury Wells School occupies a historic site on the edge of the market town of Bridgnorth, providing a comprehensive education for students aged 11 to 18. As a central pillar of the Bridgnorth community, the school balances a long heritage with its role as a key member of the TrustEd 1-11 Learning Partnership. The school serves just over 1,000 students, including a dedicated sixth form that draws from across south Shropshire.
The school is currently led by Headteacher Adam Walker, who took office in September 2025. He succeeded Lee Tristham, who had led the school through the challenges of the early 2020s. Under this new leadership, the school continues to focus on broad curriculum access and community integration. The latest official assessments confirm the school's standing as a Good provider, with the most recent full inspection in April 2023 highlighting a calm, orderly environment and a curriculum that supports a wide range of learner needs.
The school sits on a split site campus, with the West and East buildings housing different key stages, creating a sense of progression as students move through their teenage years. The atmosphere is purposeful and grounded; it feels like a traditional Shropshire school that has successfully adapted to the modern academy landscape.
Since joining the TrustEd 1-11 Learning Partnership, Oldbury Wells has benefited from shared expertise across local primary and secondary schools. This collaboration is visible in the smooth transition for Year 7 pupils and the shared resources available to the Bridgnorth Sixth Form, which Oldbury Wells operates in partnership with nearby Bridgnorth Endowed.
Student behaviour is a noted strength. The school operates on a foundation of mutual respect, and the daily experience for students is one of structure and clarity. This is not a high pressure exam factory, but rather a community school where students are encouraged to be aspirational while remaining supported by a strong pastoral backbone.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
At GCSE level, Oldbury Wells School delivers a solid performance that aligns with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.5 in the most recent validated data period. While the Progress 8 score of -0.44 indicates that students make slightly less progress than the England average from their starting points, the school remains a competitive local choice.
The school ranks 2,511th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the 2nd position among secondary schools in the Bridgnorth area. Performance sits in the national typical band, reflecting consistent delivery for a mixed ability intake.
At A-level, the school ranks 2,152nd in England (FindMySchool ranking) and is the top ranked provider for A-level outcomes in Bridgnorth. In the measurement period, 22.4% of students achieved A* to B grades. While this sits below the England average, the school provides a vital post 16 pathway for the local community, offering a range of subjects that many rural students would otherwise have to travel significant distances to access.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
22.35%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at Oldbury Wells is characterized by clear expectations and subject expertise. The curriculum is broad, particularly in the lower years, where students explore a wide range of academic and creative subjects. In the secondary phase, there is a clear emphasis on the core disciplines of English, mathematics, and science, supported by a healthy uptake in humanities and modern foreign languages.
The school has worked to refine its curriculum to ensure that knowledge is built logically over time. In lessons, teachers use regular questioning to check for understanding, and students are generally proactive in their learning. The sixth form provision is particularly notable for its smaller class sizes, allowing for more intensive seminar style teaching that prepares students for the transition to higher education or professional apprenticeships.
For students finishing their GCSEs, the majority choose to stay within the Bridgnorth Sixth Form partnership, which offers a familiar environment with an expanded range of subject choices.
Among the 2024 leavers' cohort, 44% of students progressed to university. This is complemented by a strong contingent entering the workforce or apprenticeships; 29% of leavers moved directly into employment, while 7% secured apprenticeships. This split reflects the school's commitment to diverse pathways, supporting students who wish to pursue academic degrees at Russell Group institutions as well as those looking for technical or vocational careers within the Shropshire and West Midlands economy.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Oldbury Wells is a popular choice for local families and is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent admission cycle, the school received 332 applications for 188 available places. This creates 1.77 applications per place, meaning nearly two families applied for every one place offered.
Admissions are coordinated by Shropshire Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings of current students, and those living within the designated catchment area. Because the school is oversubscribed, families living outside the immediate Bridgnorth area should be aware that securing a place can be challenging. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to local priority zones.
Applications
332
Total received
Places Offered
188
Subscription Rate
1.8x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is a significant pillar of the school's identity. The house system provides a smaller community feel within the larger school, with healthy competition in sports and arts encouraging a sense of belonging. Each student is assigned a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for families, ensuring that individual progress and wellbeing are monitored daily.
The school provides targeted support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a dedicated team working to ensure that the curriculum is accessible. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, and there is a clear focus on mental health awareness, with staff trained to identify and support students facing emotional challenges.
The extracurricular life at Oldbury Wells is varied, with a strong emphasis on the pillars of sport, performing arts, and STEM.
The school utilizes its well-equipped laboratories and technology suites to run clubs that go beyond the standard curriculum. Students have the opportunity to engage in the Lego Robotics Challenge and various science clubs that focus on practical experimentation. The school often participates in regional STEM competitions, encouraging students to apply their mathematical and scientific knowledge to real world engineering problems.
Sporting life is active, with the school fielding teams in football, netball, rugby, and athletics. The large sports hall and outdoor fields host regular fixtures against other Shropshire schools. In the arts, the annual school production is a major event, involving students in everything from performance to technical lighting and sound. Music is also well-supported, with opportunities for peripatetic instrument lessons and various ensembles including the school choir.
The school day typically begins at 8:45am and concludes at 3:15pm. Given the school's location, many students arrive via dedicated school bus routes serving the surrounding villages. For those walking or cycling, there are secure storage facilities on site.
The school operates a cashless catering system for lunches, which are served in the communal dining halls. Information regarding school uniform and equipment lists is provided to all new starters, with the school shop or approved local retailers supplying the branded items.
Oldbury Wells School remains a reliable and respected choice for families in south Shropshire. It offers a balanced, comprehensive education with a particularly strong A-level provision that leads the local area. Best suited to students who thrive in a structured, community focused environment where a broad range of post 16 pathways is valued. While entry is competitive, for those who secure a place, the school provides a steady and supportive journey through the secondary years.
Yes, Oldbury Wells School is officially rated as Good by Ofsted. It is the top performing school in Bridgnorth for A-level outcomes and maintains a solid national typical ranking for GCSE results, placing it in the top tier of local secondary options.
The school is currently ranked 1st in Bridgnorth for A-level outcomes. In the most recent results period, 22.4% of students achieved A* to B grades, and the school serves as the lead partner in the Bridgnorth Sixth Form, providing a broad range of academic subjects.
The school is oversubscribed, with 1.77. applications per place In the last cycle, there were 332 applications for 188 places. This means that nearly two families applied for every available spot, making it one of the more competitive state schools in Shropshire.
The destinations for leavers are diverse. Approximately 44% of students progress to university, while a significant 29% enter employment and 7% start apprenticeships. This reflects the school’s role in supporting both academic and professional career paths.
The Headteacher is Mr Adam Walker, who was appointed in September 2025. He brings over 20 years of experience in education and succeeded Mr Lee Tristham in leading this dynamic Shropshire academy.
Get in touch with the school directly
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