Alderbrook School

Ambition, Bravery, Kindness: these three values, abbreviated to ABK, define the culture at Alderbrook School. Situated in the leafy suburb of Blossomfield in Solihull, this 1,650-pupil comprehensive has evolved considerably since its formation in 1974 from the merger of Harold Malley Boys' and Harold Cartwright Girls' Grammar Schools. Academy conversion in 2011 and the opening of a sixth form in 2015 have transformed it into a sought-after all-through secondary with results that outperform most schools in England. The 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school remains Good across all areas, with inspectors noting that pupils display values of inclusion and fairness.

The school occupies a spacious site on Blossomfield Road, sharing grounds with Tudor Grange Academy and St Peter's Catholic School. Named buildings recall the school's heritage: facilities bear the names Malley and Cartwright in honour of the predecessor institutions. The Edge complex, built with support from the Solihull Society of Arts partnership formed in 2002, houses performing arts facilities including the Gantry Theatre and dedicated rehearsal spaces.

Tom Beveridge has led the school since April 2020, following Janette Smith's tenure. His leadership team includes two deputy headteachers and a dedicated assistant headteacher for each year group, creating a pastoral structure where every cohort has a named senior leader responsible for their progress and wellbeing. This vertical organisation ensures no pupil falls through the cracks.

The atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured. Behaviour is usually good, and pupils demonstrate the values of inclusion and fairness that the school promotes. Teachers have secure subject knowledge, and leaders are committed to staff professional development. The comprehensive literacy policy introduced by leadership has improved reading across the curriculum.

The student body of approximately 1,650 pupils, including around 250 in the sixth form, creates a school large enough to offer breadth of opportunity but structured to provide individual attention through the year-based pastoral system.

GCSE Results

Academic outcomes place Alderbrook among the stronger performing schools in England. The average Attainment 8 score of 53.9 sits well above the England average, while 31% of all GCSE grades achieved were at grades 9 to 7. Nearly one in five grades reached the very top at grades 9 to 8. The school ranks 1,000th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England. Locally, Alderbrook ranks 4th among secondary schools in Solihull.

The Progress 8 score of +0.45 demonstrates that pupils make substantially above average progress from their starting points. This value-added measure indicates that students at Alderbrook achieve nearly half a grade better across eight subjects than would be expected based on their prior attainment. The EBacc average point score of 4.62 also exceeds the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Results

The sixth form delivers equally strong outcomes. At A-level, 67.6% of grades achieved A* to B, compared to the England average of 47.2%. More than a third of grades, 37.6%, reached A* or A. The school ranks 457th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), sitting within the top 18% of sixth forms in England. Among Solihull providers, Alderbrook ranks 3rd.

In 2025, 22 students earned A or A* grades across at least three A-level subjects. Three students achieved perfect A* grades in all their subjects: Logan, Lily, and Abbie. Five additional students earned two A* grades and one A grade.

Combined Performance

The combined GCSE and A-level England rank of 462 (FindMySchool composite ranking) reflects consistently strong performance across both phases. This places Alderbrook among the highest-performing comprehensive schools in the West Midlands.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, supporting pupil progress across all subjects. Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge, and lessons are well-planned to build on prior learning. The 2023 Ofsted inspection noted that leaders have introduced a comprehensive literacy policy that supports reading development across subjects.

A-levels are taught by specialists in small groups, with the school emphasising that these qualifications require greater independent learning than GCSEs. Students typically take three A-levels plus AS Core Maths or the Extended Project Qualification. Particularly able students may pursue four full A-levels. The smaller than average class sizes in sixth form allow for more individual attention and detailed feedback.

The Alderbrook ARC provides specialist support for pupils with additional needs, with the SENCO leading a dedicated team. While the school serves a mainstream population, the special classes provision flag indicates capacity to support pupils requiring additional intervention.

University progression is strong. In the 2023/24 cohort of 106 leavers, 68% progressed to university. A further 8% entered apprenticeships, 16% moved directly into employment, and 1% continued in further education. These varied pathways reflect the school's commitment to supporting all post-18 routes, not just traditional academic progression.

Russell Group destinations feature prominently among university leavers. Recent cohorts have secured places at Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Exeter, UCL, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Warwick. In the measurement period, five students applied to Oxbridge, resulting in one Cambridge acceptance, with that student going on to study Mathematics.

Notable individual achievements in 2024 included Alex, who achieved two A* grades and two A grades, passed the Sixth Term Examination Papers, and secured a place at Cambridge to read Mathematics. Chung achieved three A* grades and one A grade before joining the University of Warwick for Mathematics. In 2025, Abbie became the first Alderbrook student to pursue Veterinary Science, winning a place at the University of Nottingham.

The full-time Careers Coordinator provides unbiased guidance on all post-18 options. The 2023 inspection confirmed that all students receive high quality careers guidance, supporting informed decision-making whether the destination is university, apprenticeship, or employment.

Solihull Council serves as the admissions authority for Alderbrook School. Year 7 entry is heavily oversubscribed: with 1,378 applications for 267 places in recent data, the school receives more than five applications for every available place. This subscription proportion of 5.16 makes Alderbrook one of the most sought-after comprehensives in the West Midlands.

Children normally living in the school's catchment area receive priority. Within distance criteria, priority goes to those living closest to the school, measured in a straight line from the child's home. The catchment map is available from Solihull Council. Living within catchment does not guarantee a place; in some recent years, children have not been offered places at their catchment school due to exceptional demand.

Families outside Solihull will not qualify for catchment priority, though applications are assessed against other criteria. Attending a Solihull primary school provides no additional priority for secondary admission. For September 2026 entry, allocation decisions will be communicated on 2 March 2026. Unsuccessful applicants have the right to appeal to an independent panel.

Sixth Form Entry

The sixth form welcomes both internal and external applicants, reserving at least 30 places for external students who meet entry requirements. The capacity of 250 students, or 125 per year group, creates a focused post-16 environment within the larger school.

Entry requires five GCSEs at grades 9 to 5 including English and Mathematics. Individual A-level subjects have specific grade requirements detailed in the school's entry requirements document. Applications for September 2026 entry close on Friday 9 January. Following application, candidates are invited to a guidance meeting with the sixth form team, after which conditional offers are issued.

On GCSE results day, students meeting requirements can register their interest to enrol. Internal students attend between 9am and 12pm; external students between 1pm and 3pm. Where courses are oversubscribed, priority goes to those achieving the highest grades.

Pupils' wellbeing sits at the forefront of leaders' vision. The pastoral structure assigns each year group a dedicated assistant headteacher, creating clear accountability for student progress and welfare. Year 7 falls under Emma Jones; Year 8 under Martin McLoughlin; Year 9 under Michael Wade; Year 10 under Tom Coggan; and Year 11 under Ama Thandi. The sixth form has Can Ogan as assistant headteacher, supported by Frankie Bryan as Head of Sixth Form and dedicated heads of year for both Year 12 and Year 13.

Every sixth form student receives a personal tutor. The Learning and Wellbeing Manager provides additional support, and the 16-19 Bursary offers financial help to students facing hardship.

The SENCO, Kerry Thompson-Moore, coordinates support for pupils with additional needs through the Alderbrook ARC. The 2023 inspection noted that leaders need to build more positive relationships with some parents of pupils with complex needs, an area the school continues to develop.

The extracurricular programme reflects the school's motto: ambition, bravery, kindness find expression through activities spanning performance, sport, and service. A dedicated social media account, @ABKclubs, keeps students informed of opportunities, with daily announcements during form time supplementing online updates.

Music and Performance

Music lies at the heart of school life. The department ensures every student accesses instruments during their time at Alderbrook. Ensembles include Orchestra, Choir, Rock and Pop bands, and a Stage Band supporting annual productions. Practice rooms allow rehearsal outside lessons, and students may form their own bands with teacher permission.

Peripatetic lessons through Solihull Music offer tuition in brass, drums, guitar, keyboard, piano, violin, vocals, and woodwind. Weekly 20-minute lessons rotate to minimise curriculum disruption. Termly concerts and lunchtime performances showcase student talent, while the annual production, created jointly by Music, Dance, and Drama departments, represents a highlight of the school calendar.

The Arts Award qualification provides formal recognition for musical achievement. Trips extend learning beyond school: recent visits include Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the Cavern Club in Liverpool, Abbey Road Studios, and the Royal Albert Hall. Annual London theatre trips feature West End shows including Wicked and Matilda. International music tours have visited Belgium in February 2025 and Paris in 2023.

Drama and Theatre

The Gantry Theatre provides a flexible performance space equipped with stage lighting, sound reinforcement, projection facilities, and Q-Build staging. A raised walkway accommodates production crews. The Malley Theatre offers a second venue, with a refreshment area serving audiences during performances.

Alderbrook Productions represents the school's flagship theatrical offering. The partnership with Solihull Society of Arts, formed in 2002 to support the school's Arts College bid, continues to enrich provision. The Edge complex, funded partly through this partnership, houses performance and rehearsal spaces.

Sport

The William Sedgwick Sports Hall provides a modern indoor venue with linoleum flooring suitable for football, cricket, netball, basketball, and badminton. The Cartwright Gym offers a traditional wooden sprung floor for indoor activities, with changing facilities available. The Blue Room within the sports hall accommodates dance, yoga, fitness classes, and drama rehearsals.

STEM

The school maintains dedicated science facilities with specialist teaching spaces. Students can pursue the Extended Project Qualification alongside their A-levels, allowing extended research in scientific or other academic areas.

Enrichment

Duke of Edinburgh Awards run to Gold level, with sixth form students particularly engaged. International trips have included visits to Berlin and Bruges. Public speaking opportunities and competition entries, including Bank of England film competitions, develop skills beyond the classroom. Scholarship support exists for students pursuing overseas study opportunities.

The school day begins at 8:30am, with clubs typically starting at 3:10pm. The school operates 32.5 hours per week of teaching time. Most extracurricular activities do not run year-round; the schedule updates regularly with new opportunities added throughout the year.

The sixth form benefits from dedicated facilities including a cafe, silent study room, discussion room, learning resource centre, ICT suite, and exclusive outdoor area. A dress code based on business attire applies to post-16 students.

Transport links serve the Blossomfield Road location, with the school accessible from central Solihull. Families should note that Alderbrook shares its grounds with Tudor Grange Academy and St Peter's Catholic School.

Intense competition for places. With more than five applications for every Year 7 place, securing entry requires living within the catchment area and even then cannot be guaranteed. In recent years, some catchment families have not received offers. Families should verify their distance from the school before relying on a place here.

No catchment priority for external students. Families living outside Solihull will not qualify for catchment priority. Attending a Solihull primary school provides no advantage in secondary admissions.

Variable achievement across subjects. The 2023 inspection noted some inconsistency in how pupils achieve in different subjects. While overall outcomes are strong, performance varies by department.

SEN communication. Inspectors identified that leaders need to strengthen relationships with some parents of pupils with complex needs. Families of children with additional needs should engage early with the SENCO to understand available support.

Alderbrook delivers comprehensive education at a level that rivals many selective schools. Strong GCSE results, with pupils achieving nearly half a grade higher than expected, combine with sixth form outcomes that place the school in the top 18% in England. The breadth of extracurricular provision, from orchestral music to Duke of Edinburgh, ensures students find activities that develop their talents.

Best suited to families within the Solihull catchment who want an ambitious, well-structured comprehensive with genuine sixth form progression to Russell Group universities. The main challenge remains securing a place: with over five applications per place, proximity to Blossomfield Road is effectively a prerequisite. For those who gain entry, the education and opportunities are exceptional.