The Arthur Terry School Review 2026: Academic Strength and Community Spirit in Four Oaks

The Arthur Terry School stands as a prominent fixture in the Four Oaks area of Sutton Coldfield, enjoying a long-held reputation for academic stability and a strong community ethos. Serving over 1,400 students across the secondary and post-16 phases, it is a flagship school within the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP). The 2024 GCSE results place the school among the top 25% in England, maintaining its position as one of the most sought-after non-selective schools in Birmingham. Mixed in intake and mainstream in category, it manages to balance its significant scale with a pastoral system that ensures individual students do not get lost in the crowd.

The atmosphere at The Arthur Terry School is one of purposeful activity. Located in a leafy residential suburb, the school occupies a modern site that feels more like a college campus than a traditional secondary school. The glass-fronted reception and open-plan central hub area provide a light, contemporary environment that encourages social interaction between year groups.

Leadership has seen a recent transition with the appointment of Miss Joanne Fairclough as headteacher, who joined the school in Easter 2025. She succeeded Sam Kibble, who moved to a trust-level role after years of dedicated service. The school operates as the lead institution for the Arthur Terry National Teaching School Hub, which means it is frequently at the forefront of pedagogical research and teacher training. This professional environment filters down to the students, who are generally described as articulate, motivated, and proud of their school.

The school house system remains central to its identity. These houses provide the framework for competitions, charity fundraising, and pastoral support, helping to break down the large student body into smaller, more manageable communities where students can build vertical links across different age groups. The school's vision is encapsulated in the simple but effective motto: Be Proud; Be Kind; Be Ready.

The Arthur Terry School ranks 754th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 3rd among schools in Sutton Coldfield, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (national strong band). In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 54.1, which is significantly above the England average of 46.2.

The Progress 8 score of +0.11 indicates that students make progress slightly above the England average from their starting points. Furthermore, 39.3% of students achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), reflecting a strong commitment to core academic subjects compared to the England average of 24.3%.

At A-level, the school ranks 1270th in England and 3rd in Sutton Coldfield. Results reflect a solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). In 2024, 48.5% of students achieved grades A* to B, which is in line with the England average of 47.2% for this metric.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to offer both academic rigour and creative breadth. In the lower years, students follow a wide range of subjects including modern foreign languages, with all students in Year 10 expected to study a language as part of an ambitious EBacc-focused curriculum. The school status as a teaching hub ensures that classroom practices are evidence-based, with a strong emphasis on retrieval practice and metacognition.

In the Sixth Form, the offering is particularly extensive. Over 30 different courses are available, ranging from traditional A-levels in the sciences and humanities to vocational qualifications. Students benefit from a framework that encourages independent study skills and resilience, preparing them for the less structured environment of university or higher-level apprenticeships.

External assessments confirm that the curriculum is well-planned and subject leaders carefully sequence what students should learn in each year group. Teachers use strategies known as vulnerable first to ensure the needs of all students, including those with SEND, are met within the classroom environment.

Where Students Go Next

For the 2023 to 2024 leavers cohort, 61% of students progressed to university. The school has a consistent track record of placing students in competitive courses, particularly in STEM and healthcare. The elite university pipeline remains active, with one student securing a place at the University of Cambridge in the measurement period.

Beyond traditional university routes, the school has a notable strength in supporting alternative pathways. 11% of the cohort moved into apprenticeships, which is higher than many similar academic institutions. These include high-value placements with local engineering and professional services firms. Additionally, 16% of leavers entered direct employment, supported by the school's dedicated careers advisor and strong links with local businesses in the West Midlands.

The Arthur Terry School is consistently oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 1,404 applications for 270 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 5.07. This means there are more than five applications for every available place, making it one of the most competitive non-selective schools in the Birmingham Local Authority.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends. While the school does not publish a formal catchment map, the high volume of first-preference applications means that places are primarily allocated to siblings and those living in the immediate vicinity.

For Sixth Form entry, the school welcomes external applicants, though internal students who meet the entry requirements are given priority. General entry requirements typically involve a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Mathematics, with specific higher requirements for certain A-level subjects.

Pastoral care is organised through a tiered system of form tutors, Progress Leaders, and the house system. This layered approach ensures that multiple staff members are monitoring the wellbeing and academic progress of each student. The school employs a dedicated wellbeing team, including Student Support Officers who provide targeted intervention for vulnerable groups.

Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) is delivered through a spiral curriculum to all students, covering core themes of health, relationships, and living in the wider world. The school aims to offer a learning environment that consistently promotes positive mental health, with signposting to external agencies for students needing specialized support.

Extracurricular life is a major pillar of the school's identity. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is exceptionally popular, with enrolment open for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Fees for these awards range from £200 for Bronze to £300 for Gold, which covers the registration and administrative costs of the programme.

The STEM programme is another highlight, with regular participation in the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) challenges and student-led coding clubs. Science, Drama, and Food Technology departments often collaborate on workshops and presentations that extend learning beyond the standard timetable.

Sporting opportunities are extensive. The school utilizes its large playing fields and courts for a range of competitive fixtures in football, netball, rugby, and athletics. Annual highlights include the Year 10 work experience week, which takes place in June, and various theatre visits for drama students.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. Term dates for the 2025 to 2026 academic year begin on Monday 1 September 2025, with half-term breaks in October, February, and May. The spring term ends on 27 March 2026, and the summer term concludes on 17 July 2026.

Transport links are excellent. The school is a short walk from Butlers Lane railway station on the Cross-City Line, providing easy access for students travelling from Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, or Birmingham. Dedicated wraparound care details are not published on the official school site; families should contact the school office directly for the most up to date information on before and after-school clubs.

• Extreme oversubscription: With over five applications per place, securing a spot for a child who does not have a sibling at the school is exceptionally difficult for those living outside the immediate area. Families should evaluate other local options as part of their application strategy.
• Large school environment: With nearly 1,500 students, the school can feel busy and fast-paced. While the house system mitigates this, children who thrive in smaller, more intimate settings might find the scale of Arthur Terry somewhat overwhelming.
• Academic pressure: The school's strong performance and Teaching School Hub status create an environment of high expectations. While this drives results, it can lead to a pressured atmosphere during the exam seasons for GCSE and A-level students.

The Arthur Terry School remains a powerhouse of state education in the West Midlands, offering an academic experience that rivals many independent alternatives. It successfully combines high-attaining results with a diverse extracurricular programme and a forward-thinking approach to teaching. It is best suited to motivated students who are prepared to work hard and take advantage of the vast array of leadership opportunities on offer. For families in Sutton Coldfield, the main hurdle is not the quality of the education, but the difficulty of securing a place.