SchoolScoresHillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Part of HILLCREST SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE
Stonehouse Lane, Birmingham, B32 3AE
0121 464 3172 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 September 2013.
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 |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 28 September 2022: 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
118 pupils in this year group.
47% — 1 points above the Birmingham average, and 1 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 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. | 52.1 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 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.
116 pupils in this year group.
94% — 4 points above the Birmingham average, and 2 points above 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. | 94% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 42% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 47% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 94% |
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
22 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 16% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 56% | 55% | 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. | 33.1 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
11 subjects, 64 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 13 | 0% | 8% | 30% |
| Biology | 12 | 0% | 8% | 27% |
| Psychology | 12 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics, Sociology, English Literature, History, Arabic, Physics, 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.
28 students in this year group.
86% — 11 points above the Birmingham average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | 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% | 75% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 4% | 7% |
| Work | 7% | 17% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 73% | 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.
14 students in this year group.
71% — 2 points above the Birmingham average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 71% | 69% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 43% | 28% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 71% |
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 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 | 121 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 81 |
| Of those, offered a place | 81 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 322 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.6 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 30th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 59.2% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 81st 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 77th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 31st highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 47.8% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 53rd lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 44th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.2% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 43rd lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 59% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 35th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 53% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 83rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 88th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 67th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 38% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 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
- Bartley Green School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lift Four Dwellings Secondary 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- E-ACT Shenley Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Five Ways School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- The University of Birmingham School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Perryfields Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion), confirmed with concerns 2024 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bournville School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lordswood Boys' School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre's Ofsted rating?
Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 September 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 28 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre 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%.
Is Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 81 families put Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre as their first choice for 121 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 81 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 137346.
- 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.