SchoolScoresArk Victoria Academy
Free school · All-through, ages 3 to 18 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Talbot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0HJ
0121 393 4459 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 March 2019.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 October 2024: Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
25 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 33rd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 11th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 34th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 24% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 18 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 40 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 97% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 23 parents who had raised a concern Joint 24th highest of 45 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 37% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 30th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 2%). 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
113 pupils in this year group.
85% — 22 points above the Birmingham average, and 23 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 85% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 88% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 88% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 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
159 pupils in this year group.
45% — about the same as the Birmingham average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 48.4 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 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.
135 pupils in this year group.
93% — 3 points above the Birmingham average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 16% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 46% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 93% |
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 | 72 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 50 |
| Of those, offered a place | 42 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 417 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.7
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 | 62 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 58 |
| Of those, offered a place | 58 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 123 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 12th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 65.3% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 83rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 30th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 81.1% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 89% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 80% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 20th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.39% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 29th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 35th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 60th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 46% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 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
- Darul Uloom Islamic High School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Jamia Islamia Birmingham 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: safeguarding not met; 3 needs attention, 4 urgent improvement · 0% A*/A at A level
- Ark Boulton Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Small Heath Leadership Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Starbank School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holy Trinity Catholic School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Yardleys School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Green Heath School 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 73% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hamd House School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Victoria Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ark Victoria Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 October 2024, Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
How did Ark Victoria Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Ark Victoria Academy?
68% of the 25 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Ark Victoria Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Victoria Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 50 families put Ark Victoria Academy as their first choice for 72 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 42 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 141752.
- 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, 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.