Arena Academy
Birmingham, B42 2PY · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
76th 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 — 4.3/10 against 494 of them, against 2.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.9 · 27 | 46% | 1.24 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.36 · 23 | 38% | 0.90 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.7 · 32 | 15% | 0.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Arena Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.36 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 (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 969 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 who are falling behind in English and maths? How does the school ensure equitable access to opportunities for all students?
What Ofsted said about Arena Academy
Overview
Arena Academy has “significantly improved” since its previous inspection, with all four key judgement areas rated as Good. The school maintains “high expectations of achievement” and fosters a positive environment where pupils feel safe and valued.
Strengths
- Pupils are “polite, considerate and respectful,” demonstrating improved behaviour and significantly better attendance.
- The curriculum is “ambitious and carefully sequenced,” with appropriate adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Staff are “well trained” with strong subject knowledge, providing clear explanations and promoting a “love of reading.”
- Leaders work closely with trustees to monitor improvement, resulting in an “ambitious and inclusive vision” for the school.
- Personal development provision prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, including understanding risks and healthy relationships.
Areas to improve
- Assessment is not always used effectively to identify gaps in knowledge, meaning some pupils do not fully understand what they are learning.
- The school must ensure current strategies are embedded to gain consistency in lessons so pupils can build strong knowledge and understanding.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.7 |
| 2024/25 | 44.5 |
| 2025/26 | 42.7 |
| 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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