SchoolScoresArena Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of CORE EDUCATION TRUST
Beeches Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B42 2PY
0121 729 7310 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Birmingham comparisons use the 49 of its 95 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 46 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 32nd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 33rd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 40th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 27 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 29th highest of 40 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 27% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 41% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 50 parents who had raised a concern 38th highest of 45 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 12% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48% | 65% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 18 parents of children with SEND 15th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 6% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 28% | 65% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 35th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 6%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Birmingham figures pool parents at the Birmingham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
233 pupils in this year group.
40% — 6 points below the Birmingham average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 45% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 44.5 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
179 pupils in this year group.
94% — 4 points above the Birmingham average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 23% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 63% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Birmingham. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 164 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 123 |
| Of those, offered a place | 123 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 479 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 73rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.5% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 72nd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.8% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 59th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 74th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 37th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 36th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.4% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 65th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 66th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 49th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 32nd highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 52nd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 50% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2% | 14.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Fortis Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 1 expected · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Aspire AP School 2 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- E-ACT North Birmingham Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 exceptional, 4 strong, 2 expected · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Prince Albert High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Barr Beacon School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hamstead Hall Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Eden Boys' School, Birmingham 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- Q3 Academy Great Barr 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oscott Academy 1.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Arena Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Arena Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Arena Academy?
64% of the 59 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Arena Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Arena Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 123 families put Arena Academy as their first choice for 164 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 123 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145580.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.