Alleyne's Academy Review 2026: Stone's Four-Centuries School

Since 1558, when Thomas Alleyne left money to establish schools in three towns, this institution has stood at the heart of Stone's educational landscape. Over four and a half centuries later, the academy sits on its current site at Oulton Cross, gifted by Mary Forester in 1889. This comprehensive, mixed secondary school with sixth form serves 881 students aged 13 to 18 and holds the distinction of being ranked in the middle 35% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on 2024 data). The academy functions as a state school with no tuition fees, making quality secondary education accessible to local families. Recent Ofsted monitoring in May 2025 confirmed the school has maintained the standards identified at its previous Good rating in December 2019.

Alleyne's Academy cuts an imposing figure above Stone, overlooking the town from its elevated position on Oulton Road. The blend of Victorian heritage and modern extensions creates a campus that feels established yet active. The school's size of around 880 students means it avoids the anonymity of larger institutions while maintaining the breadth of a comprehensive provision.

Students describe themselves as genuinely happy here. This emerges from the school's deliberate construction of what it calls inclusion and opportunity, a value system that appears integral to how relationships are built. Behaviour is typically strong both in lessons and during social times, reflecting what inspectors noted as high expectations that staff work to uphold consistently. The atmosphere contains a balance between academic rigour and pastoral care, with staff described as skillful in their support.

The school has invested considerably in creating memorable experiences beyond the classroom. Students speak highly of extended trips including battlefields visits to research former pupils who fought in past wars, educational journeys to Iceland and New York, and visits to Chester and local attractions. This pattern of investing in pupil experiences signals a school that views education broadly, not narrowly focused on examination outcomes alone.

GCSE Performance

Attainment 8 (a measure of overall GCSE achievement across eight subjects) stands at 46.3, which represents performance slightly above the England average of 45.9. This narrow difference is significant; it shows the school achieves results in line with the national benchmark. The school ranks 2,495th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% nationally and first locally among maintained secondary schools in Stone.

Progress 8 (which measures progress from primary to secondary) shows a score of 0.06, indicating students make marginally above-average progress given their starting points. This suggests the school adds measurable value for its cohorts, though improvement remains a focus area. The school is working actively with feeder middle schools to increase uptake of the English Baccalaureate suite of qualifications, reflecting ambition to broaden the curriculum offer.

Assessment & Support for Learning

The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and disabilities with precision and provides targeted support. Reading difficulties are identified promptly, with effective intervention put in place. The 'Headspace' provision, a support programme for pupils struggling to meet behaviour expectations, is spoken of highly by students who access it, suggesting pastoral innovation beyond standard provision.

Sixth Form Results

The sixth form serves 163 students from across the school and beyond. At A-level, performance shows 47% of grades achieved at A*-B, slightly above the England average of 47%. The school achieved an average grade of C at A-level in 2024, matching the national average, while Applied General (vocational) students achieved an average grade of Distinction-, which sits above the 2024 national Merit+ standard.

The sixth form ranks 1,304th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 50% nationally. A broad curriculum is offered including art, psychology, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, design & technology, drama, English language and literature, French, geography, health & social care, history, IT, mathematics, music, applied sport, physics, religious education, and further mathematics. This breadth allows students to tailor programmes to their interests and university ambitions.

The curriculum is planned sequentially across Year 9 to 11, embedding knowledge whilst increasing challenge progressively. Teachers are described as subject specialists who frame learning around career applications and real-world relevance. Inspectors noted that most of the time, teaching includes effective checks to see if pupils understand their learning, though they identified scope for more consistent precision in identifying and closing gaps in misconceptions across all subjects.

The school has reviewed its curriculum recently and continues to refine provision. Drama and music are offered as GCSEs and A-levels, with music described as encouraging creativity in performance, composition, and appraisal. The Connect Programme (the school's personal development curriculum) ensures pupils understand how to stay healthy and are prepared for modern British life.

University Destinations

In 2024, 63% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, 8% entered apprenticeships, 16% moved into employment, and 1% into further education. For those selecting university, the school records that 33% of university-bound students secured places at Russell Group institutions, indicating strong progression to selective universities. Notable destinations mentioned on the school website include prestigious courses such as English Language at Edinburgh University and Medicine at Liverpool, alongside places across the Russell Group sector.

The school supports sixth form students well to access high-quality destinations through dedicated careers guidance and university visits. Work experience is embedded, and students benefit from visits by external speakers from business, education, and enterprise sectors. This structured approach to career readiness ensures students leave with clear next steps and informed choices.

From Year 11

The majority of Year 11 pupils progress to the sixth form or other post-16 providers. The school works alongside its feeder middle schools and supports families to understand secondary progression. Transfer from the feeder schools ensures continuity in core subjects.

Extracurricular provision is a genuine strength of the school, with students described by inspectors as speaking "very highly of the range of opportunities". The school has deliberately constructed a portfolio of activities that balance competitive achievement with participation.

Drama & Performance

The Dove Studio stands as a specialist drama facility, newly refurbished with a black-out system, sound dampening, lighting rig controlled from a professional Strand lighting desk, and stage blocks for flexible configurations. The main theatre, part of the school building itself, provides 200 seats with a raised stage and raked seating, equipped with recently refurbished sound and lighting control systems and a loop system for audience members with hearing difficulties. The Drama Society produces the school's annual Christmas production (Cinderella was staged recently), and drama is offered as both GCSE and A-level. The facility quality indicates serious institutional commitment to drama as pedagogy and art form, not afterthought provision.

Sport & Active Recreation

The 25-metre Sports Centre, built in the 1970s alongside a theatre and classroom block, houses multiple courts and serves as the hub for physical education. An astro pitch (currently undergoing redevelopment to a 3G pitch to FIFA specifications) accommodates football, hockey, netball, and other sports. Pupils describe particularly valuing the extensive sporting activities available, which the school ensures cater to both competitive athletes and recreational participants. Outdoor courts include tennis facilities now being resurfaced to accommodate tennis, netball, and paddel tennis. The partnership with Stone Old Alleynians Football Club, historically the school's former pupils' club (established 1962), represents a pathway linking school sport to community participation.

Leadership & Service

The School Council provides pupils with genuine voice in school decisions, with students describing their voices as mattering. House scores and activities build community within the school vertical structure. Duke of Edinburgh's Award runs as an enrichment pathway, offering young people structured personal development and expedition experience. Young Enterprise in the sixth form engages students in starting and running a business, with roles including managing director, finance director, operations director, marketing director, and HR director. This programme reaches a Grand Final in London for successful teams, providing authentic enterprise experience.

Other Clubs & Programmes

Racing car opportunities engage students in hands-on engineering through work on vehicles. A sustainable fashion project connects creativity with environmental responsibility. The library, recently reinstated after a community fundraising campaign, functions as a learning commons. The school was recognised by the Gallipoli Association for student engagement in historical research and contemporary reflection, with Year 10 pupils creating a Gallipoli-themed mosaic displayed in the school. Connect Programme enrichment offers students university visits, cultural experiences, residentials, and leadership roles.

Alleyne's Academy admits students at Year 9 (age 13-14) and Year 12 (age 16-17). The school is non-selective, serving as a comprehensive secondary serving all abilities in its catchment area. Applications are coordinated by Staffordshire County Council through their normal admissions process. The school has a defined catchment area, with sibling priority and looked-after children receiving first consideration. Use the FindMySchoolMap tool to verify your address against the catchment boundary.

Sixth form entry does not require residence in the catchment. The school asks all sixth form applicants to meet minimum GCSE achievement (typically 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above), with individual subject requirements dependent on A-level choice. The school website provides full entry requirements for prospective sixth formers; contact admissions directly for any queries.

School Hours

8:50am to 3:20pm. The school day is structured with registration in the morning and afternoon sessions divided into taught periods.

Transport

Stone railway station lies within walking distance (approximately 15-20 minutes). Regular bus services connect the school from Stafford and Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent. The school is located above the town, accessed via Oulton Road; driving routes wind steeply from the main roads. Parking is available on-site. Parents should note that Stone operates a hilly geography, so walking from the station involves ascent.

Facilities for Students

A recently installed library serves the school community. The school uses online platforms including Satchel:one for parent communication about attendance and homework. ParentPay manages lunch accounts and trip payments.

Wrap-Around Care

No before or after-school care is mentioned in school publications for main school pupils. Sixth form students typically manage independent travel. Families requiring childcare outside school hours should make private arrangements.

The school has a structured approach to pastoral support. The Connect Programme runs throughout the year, providing education in health, relationships, safety, and modern Britain. Form tutors know pupils individually; the school explicitly values this relationship. The Headspace provision offers targeted support for pupils struggling emotionally or behaviourally, and students value this intervention highly.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, confirmed by the May 2025 Ofsted monitoring inspection. The school works extensively in the local community, with clear partnerships supporting pupil welfare.

State School, No Fees: This is a state-funded school. There are no tuition fees, making secondary education here free to all residents in the catchment. Some costs apply (uniform, trips, music lessons if selected), but these are optional extras rather than compulsory charges.

Catchment Restricted: Entry at Year 9 (main entry) is primarily for students living in the defined catchment area. If your address is outside the boundary, applying for a place would rely on there being spaces after catchment pupils are admitted, which is unlikely given the school's popularity. Always verify your postcode against the school's published catchment before planning relocation. The last distance offered for places is not published in the information available, so families should contact the school or the local authority directly for current catchment details. Sixth form entry is not catchment restricted but has GCSE grade requirements.

Ofsted Area for Development: The school's new behaviour policy, introduced recently, is still being bedded in and applied inconsistently by staff. While the intent is strong (high expectations for all students), consistency of application affects some pupils. The school is tracking impact and working to achieve uniform staff understanding. Families should observe how behaviour support feels during school visits.

Assessment Precision: Inspectors noted that whilst teaching is generally strong, assessment is not always precise enough to identify and close individual misconceptions in all subjects. Some students may therefore have learning gaps that aren't immediately addressed. This is an area the school is actively improving but worth bearing in mind if your child needs rapid identification of misunderstanding and targeted catch-up.

Alleyne's Academy delivers solid comprehensive education in a school that feels purposeful about inclusion and opportunity. The heritage is real (over 460 years of continuous operation from the same site), but so is the investment in modern facilities and contemporary thinking. Results sit at the national average with evidence of value added, meaning the school successfully supports progress for its cohort. The breadth of curriculum, quality of drama and sports facilities, and structured enrichment (Duke of Edinburgh, Young Enterprise, racing car projects) provide genuine opportunities beyond the classroom.

Best suited to families in the Stone catchment area who want a mixed-ability secondary with strong pastoral care, extended trip opportunities, and specialist facilities in drama and sport. The school works hard for all abilities and has support systems in place for those who need them. Entry is straightforward if you're in catchment, but families outside will find it difficult to secure places. For students seeking a supportive environment that balances academic expectations with broader personal development, this is a real option.