Heart of England School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of HEART OF ENGLAND SCHOOL

Gipsy Lane, Balsall Common, Coventry, CV7 7FW

01676 535222 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 13 November 2013; confirmed with concerns 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths47%England 45% · 2024/25
7th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 57% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,185Room for 1,365 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,213 in 2019, 1,255 in 2021, 1,257 in 2022, 1,245 in 2023, 1,232 in 2024, 1,216 in 2025, 1,185 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.8160 for 201 places, September 2026
17th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 25% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 November 2013.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementOutstanding

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 May 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

310 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Coventry comparisons use the 15 of its 24 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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.

StatementThis schoolCoventryEngland
My child is happy at this school
11th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 79% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
13th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
48% 67% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 131 parents whose child had been bullied
9th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
45% 48% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 262 parents who had raised a concern
10th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 30% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
13th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Coventry.
Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
58%said yes 72% 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. Coventry figures pool parents at the Coventry 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

213 pupils in this year group.

47% — 1 points below the Solihull average, and 1 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSolihullEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 47% 48% 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. 47.2 47 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.2 4.2 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 37%This school 2023/24: 49%This school 2024/25: 47% This school England 45% 2022/23 37% 2023/24 49% 2024/25 47%

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.

200 pupils in this year group.

92% — 2 points above the Solihull average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 40%34%12%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolSolihullEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 92% 90% 92%
School sixth form 40% 29% 34%
Sixth form college 4% 14% 13%
Further education college 34% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 12% 4% 3%
Work 3% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%92%

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

68 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSolihullEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 14% 23% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 41% 52% 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. 32.2 34.8 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.9This school 2023/24: 33.0This school 2024/25: 32.2 This school England 35 2022/23 33.9 2023/24 33.0 2024/25 32.2

A level subjects, 2024/25

22 subjects, 198 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 38 0% 16% 19%
Business Studies:Single 26 0% 4% 16%
Law 20 0% 20% 17%
English Literature 17 6% 18% 23%
Economics 14 0% 7% 26%
Biology 10 0% 10% 27%
English Language 8 0% 0% 13%
Geography 8 0% 0% 23%
History 7 0% 43% 23%
Mathematics 7 0% 29% 40%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 33% 33% 38%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, Government and Politics, Art and Design (Photography), Drama and Theatre Studies, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Computer Studies / Computing, Design and Technology (Product Design), Music, Spanish, Physics, Physical Education / Sports Studies.

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.

95 students in this year group.

91% — 14 points above the Solihull average, and 12 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSolihullEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 91% 77% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 7% 7%
Work 28% 28% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
89%91%

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.

86 students in this year group.

76% — 19 points above the Solihull average, and 16 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSolihullEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 76% 57% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 23% 18% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
68%76%

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 Solihull. 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 offered201
Families who put it first160
Of those, offered a place160 (100%)
Families who listed it at all371

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Solihull

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolSolihullEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
22nd highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.7% 29.0%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
Joint 15th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.6% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.7% 16.8%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
24th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.8% 12.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
8th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.5% 8.5%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
6th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
21.4% 22.7%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
15th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
22.0 14.8 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
5th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Lower than 60% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.5% 6.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.33% 0.30% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
23rd highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 10% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
14.4 16.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 20th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.8 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
14th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Coventry.
Higher than 60% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
15.2% 14.0%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Heart of England School's Ofsted rating?

Heart of England School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 November 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 May 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.

How did Heart of England School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 1 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Heart of England School?

58% of the 310 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Heart of England School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Heart of England School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 160 families put Heart of England School as their first choice for 201 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 160 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.