SchoolScoresPark Hall Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of ARDEN MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, B36 9HF
0121 748 0400 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 16 November 2017.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 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
199 pupils in this year group.
41% — 6 points below the Solihull average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 41% | 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. | 45.6 | 47 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 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.
203 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Solihull average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 37% | 29% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 14% | 13% |
| Further education college | 44% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 91% |
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
49 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 19% | 23% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 47% | 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. | 33.5 | 34.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
12 subjects, 85 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 13 | 23% | 62% | 20% |
| Psychology | 12 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
| Biology | 8 | 13% | 13% | 27% |
| History | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 14% | 30% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 7 | 0% | 29% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Geography, Business Studies:Single, Art and Design (Fine Art).
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.
85 students in this year group.
84% — 7 points above the Solihull average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 84% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 14% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 18% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 84% |
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.
97 students in this year group.
60% — 3 points above the Solihull average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 60% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 14% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 54% | 60% |
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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 235 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 263 |
| Of those, offered a place | 218 (83%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 572 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.2 · 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 | Solihull | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 76th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.4% | 29.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 30th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 50th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0% | 16.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 87th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 67th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 27% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 49th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 35% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.4% | 22.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 32nd lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0 | 14.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 31st lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 6.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.39% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 45th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 25th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 35th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 66% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 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
- Lift Greenwood 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 2 needs attention · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
- Smith's Wood Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 2 needs attention · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- John Henry Newman Catholic College 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tile Cross Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- WMG Academy for Young Engineers (Solihull) 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 14% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hodge Hill Girls' School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hodge Hill College 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Grace Academy Solihull 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Washwood Heath Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Park Hall Academy's Ofsted rating?
Park Hall Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 November 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Park Hall Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 41% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Park Hall Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 263 families put Park Hall Academy as their first choice for 235 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 218 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 135971.
- 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.