The Westwood Academy Review 2026: A School on the Rise in Coventry

"Better never stops" is the motto driving The Westwood Academy, a mantra that has taken on tangible meaning since the school joined the high-performing Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT). Located in Canley, this mixed comprehensive has undergone a significant transformation, culminating in an Ofsted judgement of Good in February 2025. With around 875 students, it remains smaller than many of Coventry’s educational giants, allowing for a level of individual attention that parents frequently cite as a deciding factor.

The campus on Mitchell Avenue blends functional mid-century architecture with recent investments, including upgraded science laboratories and sports facilities that serve both the school and the local community. While it lacks the historic facade of some rivals, the atmosphere inside is purposeful and increasingly ambitious.

Ms Sarah Hatch has led the school through this pivotal period of improvement, working closely with the KMAT executive team to raise standards. The partnership with Kenilworth School—one of the region’s academic heavyweights—is not just a badge; it translates into shared staff expertise, joint moderation, and a curriculum that has been tightened and challenged. The "family feel" often mentioned by long-standing staff has been retained, but it is now underpinned by stricter behavioural expectations and a clearer academic focus.

In 2024, the school delivered a solid set of examination results that reflect its upward trajectory. The Average Attainment 8 score of 46.6 sits slightly above the England average of 46.0, placing the school in the middle 35% of schools in England (the middle 35% of schools in England). This represents a stable platform, ensuring students leave with qualifications that open doors to further study.

The Progress 8 score of -0.08 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with national expectations from their primary school starting points.

At A-level, the performance is particularly robust. Ranked 1271st in England and 10th in Coventry (FindMySchool ranking), the Sixth Form sees nearly half of all grades (48.7%) falling in the A*-B range. This academic strength at the top end suggests that for motivated students, the pathway to competitive universities is well-trodden.

The curriculum is ambitious and broad. Key Stage 3 students study the full range of National Curriculum subjects, with the school resisting the trend to shorten this phase. By Year 10, the core English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects are central, but the school maintains a commitment to the arts and technology—areas often squeezed elsewhere.

Teaching benefits directly from the KMAT network. Staff participate in trust-wide professional development, ensuring that a maths lesson at Westwood mirrors the high challenge found at Kenilworth. Inspectors in 2025 noted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and use assessment effectively to spot gaps in understanding.

The school’s careers provision is a strength, ensuring students have clear destinations post-16 and post-18. In 2024, 50% of Year 13 leavers progressed to university. The academic ceiling is high; the school successfully supported one student to secure a place at Cambridge in the most recent cycle, alongside others moving on to Russell Group institutions.

For those seeking alternative routes, the school has strong links with local industry and apprenticeship providers. 21% of leavers moved directly into employment, with a further 4% securing apprenticeships, reflecting the pragmatic and supportive nature of the careers guidance team.

Admissions are coordinated by Coventry City Council. The school has seen a surge in popularity following its improved Ofsted status and trust partnership. In 2024, it received 331 applications for just 127 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.6 applications per place.

For Year 7 entry in September 2026, the application deadline was 31 October 2025. Places are allocated based on standard criteria: priority is given to looked-after children and siblings, followed by straight-line distance from the school. While the school draws primarily from Canley and Tile Hill, its improving reputation is pulling in families from slightly further afield.

Pastoral care is structured around year groups, with dedicated leaders overseeing the wellbeing of their cohorts. This horizontal system ensures that the specific challenges of each age group—from the transition jitters of Year 7 to the exam pressures of Year 11—are managed by specialists.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) was praised in the 2025 inspection. The inclusion team works effectively to ensure that students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) access the full curriculum. The smaller school size is a distinct advantage here; students are less likely to fall through the cracks than in a larger setting.

The "Better never stops" ethos extends to extracurricular life. Sport is a major pillar, with the school fielding competitive teams in football, netball, and athletics, utilising the expansive playing fields. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with high participation rates at Bronze and Silver levels.

The Performing Arts department punches above its weight, with annual productions that bring the school community together. Departmental clubs, from STEM challenges to debating societies, offer enrichment that complements classroom learning.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:05pm. Located on Mitchell Avenue, the site is easily accessible via local bus routes serving Coventry. Canley train station is within walking distance, providing a link for Sixth Form students travelling from outside the immediate catchment.

Uniform is strictly enforced: a navy blazer with the school crest, white shirt, and school tie. The Sixth Form operates a business dress code, reinforcing their status as role models for younger students.

Rising competition. The "Good" judgement in 2025 has likely increased demand further. Families living on the edge of the catchment area should be realistic about their chances and use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their distance.

Leadership transition. The school has recently advertised for a new Headteacher, suggesting a change in leadership is imminent for late 2026. While the trust provides stability, families should be aware that a new leader may bring changes to policies or emphasis.

Mixed ability groups. As a comprehensive, lower school classes contain a wide range of abilities. Parents of highly able children should inquire at open evenings about how stretch and challenge are maintained in mixed-ability foundation subjects.

The Westwood Academy is a school that has found its stride. The partnership with Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust has added academic rigour to a nurturing community school, a combination validated by the 2025 Good rating. Best suited to local families who want a smaller, supportive school that is genuinely ambitious for its students. The main challenge is now securing a place as its reputation grows.