SchoolScoresCity Academy
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of CORE EDUCATION TRUST
23 Langley Walk, Birmingham, B15 2EF
0121 729 7100 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 February 2026 , published 19 April 2026.
In short: 4 expected, 2 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
150 pupils in this year group.
23% — 22 points below the Birmingham average, and 22 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 23% | 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. | 36.4 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
162 pupils in this year group.
80% — 10 points below the Birmingham average, and 12 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. | 80% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 9% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 64% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 80% |
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 | 61 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 34 |
| Of those, offered a place | 34 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 276 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.1 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.6
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 15th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 64.7% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 79th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 71st highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 25th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 49.9% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 74th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 17% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 74th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 9% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.2% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 90th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 71.9 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 92nd lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.49% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 61st highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 23% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.4 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 66th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 23rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 80% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.0% | 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
- Mander Portman Woodward Independent College 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 29% A*/A at A level
- City United Academy (CUA) 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- St George's School Edgbaston 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 15% A*/A at A level
- Ark St Alban's Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hallfield School 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Priory School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 33% A*/A at A level
- Jewellery Quarter Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Edgbaston High School for Girls 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
- Birmingham Ormiston Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is City Academy's Ofsted rating?
City Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 expected, 2 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did City Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 22 points below the England average of 45%.
Is City Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 34 families put City Academy as their first choice for 61 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 34 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 148187.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.