In 1850, William Penny Brookes founded the Wenlock Olympian Games in Much Wenlock, a vision that inspired Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create the modern Olympic Movement over 40 years later. Today, William Brookes School bears his name and remains the only Coubertin school in Great Britain. Founded as a secondary modern in 1953, the school has undergone significant transformation, including a £27 million rebuild completed in 2010. However, the May 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded a Requires Improvement rating across most areas, signalling challenges that families need to understand honestly. The sixth form, by contrast, was rated Good. With 820 students across two mixed-form entry cohorts, the school remains oversubscribed at Year 7 entry, attracting families across Shropshire and Telford, though academic outcomes and behaviour require visible improvement.
William Brookes School occupies modern facilities set in the Shropshire countryside, with a distinctive Olympic heritage woven into its identity. The school's values centre around the Olympic ideals of respect, excellence, and friendship, and staff and students encounter these values repeatedly through the house system, rewards structure, and community events. The school is part of The 3-18 Education Trust, joining in April 2021 as part of a wider push toward improvement.
Under the leadership of Ruth Shaw, who became head teacher in July 2024, the school is implementing a focused improvement plan. The previous head, Stephen Richards, oversaw several years of effort, but the Ofsted inspection in May 2024 found that progress has been uneven. Inspectors noted that most pupils report feeling safe and recognise improvements in behaviour, with fewer disruptions in lessons compared to previous years. However, a significant minority of students lack motivation and disengage during lessons. Teachers have good subject knowledge but do not consistently employ strategies to re-engage these pupils.
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.
The school invested heavily in modern facilities. The 2010 rebuilding created classrooms equipped for contemporary learning, a dedicated sports hall, floodlit outdoor sports areas, and access to Much Wenlock Leisure Centre with its swimming pool and artificial grass pitch. Yet buildings alone do not drive improvement; the challenge lies in consistent teaching quality and student engagement.
GCSE results have not kept pace with the school's facilities or ambitions. In 2024, the Attainment 8 score was 39.4, significantly below the England average of around 46. Only 8% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate subjects (English, maths, sciences, languages, and humanities), compared to a national average of approximately 40%.
More concerning, the Progress 8 measure stood at -0.95, meaning pupils on average made significantly less progress than expected from their starting points. This metric is crucial: it suggests that students with similar ability at age 11 would progress further in most other schools.
The school ranks 3,061st in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 34% of secondary schools nationally, in the lower 40% of schools in England Locally, it ranks first among Much Wenlock schools, but this reflects limited local competition rather than strength.
The sixth form paints a more optimistic picture, though with lower numbers. In 2024, 4% of A-level grades were A*, 10% were A, and 27% were B. The school ranks 1,623rd in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 39% of sixth form providers. However, inspectors rated sixth form provision as Good, noting that students benefit from a calm, purposeful environment with staff who support their aspirations. One student secured a Cambridge place in 2024.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
41.67%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and ambitious. All students in Key Stage 3 study English, mathematics, science, geography, history, computing, technology, music, art, drama, dance, personal social and health education, and religious studies, plus French or Spanish. Physical education includes seven different sports. At Key Stage 4, students select from a wide range of GCSEs and BTECs.
However, delivery is inconsistent. Ofsted inspectors found that while teachers have good subject knowledge, they do not always deploy effective strategies to address varying student needs. Many pupils enjoy learning but a significant minority opt out of active participation. Teachers often do not challenge these disengaged students adequately. Assessment practices are not consistently understood by staff, meaning pupils do not always know what they need to do to improve.
The school recognises these issues. Leadership has identified the need for better teaching strategies, more consistent assessment practices, and improved behaviour. These are realistic goals, but implementation will require time and sustained focus.
In 2024, 45% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, 36% entered employment, 9% started apprenticeships, and 2% pursued further education. One student secured a place at Cambridge. Without published data on Russell Group destinations or specific university names, the picture suggests a mix of outcomes typical for a school at this performance level.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Requires Improvement
Leadership & Management
Requires Improvement
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Year 7 entry is oversubscribed, with 1.51 applications per place in the most recent cycle. Admissions are coordinated through Shropshire Local Authority; the school is non-selective and admits by distance after looked-after children and siblings. The school continues to coordinate with the LA despite academy status. Open days typically run in September and October; families should visit the school website for current dates and booking details.
The sixth form welcomes external candidates alongside internal progressions. Entry requirements vary by subject; the school website provides specific guidance.
Applications
189
Total received
Places Offered
125
Subscription Rate
1.5x
Apps per place
One of the school's most distinctive features is The Edge Arts Centre, a community facility housed on the school campus. The centre features a 240-seat main theatre (Studio 1) with recently upgraded lighting and sound, a 98-seat Studio 2, and a 90-seat cinema. The school specialises in performing arts, and student productions are central to school life. The centre hosts cinema screenings (typically Mondays), theatre performances, dance, music, comedy, and literature events for the local community and for student productions. This gives students access to professional-standard performance spaces and exposure to live theatre and film.
The school offers instrumental tuition across multiple instruments, and a range of music clubs and ensembles. Duke of Edinburgh Award runs to Gold level, with many students completing Bronze and Silver awards, fostering discipline and outdoor leadership.
The school fields teams in rugby, football, hockey, tennis, athletics, and other sports. Access to Much Wenlock Leisure Centre (jointly managed with the school) provides a swimming pool and 3G artificial grass pitch. A sports hall and floodlit outdoor courts allow fixtures and training to continue beyond daylight hours. The school's Olympic heritage means sports achievement and physical development are valued, though competitive success is mixed.
The school runs clubs across academic, creative, and social interests, though the current clubs page indicates the full list is being updated. Named opportunities include chess, Duke of Edinburgh Award, subject-based clubs in sciences and languages, and enrichment trips. Residential visits broaden experiences; the school organises trips abroad as part of enrichment weeks.
The house system sits central to pastoral organisation. Students earn house points for achievement and behaviour, and houses compete throughout the year. House tutors provide regular pastoral contact and support. A dedicated pastoral care team offers targeted intervention for students struggling emotionally or socially.
The school reports that most pupils feel safe, and Ofsted confirmed safeguarding procedures are in place. However, inspectors noted that while high-level bullying is rare and managed effectively, low-level name-calling remains an issue. The school acknowledges this and has identified behaviour and attendance as priorities for improvement.
School day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school is located on Farley Road in Much Wenlock, Shropshire (postcode TF13 6NB), approximately 10 miles from Shrewsbury. Much Wenlock is a small market town with limited public transport links; most students travel by car or school coaches. The school provides transport coordination through Shropshire's home-to-school transport arrangements. Parking is available at the site.
The school lunch service operates on an online payment system. School uniform is compulsory. Contact the school directly for information about uniform suppliers, lunch menus, and travel arrangements.
Recent Requires Improvement rating. The May 2024 Ofsted inspection identified significant concerns: inconsistent teaching quality, student disengagement in lessons, inadequate teacher response to students who opt out, and inconsistent assessment practices. While the sixth form was rated Good, the main school requires sustained improvement. Leadership has a clear plan, but families should be realistic about current challenges and the time needed for meaningful change.
Progress 8 score of -0.95 is a serious concern. This means students make significantly less progress than peers nationally with the same starting attainment. Families must weigh whether the school's trajectory and improvement plan is credible before committing.
Behaviour remains a focus area. Inspectors found behaviour and attitudes require improvement. While major incidents are rare, low-level disruption and disengagement affect learning in many lessons. This is particularly relevant for families whose children thrive in calm, highly structured environments.
Limited transport links. The rural Shropshire location means most families require car access. Public transport to the school is limited, which may affect the catchment and school journey for some families.
William Brookes School is a school in genuine transition. The £27 million rebuild and newly appointed head teacher signal commitment to improvement, and the sixth form demonstrates what good can look like within the same institution. However, families must acknowledge that the main school's May 2024 Requires Improvement rating reflects real challenges: uneven teaching quality, student disengagement, and below-average outcomes. The school is not failing, but it is struggling, and it requires time and evidence of impact before families can place full confidence in a recovery. Best suited to families who value the Olympic heritage, can commit to supporting their child's learning at home, and are willing to engage closely with the school during its improvement journey. The school is oversubscribed, which shows it retains community confidence, but prospective families should research the improvement plan carefully and consider their alternatives.
No, not at present. The school was rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in May 2024, with inspectors identifying inconsistent teaching quality, student disengagement, and below-average GCSE progress. However, the sixth form was rated Good, and the school has clear improvement priorities under new leadership. Families should consider the school's documented challenges alongside its recovery plan before applying.
GCSE performance is below national averages. Attainment 8 was 39.4 in 2024 (England average approximately 46), and only 8% achieved grades 5 or above in English Baccalaureate subjects (England average 40%). Progress 8 was -0.95, meaning students made less progress than expected from their starting points. The school ranks in the bottom 34% of secondary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking).
The school is oversubscribed. In the latest admissions cycle, there were 1.51 applications per place. The school uses distance as the main criterion after looked-after children and siblings. Admissions are coordinated through Shropshire Local Authority. Contact the local authority or school website for current distance data and open day information.
The sixth form is stronger than the main school. Ofsted rated sixth form provision as Good, highlighting a calm and purposeful environment. A-level grades show 4% A*, 10% A, and 27% B. One student secured a Cambridge place in 2024. The sixth form welcomes external candidates, and progression to university stands at 45% of leavers.
The school hosts The Edge Arts Centre, a professional 240-seat theatre, 98-seat studio, and 90-seat cinema available for student and community productions. Much Wenlock Leisure Centre (on-site) provides a swimming pool and 3G artificial grass pitch. The school offers Duke of Edinburgh Award, music ensembles, sports teams in rugby, football, hockey, and tennis, residential trips abroad, and enrichment week activities. Club details are being updated; contact the school for current offerings.
Yes, William Brookes School converted to academy status in June 2013 and joined The 3-18 Education Trust in April 2021. The trust is responsible for strategic oversight, but Shropshire Local Authority still coordinates admissions. The school is non-selective.
William Brookes School is named after William Penny Brookes, a 19th-century surgeon and educationalist who founded the Wenlock Olympian Games, which inspired the modern Olympic Games. The school is the only Coubertin school in Great Britain, designated since 1997 for its links to Olympic values. The school's values centre on respect, excellence, and friendship, and the house system reinforces these Olympic ideals.
Get in touch with the school directly
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