Ernesford Grange Community Academy Review 2026: Community College with Strong Support for Every Learner

A purpose-built community comprehensive built in 1972 on the outskirts of Coventry, Ernesford Grange Academy occupies the role of local secondary serving the Ernesford Grange area. With nearly 1,130 students across Years 7-13, the school functions as both an academic gateway and a social anchor for its diverse catchment community. The River Sowe borders part of the campus, and after significant renovation of school buildings in recent years, the physical environment reflects genuine investment in learning spaces. The school holds Ofsted's 'Good' rating from 2019 and operates as part of the Sidney Stringer Multi Academy Trust, one of five schools within that wider education network.

Ernesford Grange operates from a foundation of three explicit values: kindness, determination, and respect. These are not decorative; the school's leadership emphasises these consistently across all communications and structures. Currently under interim leadership from Mrs Jefferson and Mr Cotterill, the academy has rebuilt many blocks and reorganised its timetable to strengthen teaching and learning. The atmosphere is genuinely inclusive. Staff are described as approachable, and students are frequently noted by visitors for their courtesy and pleasant demeanour on school trips and in public settings.

The house system divides students into four named houses: Alvis, Daimler, Humber, and Triumph (notably named after classic car manufacturers, reflecting Coventry's automotive heritage). This structure creates smaller communities within the larger school, allowing every student to belong to a defined peer group with dedicated pastoral oversight. Behaviour has improved notably since the previous inspection. The school's pastoral culture emphasises mutual care and community service; students regularly volunteer in local community activities and participate in fundraising for charitable causes.

GCSE Performance

GCSE results sit below England averages. The Attainment 8 score of 40.9 compares to the England average of 45.9. Just 41% of students achieved grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics, below the England benchmark. The Progress 8 score of -0.37 indicates that pupils make below-average progress relative to their starting points, meaning the school faces headwinds in translating effort into measurable exam outcomes.

Ernesford Grange ranks 3,134th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 32% of schools nationally. Locally, the school ranks 23rd out of Coventry's secondary schools, suggesting it serves a community with significant educational challenges and higher proportions of students requiring additional support.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, 34% of students achieved grades A*-B. This represents progress relative to the cohort's GCSE baseline but remains below the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1,783rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), again in the lower percentile nationally. However, the sixth form offers a pathway for students who benefit from a smaller, more supported environment at post-16. A cohort-wide completion rate of 100% on main study programmes indicates strong retention once students commit to A-level study.

University progression from the sixth form shows that 47% of leavers progressed to university, with a further 33% entering employment and 8% pursuing apprenticeships. One student secured a place at Cambridge in recent years, and the school provides structured guidance to prepare students for competitive applications.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and use engaging, activities-based teaching to motivate students. The Ofsted inspection confirmed that staff plan lessons carefully and reflect genuine enthusiasm for their subjects in the classroom. For students with additional learning needs, the school provides tailored support through interventions targeted to specific difficulties. A dedicated Alternative Centre for Education (ACE) offers Key Stage 4 students alternative qualifications and work-related pathways when traditional GCSE routes don't suit their profile. The Base provides a safe space for students with autism or attachment difficulties to decompress during the school day.

The curriculum is described as appropriately broad and balanced, with strong emphasis on personal development and behaviour. English Baccalaureate qualifications are promoted to broaden students' foundations, though uptake remains modest. Literacy is a designated priority across the school, with dedicated staff leading reading initiatives and speaking and listening development.

Teaching Support and SEND Provision

Ernesford Grange acknowledges that pupils with SEND make slower progress and attend less regularly than other pupils, a finding the school takes seriously. However, support mechanisms are in place and expanding. An SENCO-led team coordinates individual support plans for students with EHCPs, and first aid-trained staff attend to medical needs. School nurses offer drop-in healthcare, and the school engages with English as an Additional Language (EAL) services for multilingual learners. An adaptation programme helps students with specific medical requirements through individualised health care plans developed with medical professionals.

Where Students Go Next

Post-16, the school's sixth form is the natural progression route for many, though entry requires meeting specific subject and attainment criteria. Of Year 11 leavers, the majority continue into the sixth form or progress to local further education colleges. Sixth form leavers head predominantly to universities, with career guidance emphasising realistic pathways linked to employment prospects. A specialist careers service provides education, information, advice, and guidance to Year 9 onwards, helping students understand the labour market and plan accordingly.

The school maintains a diverse programme of enrichment activities, sports, and personal development opportunities. The physical facilities support this breadth: a large sports hall hosts indoor sports and assemblies; a theatre hosts drama performances and concerts; a hydrotherapy pool is used for both therapeutic and recreational swimming; gymnasium and fitness spaces support PE teaching. Tennis courts and a netball court extend provision for racquet and court sports.

Named sports teams and clubs include extensive football (boys and girls fixtures), netball, basketball, and cricket participation. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates from Bronze through Gold levels, building character and outdoor competence. Build a Sports Car is an engaging mechanical engineering project involving Year 9 students in automotive design and construction, directly engaging students in practical STEM through a vehicle project. A dedicated Learning Revolution initiative focuses on student voice and agency in learning design.

Music and drama provide creative outlets. The school operates school productions, student-led performances, and musical ensembles though specific ensemble names were not detailed on accessible website pages. School council and house competitions foster leadership and inter-house collaboration. A library facility supports independent study and leisure reading. The enrichment calendar is deliberately varied, with clubs and activities running multiple evenings per week and selected weekends.

Entry to Year 7 is coordinated through Coventry's local authority admissions process. The school draws from a broad catchment area covering the Ernesford Grange locality and surrounding Binley and Stoke Aldermoor areas. Over 1.67 applications per place in recent admissions cycles indicate oversubscription, meaning families should verify catchment eligibility with Coventry City Council. No entrance exam is required; allocation is by distance and standard admissions criteria (looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school receive priority).

Entry to sixth form is by application and requires a minimum attainment threshold typically around four grade 5s or above at GCSE, with higher requirements in subjects students wish to study. Late applications may be considered subject to space availability. Parents should contact the school directly to confirm specific entry requirements for their intended subjects.

School day operates from 8:40am to 3:20pm, with structured timetable blocks. The school is situated on Princethorpe Way in Binley, Coventry, with ample parking on site for visitor vehicles and parent drop-off. Public transport includes local bus routes; the nearest railway station is Coventry, approximately 2 miles away. The school offers a comprehensive uniform policy (details available from the admissions office) and operates a cashless ParentPay system for lunch purchases and school-related costs. Free school meals are available to eligible families through the national scheme.

The school prioritises student wellbeing through structured pastoral provision. Every student belongs to a form group within one of the four houses; form tutors provide daily contact and oversee attendance, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing. The school uses ClassCharts to communicate behaviour, attendance, and academic progress to parents in real time, allowing swift intervention if concerns emerge. Regular contact between school and parents is actively maintained through parents' events, attendance reviews, and newsletters.

Behaviour policy is clearly communicated and applied consistently. The school reports that pupils behave well in lessons and during social time, with considerable improvement noted since the previous inspection. Respectful conduct is reinforced through the school's core values framework. Safeguarding is a priority; the school has clear procedures for child protection and operates with dedicated safeguarding leadership.

Exam performance below England average. GCSE and A-level results are both below national averages. Families choosing this school must understand that the pathway to university is possible but requires students to work above their baseline and may narrow subject options at both GCSE and A-level. This is a comprehensive, inclusive school serving a diverse community; it is not an academic flagship.

SEND progress slower than peers. The school acknowledges that pupils with identified SEND make slower progress and have lower attendance than other cohorts. Support is in place, but families with children requiring significant additional provision should seek detailed conversations with the SENCO about specific resource allocation and track record with their child's identified need.

Limited transport links. The school's location, while serving a definable community, is not on major public transport routes. Families without a car may find daily commute challenging, particularly for students travelling from outside the immediate catchment.

Oversubscribed admissions. With over 1.67 applications per place, securing entry via distance-based allocation is competitive. Families should verify their exact postcode distance and confirm eligibility with Coventry admissions early in the application cycle.

Ernesford Grange Community Academy is a genuinely inclusive comprehensive school that reflects its catchment's diversity and supports every student's progression. The school's core values of kindness, determination, and respect are embedded in daily practice, not merely stated. Results are below national average, but the school is transparent about this and focused on improvement; behaviour has demonstrably improved since inspection. The six form offers a supported pathway for those progressing post-16. This school suits families seeking a neighbourhood comprehensive with genuine pastoral care, authentic community ethos, and realistic progression routes to employment or further study, rather than a high-attaining academic institution. Best suited to families within the defined catchment who value inclusive community over exam-driven pressure, and who will support their child's learning at home.