Westwood College

Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE TALENTUM LEARNING TRUST

Westwood Park, Leek, ST13 8NP

01538 370930 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedRequires improvementInspected 21 May 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths40%England 45% · 2024/25
23rd highest of 56 state secondary schools in Staffordshire.
Higher than 41% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils735Room for 911 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 776 in 2019, 817 in 2021, 798 in 2022, 779 in 2023, 784 in 2024, 770 in 2025, 735 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
Free school meals16%of pupils eligible now

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 21 May 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationRequires improvement
Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
Personal developmentRequires improvement
Leadership and managementRequires improvement
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

125 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

StatementThis schoolLeekEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 80% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 83% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
51% 70% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 57 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 11% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
32% 47% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 107 parents who had raised a concern
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 16% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
52% 68% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leek.
Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
62%said yes 76% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Leek figures pool parents at the Leek schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

197 pupils in this year group.

40% — about the same as the Staffordshire average, and 5 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 40% 40% 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 43.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 40%This school 2023/24: 43%This school 2024/25: 40% This school England 45% 2022/23 40% 2023/24 43% 2024/25 40%

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.

189 pupils in this year group.

92% — about the same as the Staffordshire average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 46%33%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 92% 92% 92%
School sixth form 46% 33% 34%
Sixth form college 2% 3% 13%
Further education college 33% 46% 37%
Apprenticeship 7% 5% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%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

86 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 19% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 48% 46% 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. 33.3 33.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 29.1This school 2023/24: 28.2This school 2024/25: 33.3 This school England 35 2022/23 29.1 2023/24 28.2 2024/25 33.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

20 subjects, 206 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 23 4% 22% 40%
Geography 21 5% 19% 23%
History 21 0% 0% 23%
Sociology 18 6% 11% 20%
Psychology 16 0% 25% 19%
English Literature 15 0% 13% 23%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 14 14% 21% 15%
Biology 12 0% 33% 27%
English Language 11 0% 0% 13%
Chemistry 9 0% 11% 30%
Physics 7 0% 14% 31%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 17% 50% 38%
Drama and Theatre Studies 6 0% 33% 19%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 6 0% 33% 14%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 0% 33% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), French, Mathematics (Further), German, Music.

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.

112 students in this year group.

88% — 7 points above the Staffordshire average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 88% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 11% 11% 7%
Work 35% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%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.

119 students in this year group.

63% — 11 points above the Staffordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 63% 52% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 11% 11% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
60%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 Staffordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

Admissions dates and schools in Staffordshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.5% 22.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.9% 2.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 13.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.5% 7.6%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.4% 7.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.0% 20.8%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
18.4 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Lower than 53% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.4% 7.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.52% 0.31% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.5 17.3 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Leek.
Higher than 73% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
17.9% 13.9%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Westwood College's Ofsted rating?

Westwood College was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 May 2024.

How did Westwood College do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Westwood College?

62% of the 125 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Westwood College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.