Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
Birmingham, B27 7XY · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
77th of 88 secondary schools in Birmingham we can score, 89 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 5.5/10 against 362 of them, against 3.2/10 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 | 2 | 35% | 0.06 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.8 · 27 | 30% | 0.80 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.13 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.9 · 28 | 10% | 0.28 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers Library After School Clubs and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,152 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,190. 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
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the Library After School Clubs structured to engage students beyond core lessons?
What Ofsted said about Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
Overview
The report states that the school "requires special measures" because it is "failing to provide an acceptable standard of education" and leaders lack the "capacity to secure the necessary improvement." While the sixth form delivers a "well-planned, ambitious curriculum" where students achieve well, standards for younger pupils have declined, with significant issues in teaching, behaviour, and support for vulnerable groups.
Strengths
- The sixth form curriculum is "well-planned" and "ambitious," with teachers delivering it "effectively" and checking understanding well.
- Sixth-form students "achieve well" in public examinations and are "well-prepared for life beyond school."
- Students in the sixth form take on leadership roles and receive "effective careers advice and guidance."
- Leaders use funding for disadvantaged pupils "well" to support their learning.
- Support for pupils with "emotionally based school avoidance" helps them "re-engage with school."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers "effectively check pupils’ understanding" to address gaps in learning, as many pupils lack essential knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Leaders need to accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and ensure they receive effective support, as current provision is "inconsistent" and "not effective."
- Leaders must establish high expectations for behaviour during unstructured times and address "internal truancy," as current actions have been ineffective and some pupils feel unsafe due to disruption.
Safeguarding
The report confirms that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.7 |
| 2024/25 | 41.7 |
| 2025/26 | 41.9 |
| 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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