Ark Boulton Academy
Birmingham, B11 2QG · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
56th 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 — 6.4/10 against 184 of them, against 4.1/10 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 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.8 · 58 | 30% | 1.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.49 · 16 | 25% | 0.41 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.4 · 52 | 10% | 0.52 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ark Boulton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.49 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Book Club, STEM Racing Club, Debate Mate, Leadership for Change Club, Maths Mingle, Axiom Maths, Chess Club, and Craft Club. Sports include Basketball, Football, Table Tennis, Netball, Badminton, and Cricket. Arts and music offer a School Musical, Ark Choir, Clay Club, and instrument lessons. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 877 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 above the national median? How does
What Ofsted said about Ark Boulton Academy
Overview
Ark Boulton Academy is described as a welcoming school where staff and pupils share high aspirations and uphold values of ‘respect, curiosity and perseverance’. The report highlights a ‘purposeful atmosphere’ with warm relationships, noting that the school has undergone significant improvement since the last inspection, particularly in curriculum sequencing and leadership.
Strengths
- Pupils are happy and behave sensibly, with staff addressing unacceptable behaviour ‘quickly and efficiently’.
- The curriculum is ‘highly ambitious and well-sequenced’, with a strong emphasis on personal development and British values.
- Effective support exists for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including the use of ‘pupil passports’ and targeted reading strategies.
- Leaders provide robust professional development, ensuring staff feel ‘very well supported and consulted’.
- Attendance is a key priority, with ‘highly effective and successful action’ taken to support families with higher absence rates.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must consistently check that all pupils understand and remember key knowledge, as some do not currently verify retention sufficiently.
- Staff need to consistently adapt teaching to ensure all pupils are supported or challenged to deepen their knowledge and address gaps.
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 | 38.2 |
| 2024/25 | 44.2 |
| 2025/26 | 46.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of B11 2QG, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT