Blue Coat Church of England Academy
Walsall, WS1 2ND · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th 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 — 4.8/10 against 180 of them, against 2.4/10 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 | 22.1 · 5 | 30% | 0.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.02 · 52 | 25% | 1.30 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.5 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Blue Coat Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. In 2024/25, 18.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 972 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
Since the inspection was in 2023, what specific improvements have been made to raise Attainment 8 towards the national median? How does the school support pupils to bridge the gap between their current results and the national average?
What Ofsted said about Blue Coat Church of England Academy
Overview
Blue Coat Church of England Academy is described as an inclusive school where "kindness flourishes" and positive relationships between staff and pupils are well established. The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with leaders maintaining a culture rooted in values such as wisdom, service, endurance, and hope.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "well planned," with lessons sequenced logically to help pupils build knowledge over time.
- Teachers possess "secure subject knowledge" and effectively adapt resources, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Pupils benefit from a "well-developed personal development programme" and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including careers advice and work experience.
- Behaviour is positive, with a "calm and purposeful" environment where pupils feel safe, respected, and confident to ask for help.
- Early reading interventions are effective, helping younger pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure more pupils in key stage 4 study languages, geography, or history to broaden their engagement with the English Baccalaureate (EBacc).
- Leaders should promote a love of reading and provide more opportunities for older pupils in key stages 4 and 5 to read widely for pleasure.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff acting in pupils' best interests and reporting concerns swiftly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.0 |
| 2024/25 | 37.4 |
| 2025/26 | 36.5 |
| 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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