City Academy
Birmingham, B15 2EF · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
82nd 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 — 3.4/10 against 204 of them, against 1.7/10 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 | 11 | 35% | 0.39 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.1 · 18 | 30% | 0.55 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.47 · 17 | 25% | 0.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.5 · 10 | 10% | 0.11 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
City Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.47 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 (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 554 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 who are not meeting expected progress? How does the new Ofsted framework affect the school’s current improvement plans?
What Ofsted said about City Academy
Overview
City Academy is a school where leaders are actively working to improve the consistency of education and pupil achievement. While safeguarding, attendance, and behaviour meet the expected standard, the quality of teaching and curriculum implementation varies, meaning some pupils do not achieve as well as they should. The report highlights a strong culture of care and inclusion, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those new to the country, alongside clear next steps for improving academic outcomes.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Attendance has improved and is "very close to national averages," with disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND performing above national averages.
- Behaviour is "calm and purposeful," with a "notable reduction" in suspensions and high expectations supported by the school’s ‘CORE’ values.
- Inclusion is effective, with clear systems for SEND support and a well-structured programme helping pupils who speak English as an additional language to "improve their English rapidly."
- Personal development is comprehensive, covering relevant topics like mental health and internet safety, and pupils feel "known and valued as individuals."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum is "implemented more consistently" so pupils build secure knowledge and skills across all subjects.
- All teaching staff need to develop skills to "check how much pupils understand at the point of learning" and adapt teaching accordingly.
- There must be greater consistency in how learning is adapted to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Safeguarding
The report states that safeguarding standards are met, noting that leaders have established an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and that "pupils are made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.7 |
| 2024/25 | 36.4 |
| 2025/26 | 37.5 |
| 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
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 B15 2EF, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT