Aldridge School - A Science College
Walsall, WS9 0BG · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th of 19 secondary schools in Walsall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.7/10 against 807 of them, against 4.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.80 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 45.4 · 51 | 30% | 1.55 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.28 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.4 · 36 | 10% | 0.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Aldridge School - A Science College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.28 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Crime Scene Investigation, The Great Aldridge Bake Off, and Spelling Bee clubs. Sports include rounders, cricket, swimming, and Sports Day, while arts activities feature the MFL Poetry Competition.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,629 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,489. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 score is below 0? How does the curriculum prepare students for the specific challenges of a Science College?
What Ofsted said about Aldridge School - A Science College
Overview
Aldridge School - A Science College continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy their learning and feel safe. Leaders have implemented an ambitious curriculum that is well sequenced, enabling pupils to build on prior knowledge, while staff maintain high expectations in calm and purposeful classrooms.
Strengths
- Teachers "adapt learning effectively" for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, using keyworkers and regular reviews to ensure needs are met.
- Staff use questions "skilfully to spot and address pupils’ misunderstandings," adjusting the curriculum to fill gaps in learning.
- Pupils benefit from a "very broad range of A-level and vocational qualifications" and receive good careers advice, including visits to higher education institutions.
- The school promotes a strong reading culture with activities that help pupils improve "reading fluency and comprehension."
- Behaviour is "nearly always good," with low-level disruption being infrequent and dealt with consistently according to policy.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the reading support curriculum includes a "suitable phonics programme" for the small number of pupils at a very early stage of reading.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is delivered in a way that "best meets pupils’ needs and abilities," as occasional implementation issues limit progress for some.
- Leaders should improve how they "provide information for and communicate with parents," as some feel they do not receive the right information at the right time.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with rigorous systems in place to keep pupils safe and staff well-trained to identify risks quickly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.2 |
| 2025/26 | 43.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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