SchoolScoresKing Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of KING EDWARD VI ACADEMY TRUST BIRMINGHAM
New Street, Frankley, Birmingham, B45 0EU
0121 464 9901 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 31 January 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
41 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Birmingham comparisons use the 49 of its 95 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 46 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.
| Statement | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 38th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 66% | 80% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 33rd highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 30th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 34% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 20 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 32nd highest of 40 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 47% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 34 parents who had raised a concern Joint 36th highest of 45 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 17% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 30th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68%said yes | 75% | 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. Birmingham figures pool parents at the Birmingham 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
75 pupils in this year group.
32% — 13 points below the Birmingham average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 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. | 41.4 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
73 pupils in this year group.
82% — 8 points below the Birmingham average, and 10 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. | 82% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 78% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 82% |
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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 87 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 100 |
| Of those, offered a place | 80 (80%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 300 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.4 · 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 | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 69.3% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.8% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 77th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 70th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 64th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.8% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 69th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.5 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 67th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.72% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 63rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 21% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 82nd highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 58th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 47% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 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
- Colmers School and Sixth Form College 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Waseley Hills High School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Turves Green Boys' School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), some aspects weaker 2024 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Five Ways School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bartley Green School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- E-ACT Shenley Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
- New Ways School 2.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 2 needs attention
- St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy's Ofsted rating?
King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 January 2024.
How did King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy 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 King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy?
68% of the 41 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 100 families put King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy as their first choice for 87 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 80 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 147440.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- 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.