SchoolScoresArk Kings Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Shannon Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 9DE
0121 459 4451 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 March 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 |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
43 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 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 Joint 39th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 80% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 42nd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 42nd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 13% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 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% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 38 parents who had raised a concern Joint 31st highest of 45 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 24% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 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. | 58%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
45 pupils in this year group.
69% — 6 points above the Birmingham average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 69% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 69% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 84% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 87% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
120 pupils in this year group.
24% — 21 points below the Birmingham average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 24% | 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. | 36.5 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.0 | 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.
111 pupils in this year group.
77% — 13 points below the Birmingham average, and 15 points below 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. | 77% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 61% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 77% |
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 71 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 38 |
| Of those, offered a place | 38 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 223 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.4 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.5
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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 19 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 18 |
| Of those, offered a place | 18 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 59 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 4th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 72.4% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 36th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.7% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 50th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.8% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 35th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 37th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 50% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.4% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 75th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.9 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 77th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.50% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 4th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 94% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 86th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 98% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 36.6% | 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
- New Ways School 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 2 needs attention
- St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), some aspects weaker 2024 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kings Norton Girls' School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Turves Green Boys' School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bournville School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Woodrush High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2021) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Kings Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ark Kings Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 March 2024.
How did Ark Kings Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 24% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Ark Kings Academy?
58% of the 43 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Ark Kings Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Kings Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 38 families put Ark Kings Academy as their first choice for 71 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 38 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 137578.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, 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.