SchoolScoresQ3 Academy Great Barr
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Christian · Sixth form
Part of THE MERCIAN TRUST
Wilderness Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 7SD
0121 358 6186 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 March 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 22 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
216 pupils in this year group.
45% — 11 points above the Sandwell average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 34% | 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. | 44.2 | 41.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 3.6 | 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.
206 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Sandwell average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | 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 | 26% | 25% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 61% | 54% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 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
48 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 16% | 15% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 46% | 39% | 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 | 27.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 147 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 23 | 13% | 17% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 19 | 0% | 5% | 30% |
| Biology | 18 | 0% | 6% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 15 | 0% | 27% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 13 | 8% | 23% | 16% |
| Sociology | 13 | 23% | 46% | 20% |
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| History | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 26% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 6 | 0% | 17% | 24% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Language and Literature, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design, Art and Design (Photography), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Polish.
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.
68 students in this year group.
94% — 23 points above the Sandwell average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 94% | 71% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 6% | 19% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 94% |
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.
40 students in this year group.
75% — 16 points above the Sandwell average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 75% | 59% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 35% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 75% |
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 Sandwell. 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 199 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 185 |
| Of those, offered a place | 163 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 496 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
This is a Christian school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 1100 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Multi-sensory impairment; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties; Profound and multiple learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 87th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.7% | 41.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 25th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 81st highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 13.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 68th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7% | 31.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 34th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 8.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 31st lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 60% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.6% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 59th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 59th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.20% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 88% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.0 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 11th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 88% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 82% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.7% | 15.0%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Barr Beacon School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hamstead Hall Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Joseph Leckie Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Arena Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fortis Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen Mary's Grammar School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- Abu Bakr Boys School 2.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024)
- Blue Coat CofE Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Phoenix Collegiate 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 1 expected · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Q3 Academy Great Barr's Ofsted rating?
Q3 Academy Great Barr was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 March 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Q3 Academy Great Barr do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Q3 Academy Great Barr oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 185 families put Q3 Academy Great Barr as their first choice for 199 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 163 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 135449.
- 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.