Walsall Academy: Comprehensive State Secondary with Strong Sixth Form Progression

Built on the site of the former T. P. Riley Comprehensive School at a cost of £23 million, Walsall Academy opened in September 2003 as one of England's early City Academies. Today it serves approximately 1,400 students aged 11 to 18, with around 320 in the sixth form. Part of the Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust, the academy sits on Lichfield Road in Bloxwich, offering a broad curriculum that spans traditional A-levels, BTECs, and an established T-level programme. The school was rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in 2022, though notably the sixth form provision was judged Good.

Walsall Academy operates as a welcoming school where pupils get along with one another. They respect the individual differences of their peers and treat each other fairly. Pupils enjoy school and work hard, responding to leaders' expectations that they achieve well. The campus features purpose-built facilities designed to support modern learning, including electronic whiteboards in every teaching area.

The school's culture emphasises inclusion and mutual respect. Behaviour is typically positive, and leaders deal effectively with any incidents of bullying or derogatory language. This creates an environment where students from varied backgrounds can focus on their studies without significant disruption.

Under the stewardship of the Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust, the academy benefits from established governance structures and shared expertise across the trust's network of schools. The trust, which takes its name from the renowned civil engineer, brings a focus on practical outcomes and student progression that aligns with the academy's vocational offerings.

GCSE Performance

At GCSE, Walsall Academy's results sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. The school ranks 2,214th in England for GCSE outcomes and 10th among secondary schools in Walsall (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). The average Attainment 8 score of 43.7 points reflects solid performance, while the Progress 8 score of -0.09 indicates students make broadly average progress from their starting points.

The EBacc average point score of 3.85 falls slightly below the England average of 4.08, and 16.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above across the EBacc subjects. These figures reflect the academy's balanced approach between academic and vocational pathways, with many students pursuing BTEC qualifications alongside core subjects.

A-Level and Post-16 Outcomes

The sixth form demonstrates stronger relative performance. Ranked 1,427th in England for A-level outcomes and 5th in Walsall (FindMySchool ranking), results place the provision in the middle 35% of sixth forms nationally. Nearly half of A-level entries achieved A* to B grades (47.2%), with 15.3% at A*/A. The proportion achieving A* stands at 4%, while 11.3% achieved grade A.

Ofsted specifically praised the sixth form, noting that students benefit from a high-quality curriculum offer and that staff's strong subject knowledge helps students to achieve well.

Teaching follows structured approaches, with electronic whiteboards in every classroom supporting interactive delivery. Staff possess strong subject knowledge that enables them to explain complex concepts clearly and prepare students effectively for examinations.

However, the 2022 Ofsted inspection identified curriculum design as the area requiring improvement. Inspectors found that some subject leaders had not clearly identified the key knowledge pupils are expected to learn. More significantly, Key Stage 3 pupils do not study the full range of subjects to the end of Year 9, which means they do not gain sufficient depth of knowledge in subjects they have not chosen for GCSE.

Leaders have been working to address these concerns, ensuring clearer curriculum sequencing and better identification of essential knowledge. The expectation remains that all students should achieve well, with teaching designed to support this ambition.

In 2024, 70% of Year 13 students progressed to higher education, an impressive outcome for a school serving a mixed-ability intake. Notably, 27% of these leavers secured places at Russell Group universities, demonstrating that academic success at the highest levels is achievable here.

The most striking outcome from 2024 was the Head Boy's achievement of A*/A/A in Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, securing a place to study Medicine at Queen's College, Oxford. Another student achieved straight A grades in the same three subjects and progressed to study Medicine at the University of Bristol. These destinations evidence that motivated students can reach the most competitive courses.

In total, 61% of the 2024 leaver cohort (141 students) progressed to university, with 9% entering apprenticeships, 3% further education, and 18% employment. The spread of destinations reflects the academy's comprehensive approach, preparing students for varied pathways rather than focusing exclusively on university entry.

The dedicated careers team has grown in capacity and expanded its service to guide students onto university courses, apprenticeship schemes, further training and into the world of work.

Walsall Academy is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 740 applications for 204 Year 7 places, a ratio of approximately 3.6 applications per place. This demand reflects the academy's reputation locally as a school that balances academic rigour with practical pathways.

Admissions are coordinated through Walsall Council. After children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, oversubscription criteria apply. The school does not currently have vacancies in any year group for in-year admissions.

For Year 7 applications, parents should apply through the standard coordinated admissions process, with the deadline of 31 October for the following September entry.

Sixth Form Entry

External students are welcome to apply for the sixth form. Entry requirements vary by course, with A-level subjects typically requiring grade 5 or above in relevant GCSEs. Students can choose from three or four A-levels, BTEC programmes, or a combination of academic and vocational qualifications.

Walsall Academy holds a Year 11 Information Evening in October each year (1 October 2025 for September 2026 entry) where prospective sixth form students and their families can learn about courses and entry requirements. Applications should be directed to Mrs Sandhu, Admissions Admin, on 01922 493910 or admissions@walsallacademy.com.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection rated Behaviour and Attitudes as Good. Pupils typically behave well and respect individual differences. When behaviour does fall short of expectations, leaders respond quickly. Safeguarding is prioritised, with pupils' safety considered a priority by the leadership team.

Leaders deal effectively with any incidents of bullying or derogatory language. The school's ethos promotes fairness and respect, creating conditions where students feel secure enough to focus on learning. The personal tutorial slot built into the daily timetable (11:30am to 11:50am) provides regular opportunities for pastoral support and guidance.

Personal Development was also rated Good by Ofsted, reflecting the academy's work to prepare students for life beyond school through character education, careers guidance, and broader enrichment.

Extracurricular Programme

Session 3 activities run from 3:30pm to 5:00pm daily, offering students opportunities to progress in both academic subjects and non-academic areas. The programme changes termly to provide variety. For Autumn Term 2024, activities started on Tuesday 4 November 2024.

Facilities

The purpose-built campus features facilities designed to support diverse learning:

The Music Technology suite enables students to develop production and composition skills using industry-standard software. The Theatre with tiered seating hosts performances and assemblies, while the dedicated Dance and Drama studio provides space for creative expression. The CAD/CAM suite supports design and technology projects, and Open Plan Learning Bases encourage collaborative work.

Sports provision includes a Sports Hall and Playing Fields, with the academy signposting students to local sports clubs including Bloxwich Cricket Club, Pelsall Cricket Club, Essington Harriers Running Club, and various boxing and martial arts clubs.

The Library and Careers Centre supports independent study and post-16 planning, while Independent Learning Centres provide quiet spaces for focused work. The Conference Centre is available for external hire, connecting the academy to its wider community.

The school day begins at 8:30am, with students expected to arrive on site between 8:10am and 8:15am, and no later than 8:25am. Session 1 runs from 8:30am to 11:30am (including breakfast), followed by Personal Tutorial from 11:30am to 11:50am.

Session 2 (including lunch) runs from 11:50am with staggered finish times: Year 7 and 8 finish at 3:10pm; Year 9 and 10 finish at 3:15pm; Year 11 and Sixth Form finish at 3:20pm.

Session 3 enrichment activities run from 3:30pm to 5:00pm for those participating.

The academy is located on Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3LX, accessible by bus routes serving the Bloxwich area.

The Sixth Form at Walsall Academy caters to approximately 320 students across Years 12 and 13. The curriculum builds on learning from the lower school but develops into more diverse courses ranging from facilitating A-level subjects to accredited professional qualifications with technical and industrial emphasis.

Curriculum Offer

Students can choose from:

A-Levels: A range of facilitating subjects including Mathematics, the sciences, English, and humanities. Students typically take three or four A-levels.

BTEC Qualifications: A full suite including Travel and Tourism, Health and Social Care, Sport, and Business.

T-Levels: The academy was an early adopter of T-levels and now offers established programmes in Management and Administration, Health, and Education and Early Years. The first pioneering T-level cohort all passed their courses, with two-thirds performing at Merit standard.

Achievement and Progression

Ofsted confirmed that students in the sixth form benefit from a high-quality curriculum offer. Staff's strong subject knowledge helps students to achieve well, with the provision rated Good overall.

The 2024 cohort achieved strong outcomes, with 27% of university-bound students attending Russell Group institutions. Notable individual achievements included Oxbridge success in Medicine, demonstrating that the highest aspirations are achievable for dedicated students.

Curriculum breadth at Key Stage 3. The 2022 Ofsted inspection found that Key Stage 3 pupils do not study the full range of subjects to the end of Year 9. This means students may not develop sufficient depth in subjects they do not choose for GCSE. Parents valuing broad curriculum exposure through Year 9 should investigate current provision.

Requires Improvement status. The school's overall Ofsted rating reflects concerns about curriculum design, though leadership, sixth form, behaviour, and personal development were all judged Good. The school may be re-inspected within 30 months of the November 2022 report.

Strong demand, limited flexibility. With 3.6 applications per Year 7 place and no current in-year vacancies, securing a place requires early application and may not be guaranteed. Families should have contingency options.

Extended school day. Session 3 activities continue until 5:00pm. While optional, engaged students may have long days that require consideration for family logistics and travel arrangements.

Walsall Academy offers a comprehensive education with particular strength in its sixth form provision, where students benefit from quality teaching and diverse pathways leading to impressive university outcomes, including Russell Group and Oxbridge success. The school's vocational offer, including established T-levels, provides genuine alternatives to purely academic routes.

The Requires Improvement rating reflects real concerns about curriculum design at Key Stage 3, and families should weigh this against the school's strengths in behaviour, personal development, and post-16 provision. For students who thrive in a structured environment and can take advantage of the broad sixth form offer, the progression data suggests strong outcomes are achievable.

Best suited to families in the Bloxwich area seeking a school that balances academic achievement with practical pathways, and where sixth form students benefit from good teaching and effective careers guidance. Entry remains the primary hurdle given demand; the educational experience, particularly at post-16, delivers genuine value.