SchoolScoresErasmus Darwin Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of PRIMITAS LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Pool Road, Burntwood, WS7 3QW
01543 685828 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 September 2014.
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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 17 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
185 pupils in this year group.
45% — 5 points above the Staffordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 40% | 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. | 47.8 | 43.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.8 | 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.
185 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Staffordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 46% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 3% | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 93% |
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
83 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 9% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 46% | 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. | 28.8 | 33.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 195 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 31 | 3% | 3% | 23% |
| Psychology | 24 | 4% | 4% | 19% |
| Biology | 20 | 5% | 10% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 16 | 6% | 13% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 15 | 0% | 7% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 15 | 7% | 13% | 30% |
| Religious Studies | 15 | 0% | 7% | 22% |
| Sociology | 12 | 0% | 8% | 20% |
| English Literature | 11 | 0% | 9% | 23% |
| History | 9 | 11% | 22% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 8 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| English Language | 6 | 0% | 17% | 13% |
| Music | 6 | 0% | 33% | 29% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physics.
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.
98 students in this year group.
96% — 15 points above the Staffordshire average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 96% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 15% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 37% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 96% |
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.
89 students in this year group.
56% — 4 points above the Staffordshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 52% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 15% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 56% |
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 Staffordshire. 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 192 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 210 |
| Of those, offered a place | 185 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 448 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Staffordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 47th highest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9% | 22.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 48th highest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 13.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 39th highest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 7.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 29th lowest of 70 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 7.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 30th lowest of 70 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 20.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 22nd lowest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Lower than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 21st lowest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.27% | 0.31% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 31st highest of 72 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6 | 17.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 55th highest of 72 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 51st highest of 71 state secondary schools in Staffordshire. Higher than 31% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 13.9%* | 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
- Brownhills Ormiston Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), some aspects weaker 2024 · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chase Terrace Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Norton Canes High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- Shire Oak Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Erasmus Darwin Academy's Ofsted rating?
Erasmus Darwin Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 September 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 17 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Erasmus Darwin 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%.
Is Erasmus Darwin Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 210 families put Erasmus Darwin Academy as their first choice for 192 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 185 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 136886.
- 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.