Erasmus Darwin Academy
Burntwood, WS7 3QW · Staffordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 70 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 the 879 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.0/10 among them, against 4.5/10 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 | 35.1 · 24 | 30% | 0.73 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.27 · 70 | 25% | 1.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.9 · 44 | 10% | 0.44 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Erasmus Darwin Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 stood at +0.27 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.2 out of 10 among them, against 6.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, a ski trip, and a London West End visit. Trips include Paris, Disneyland Paris, the Peak District, the Jurassic Coast, London, Iceland, Italy, and New York.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,112 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,084. 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 aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the extensive international trips funded and organised?
What Ofsted said about Erasmus Darwin Academy
Overview
Erasmus Darwin Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy and achieve very well. Leaders and teachers have designed an ambitious curriculum that supports high academic standards, while fostering a harmonious community characterised by warm, respectful relationships and high expectations for conduct.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and retains "breadth and rigour for all pupils," including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Pupils behave respectfully, creating a "harmonious and well-ordered community" where low-level disruption is very rare.
- Staff possess "good subject knowledge" and effectively support pupils, with leaders placing "personal development at the heart" of the curriculum.
- Leaders maintain "high expectations for pupils’ academic achievement," which pupils are successfully rising to.
- Staff workload and well-being are a high priority, with staff reporting they are "very happy working at the school."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure all teachers "precisely identify and then address any misconceptions and gaps in pupils’ learning" to prevent persistent knowledge gaps.
- Leaders need to implement systems to support pupils with weak reading skills, ensuring they become "fluent readers" to fully engage with the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff taking proactive action to keep pupils safe and leaders being "tenacious in following up concerns."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.3 |
| 2024/25 | 47.8 |
| 2025/26 | 44.9 |
| 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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