The Streetly Academy Review 2026: Sports & Character Focus

The Streetly Academy stands as a testament to the idea that high standards and true inclusivity are not mutually exclusive. Located on the edge of Sutton Coldfield, where the West Midlands conurbation meets open countryside, this large academy serves a diverse intake of over 1,350 students. It is distinct in the local landscape not just for its Good Ofsted rating (2022), but for its fierce commitment to "The Streetly Way"—a codified ethos that prioritises character as heavily as qualifications.

Demand for places is intense. In 2024, the school received nearly four applications for every seat (3.7 to be precise), a subscription rate that rivals the region's selective grammar schools. However, unlike its selective neighbours, Streetly does not skim the academic cream. Instead, it operates a Fair Banding system designed to ensure a comprehensive intake representing the full ability range. The result is a vibrant, mixed community where future medical students study alongside peers destined for vocational apprenticeships, united by a culture that demands "Pride in all we do".

At drop-off, the gates on Queslett Road East reveal a campus that feels purposeful and orderly. The architecture is a functional mix of mid-20th-century blocks and modern additions, notably the dedicated sports facilities that hint at the school’s specialist heritage. While the buildings are well-maintained, the true texture of the school comes from its culture rather than its bricks and mortar.

Mr Billy Downie, a National Leader of Education who has led the school for over a decade, is a prominent figure in the sector. Under his tenure, the school has moved from a traditional focus on outcomes to a broader, values-led approach. This ethos is built on the acronym PRIDE: Personal Excellence, Respect and Friendship, Inspiration, Determination and Courage, and Equality. Students speak fluently about these pillars, and behaviour policies are explicitly linked to them.

The school's history as a Specialist Sports College remains a defining pillar of its identity. This is not merely about fielding winning teams; it is about the transfer of sporting values—resilience, teamwork, and fair play—into the classroom. The physical presence of the sports centre, used by both the school and the community, reinforces the academy's role as a local hub. A unique feature is the "Streetly Mile", where students participate in a mile-long run or walk twice a week, embedding physical wellbeing into the weekly routine.

Academic performance at The Streetly Academy is solid and reliable, delivering outcomes that allow students to progress to their chosen futures.

In 2024, the school’s GCSE results placed it in the national typical band, reflecting performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. The school ranked 2,137th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 7th locally in Sutton Coldfield. The average Attainment 8 score was 44.5, which sits just below the England average of 45.9.

The Progress 8 score of -0.05 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with national expectations from their starting points at primary school. Notably, 16.1% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at Grade 5 or above. While this is lower than the England average, it often reflects a curriculum choice to allow students freedom to pursue non-EBacc subjects like sports, arts, and technology, rather than a lack of academic rigour.

The Sixth Form performs consistently well. In 2024, the academy ranked 1,558th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). The published figures suggest that 43% of grades were A*-B. While this is slightly below the England average of 47%, it represents a robust performance for a comprehensive intake.

The curriculum at Streetly is designed to be broad rather than purely academic. Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) retains the full breadth of subjects, resisting the trend to shorten this phase to two years. This decision allows departments like Art, Music, and Drama the time to develop skills rather than just rushing towards exam content.

In the classroom, teaching follows a structured, explicit instruction model. Lessons typically begin with activities to retrieve prior knowledge, followed by clear teacher exposition and guided practice. This consistency helps students know what to expect in every subject, reducing cognitive load and allowing them to focus on the content.

The school’s approach to literacy is particularly rigorous. Recognising that vocabulary is the key to accessing the curriculum, there is a whole-school focus on "Tier 2" and "Tier 3" vocabulary—academic words that students might not encounter in daily conversation.

The destinations data for The Streetly Academy paints a picture of a school that supports diverse aspirations. In 2024, 48% of leavers progressed to university. While this is slightly lower than some neighbouring schools, it must be viewed alongside the exceptional apprenticeship figures.

12% of students secured apprenticeships, a figure significantly higher than the national average. This reflects the school’s strong links with local industry and its careers advice provision, which treats vocational routes with the same esteem as academic ones. Students regularly secure competitive degree apprenticeships with major engineering and finance firms in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

For those heading to university, the Russell Group remains a key target. Employment entry stands at 25%, indicating that a quarter of students move directly into the workforce. The school prepares these students with mock interview days, CV workshops, and work experience placements in Year 10 and Year 12.

Admission to The Streetly Academy is unique in the local area due to its use of Fair Banding.

The Fair Banding System

Unlike standard comprehensive schools that admit purely on distance, or grammar schools that select by ability, Streetly requires all applicants to sit a Fair Banding Assessment. This test, typically held in October of Year 6, places students into one of five ability bands based on their score.

The school then admits an equal number of students from each of the five bands. This ensures the school remains truly comprehensive, with a balanced intake of high, middle, and low prior attainers. If a specific band is oversubscribed (which happens in almost all bands), places within that band are allocated based on distance from the school.

Demand and Catchment

The school is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 960 applications for roughly 260 places, a ratio of 3.7 applications per place. This makes it one of the most popular schools in the borough.

Families must apply via their home Local Authority (usually Walsall or Birmingham) by 31 October, and register their child for the Fair Banding test directly with the school earlier in the autumn term. Missing the separate test registration effectively removes a child's chance of a place.

Pastoral care is arguably the jewel in Streetly’s crown. The school has received national recognition for its mental health work. The pastoral structure is built around Year Groups, with non-teaching Heads of Year who are available throughout the day to deal with issues, rather than being tied up in classrooms.

This structure means that if a student has a crisis at 10am, there is a dedicated professional available to support them immediately. The school employs its own counsellors and has close links with external agencies, ensuring that waiting times for support are minimised.

The extracurricular offer at Streetly is extensive, underpinned by its sports specialism but by no means limited to it.

Sport

Sport remains a major pillar of school life. The facilities include a swimming pool, a large sports hall, dance studios, and extensive playing fields including a floodlit 3G pitch. The academy fields teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics, competing at district and county levels. Participation is high, and the "Sport for All" philosophy ensures that B and C teams get fixture opportunities.

The Arts

Music and Drama are vibrant. The school puts on a major annual production—recent shows have included Grease and Little Shop of Horrors—which involves over 100 students in cast, crew, and band roles. The Music department runs several ensembles, including a choir and a soul band that performs locally.

Enrichment

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, with high uptake. The "Period 6" programme offers after-school clubs ranging from STEM and coding to debating and cooking.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:20pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays, the day finishes earlier at 2:55pm.

Parents should note that while the school is an academy, it coordinates admissions through Walsall Council. However, due to its location, it draws significantly from the Birmingham Local Authority border. Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a black blazer with the school badge, white shirt, school tie, and black trousers or skirt.

The Banding Test is mandatory. To be considered for a place, your child must sit the Fair Banding Assessment. Missing this test usually places an application at the bottom of the pile. Families must register for this separately from the Local Authority application.

It is a large school. With over 1,350 students, the environment is busy and can be loud during transition times. While the pastoral care is excellent, quiet or very anxious children may initially find the scale of the campus daunting.

Mixed ability grouping. While some subjects are set by ability (Maths, Science), many subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups, especially in Key Stage 3. Parents who prefer rigid streaming from day one should be aware of this inclusive approach.

Strict mobile phone policy. The school operates a "see it, hear it, lose it" policy regarding mobile phones. They must be off and away in bags all day. This is strictly enforced to protect student wellbeing and focus.

The Streetly Academy offers a compelling alternative to both the local grammar schools and standard comprehensives. It combines the pastoral warmth of a community school with the high expectations of a selective one. The Fair Banding system ensures a socially and academically diverse intake, creating a real-world environment where students learn to get along with people from all walks of life. Best suited to families who value a rounded education where character development and mental health sit equal to academic grades, and who want their child to be part of a busy, active, and disciplined community. The main challenge is securing a place in such a heavily oversubscribed school.