SchoolScoresChristopher Whitehead Language College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CHRISTOPHER WHITEHEAD LANGUAGE COLLEGE
Bromwich Road, St John's, Worcester, WR2 4AF
01905 423906 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 May 2018.
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 | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 25 May 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
256 pupils in this year group.
42% — about the same as the Worcestershire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 41% | 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. | 43.8 | 44.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.9 | 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.
247 pupils in this year group.
90% — 3 points below the Worcestershire average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 31% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 14% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 34% | 36% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
91 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 22% | 18% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 48% | 43% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 33.9 | 32 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 221 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 22 | 0% | 18% | 27% |
| Psychology | 22 | 27% | 50% | 19% |
| English Literature | 17 | 6% | 29% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 13 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Religious Studies | 13 | 0% | 8% | 22% |
| Classical Civilisation | 12 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 12 | 0% | 25% | 17% |
| History | 11 | 0% | 27% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 11 | 18% | 45% | 40% |
| Geography | 10 | 10% | 30% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 10 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Film Studies | 9 | 0% | 33% | 17% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 32% |
| English Language and Literature | 7 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| Sociology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 20% |
| Environmental Science | 6 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, Dance, French, Physics, Art and Design (Photography), Mathematics (Further), Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
108 students in this year group.
86% — 4 points above the Worcestershire average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 43% | 35% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
94 students in this year group.
68% — 10 points above the Worcestershire average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 68% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 16% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 64% | 68% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Worcestershire. 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 | 274 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 236 |
| Of those, offered a place | 236 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 372 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 12 places for autism; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Worcestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2% | 22.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 44% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 9.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Lower than 32% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Lower than 29% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.6% | 23.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9 | 13.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 5.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.19% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Worcester. Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 11.6%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- The King's School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 47% A*/A at A level
- Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Royal Grammar School Worcester 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- Kimichi Worcester 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Bishop Perowne CofE College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nunnery Wood High School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Worcester Sixth Form College 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Tudor Grange Academy Worcester 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- The River School 2.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Christopher Whitehead Language College's Ofsted rating?
Christopher Whitehead Language College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 May 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 25 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Christopher Whitehead Language College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Christopher Whitehead Language College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 236 families put Christopher Whitehead Language College as their first choice for 274 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 236 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 136890.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.