SchoolScoresThe Grove School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of MARCHES ACADEMY TRUST
Newcastle Road, Market Drayton, TF9 1HF
01630 652121 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 25 April 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 | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| 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
142 pupils in this year group.
28% — 9 points below the Shropshire average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 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. | 39.5 | 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 |
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.
142 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Shropshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 31% | 15% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 13% | 45% | 13% |
| Further education college | 36% | 19% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 92% |
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
36 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 13% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 31% | 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. | 27.8 | 32.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 87 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 17 | 0% | 12% | 16% |
| Sociology | 12 | 8% | 8% | 20% |
| Economics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 8 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Psychology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Film Studies, Geography, Computer Studies / Computing, English Literature, Physics, Art and Design (Graphics), History, Art and Design, Art and Design (3d 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.
40 students in this year group.
88% — 3 points above the Shropshire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 85% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 25% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 88% |
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.
16 students in this year group.
63% — 7 points above the Shropshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 19% | 16% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 65% | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 150 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 138 |
| Of those, offered a place | 138 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 190 |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.7% | 21.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 5.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 16th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Lower than 36% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.3% | 23.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6 | 26.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Lower than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 12.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 26% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is The Grove School's Ofsted rating?
The Grove School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 April 2023.
How did The Grove School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 28% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Grove School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 138 families put The Grove School as their first choice for 150 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 138 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 146580.
- 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.