SchoolScoresSt John Wall Catholic School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Oxhill Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 8HH
0121 554 1825 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 June 2023.
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 | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
127 pupils in this year group.
39% — 7 points below the Birmingham average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 39% | 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. | 44.7 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 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.
121 pupils in this year group.
89% — about the same as the Birmingham average, and 3 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. | 89% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 29% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 58% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 89% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 120 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 82 |
| Of those, offered a place | 82 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 398 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.7 · 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.
This is a Roman Catholic 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
| Pupils | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 28th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 60.3% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 55th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.0% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 84th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 66.3% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 42nd lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 55% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 46th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.6% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 73rd lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 24.5 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 75th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 16% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.16% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 91st highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 2% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 87th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 22nd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 81% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1% | 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
- V.A.S.E Academy 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected
- Holyhead School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sandwell Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hamstead Hall Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sandwell Valley School 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Windsor Olympus Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- King Edward VI Handsworth School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Shireland CBSO Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John Wall Catholic School's Ofsted rating?
St John Wall Catholic School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2023.
How did St John Wall Catholic School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St John Wall Catholic School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 82 families put St John Wall Catholic School as their first choice for 120 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 82 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 103534.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.