Idsall School

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

Part of MARCHES ACADEMY TRUST

Coppice Green Lane, Shifnal, TF11 8PD

01952 468400 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 12 November 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths32%England 45% · 2024/25
16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 22% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,172Room for 1,080 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,316 in 2019, 1,300 in 2021, 1,298 in 2022, 1,312 in 2023, 1,238 in 2024, 1,170 in 2025, 1,172 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9170 for 197 places, September 2026
17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 33% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

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 educationRequires improvement
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

137 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Shropshire comparisons use the 13 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 schoolShropshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
9th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
72% 71% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 10th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 72% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
10th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
47% 55% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 64 parents whose child had been bullied
10th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 14% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
34% 38% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 107 parents who had raised a concern
10th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 14% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
50% 55% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 33 parents of children with SEND
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 8% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
33% 28% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
10th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire.
Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
55%said yes 61% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 12%). 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. Shropshire figures pool parents at the Shropshire 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

217 pupils in this year group.

32% — 5 points below the Shropshire average, and 13 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolShropshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 32% 37% 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. 41 42.5 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.4 3.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 41%This school 2023/24: 35%This school 2024/25: 32% This school England 45% 2022/23 41% 2023/24 35% 2024/25 32%

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.

222 pupils in this year group.

95% — 4 points above the Shropshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 35%27%23%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolShropshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 91% 92%
School sixth form 35% 15% 34%
Sixth form college 27% 45% 13%
Further education college 23% 19% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 5% 3%
Work 2% 5% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%95%

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

48 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolShropshireEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 8% 13% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 41% 40% 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. 30.6 32.8 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: 32.3This school 2023/24: 32.5This school 2024/25: 30.6 This school England 35 2022/23 32.3 2023/24 32.5 2024/25 30.6

A level subjects, 2024/25

12 subjects, 114 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Sociology 24 0% 13% 20%
Psychology 17 0% 6% 19%
Economics 11 0% 9% 26%
Business Studies:Single 9 0% 22% 16%
Geography 9 0% 11% 23%
History 9 0% 0% 23%
Mathematics 9 0% 0% 40%
Biology 6 0% 0% 27%
English Language 6 0% 0% 13%
English Literature 6 0% 0% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, 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.

98 students in this year group.

86% — about the same as the Shropshire average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolShropshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 85% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 10% 7%
Work 26% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%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.

100 students in this year group.

63% — 7 points above the Shropshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolShropshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 63% 56% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 20% 16% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
66%63%

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 Shropshire. 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 offered197
Families who put it first170
Of those, offered a place166 (98%)
Families who listed it at all277

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Shropshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolShropshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.9% 21.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.1% 13.6%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
13th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.9% 5.0%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.9% 8.4%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
25.9% 23.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
19th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Lower than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
43.3 26.7 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.4% 8.3% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.17% 0.17% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 13th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 45% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.6 17.1 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
15.1 12.8 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
3rd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire.
Higher than 70% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
17.1% 13.2%* 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 Idsall School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Idsall School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 32% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Idsall School?

55% of the 137 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Idsall School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Idsall School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 170 families put Idsall School as their first choice for 197 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 166 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.