Fortis Academy
Birmingham, B44 8NU · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
72nd 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 — 4.0/10 against 250 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 29.0 · 14 | 30% | 0.41 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.32 · 26 | 25% | 0.64 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.4 · 13 | 10% | 0.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fortis Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. In 2024/25, 27.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.32 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 (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Birmingham Rockets, Sporting Elite, Continental Stars Table Tennis Club, Birchfield Harriers, and Eco Warriors. The LoudMouth Theatre Company provides arts opportunities. Trips include Ackers Adventure, the theatre, Black Country Living Museum, hiking in the Shropshire Hills, Western-Super-Mare, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, and a year 11 prom.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,210 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,124. 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 strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How are the named
What Ofsted said about Fortis Academy
Overview
Fortis Academy is described as a "warm and welcoming" large school where pupils feel safe and are "well looked after." Following a period of turbulence, leaders have "significantly improved the school," establishing a new culture characterised by high expectations, improved attendance, and a "calm and orderly environment."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "well-sequenced," with particular praise for English, where pupils can "confidently articulate their current learning."
- Behaviour has "much improved," supported by consistent staff expectations and a strong pastoral care system that helps overcome barriers to attendance.
- Personal development is "well promoted," with pupils understanding important principles such as healthy relationships and local risks like criminal exploitation.
- A "love of reading is well-promoted," with effective support for those falling behind, including phonics and excellent assistance for pupils with English as an additional language.
- Staff feel "valued" and proud to work at the school, supported by "diligent trustees" and the Shaw Education Trust.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must use assessment "precisely" to identify gaps and errors in pupils’ knowledge, preventing misconceptions from forming.
- Teaching approaches need to be adapted more precisely to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to ensure consistent learning outcomes.
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 | 39.7 |
| 2024/25 | 37.9 |
| 2025/26 | 38.4 |
| 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
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