SchoolScoresThe Polesworth School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of COMMUNITY ACADEMIES TRUST
Dordon Road, Dordon, Tamworth, B78 1QT
01827 702205 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 February 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 | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | 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
237 pupils in this year group.
35% — 14 points below the Warwickshire average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Warwickshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 50% | 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. | 42.7 | 48 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.3 | 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.
239 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Warwickshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Warwickshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 42% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 93% |
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
102 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Warwickshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 17% | 28% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 37% | 54% | 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. | 31.1 | 35.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 264 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 47 | 0% | 13% | 19% |
| Biology | 25 | 4% | 20% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 23 | 4% | 17% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 18 | 6% | 33% | 40% |
| Government and Politics | 15 | 7% | 20% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 13 | 0% | 38% | 30% |
| Geography | 13 | 0% | 15% | 23% |
| History | 13 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Physics | 13 | 0% | 31% | 31% |
| Economics | 12 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| English Literature | 12 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 11 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Sociology | 11 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Law | 9 | 0% | 22% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 8 | 25% | 38% | 14% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Religious Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Mathematics (Further), German.
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.
143 students in this year group.
88% — 8 points above the Warwickshire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Warwickshire | 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% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 38% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 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.
147 students in this year group.
71% — 11 points above the Warwickshire average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Warwickshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 71% | 60% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 69% | 71% |
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 Warwickshire. 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 | 243 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 238 |
| Of those, offered a place | 237 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 377 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Warwickshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.2% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 13.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Lower than 18% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.0% | 23.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.5 | 16.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 6.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tamworth. Higher than 13% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 13.8%* | 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
- The Wilnecote School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lift Tamworth 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Landau Forte Academy, Amington 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Polesworth School's Ofsted rating?
The Polesworth School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 February 2023.
How did The Polesworth School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Polesworth School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 238 families put The Polesworth School as their first choice for 243 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 237 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 136459.
- 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.