Grace Academy Darlaston
Wednesbury, WS10 8QJ · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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 — 4.5/10 against 220 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 23.1 · 6 | 30% | 0.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.04 · 47 | 25% | 1.18 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.0 · 24 | 10% | 0.24 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Grace Academy Darlaston overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.04 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access surfing, abseiling, archery, and go karting, alongside trips to France, Andorra, Germany, and venues like Wembley and the theatre. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,059 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,075. 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 Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 above the national median?
What Ofsted said about Grace Academy Darlaston
Overview
Grace Academy Darlaston is described as a "happy and calm place" where pupils behave well and feel safe. The report highlights a "strong standard" in personal development, with other areas meeting the "expected standard," noting that pupils are generally well prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- Leaders have created a "vibrant array of extra opportunities" that are fully inclusive, with a mentoring programme that has a "profound impact" on both mentors and mentees.
- The inclusion hub provides a "calm and purposeful environment" that successfully helps pupils develop regulation and confidence before reintegrating into mainstream lessons.
- Staff are "overwhelmingly positive and supportive" of leaders, who are praised for listening to staff and ensuring they feel well supported regarding workload.
- Pupils receive effective support for wellbeing and attendance, with leaders using "personalised strategies" and working closely with families and external agencies.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should continue to develop teachers' skills in adapting teaching so that all pupils can access the curriculum successfully, as inclusive practice in classrooms is "still developing."
- Agreed approaches to assessment must be consistently applied throughout the school to ensure gaps in knowledge are accurately identified and addressed.
- Leaders should continue working with partners to further improve attendance, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.1 |
| 2024/25 | 41.2 |
| 2025/26 | 41.0 |
| 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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