Harborne Academy
Birmingham, B15 3JL · Birmingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
37th 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 — 8.3/10 against 262 of them, against 6.0/10 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 | 47.8 · 58 | 30% | 1.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.27 · 70 | 25% | 1.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.4 · 41 | 10% | 0.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harborne Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.6, matching the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.27 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Pottery, and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme clubs, or play football. Arts activities include Arts Award Explore and Bronze, plus visits to the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. Trips have included London, The Hay Festival, Black Country Living Museum, Cadbury World, Bletchley Park, Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum, and a skiing trip to Italy.
Getting in
The published school roll is 627 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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 raise their Progress 8 scores? How are the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and arts awards
What Ofsted said about Harborne Academy
Overview
Harborne Academy continues to be a good school, characterised by a purposeful atmosphere where pupils are happy and safe. The report highlights positive relationships between staff and pupils, alongside an ambitious curriculum that supports strong outcomes by the end of key stage 4.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from ‘positive and respectful relationships’ with staff, which motivates them to achieve well.
- Behaviour is generally excellent, with leaders dealing with any instances of bullying ‘swiftly and effectively’.
- The curriculum is broad and ambitious, including recent improvements such as introducing Spanish to promote the English Baccalaureate.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
- Personal development is ‘exceptionally well supported’ through comprehensive programmes on health, relationships, and careers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure all teachers use ‘accurate subject-specific vocabulary’ consistently to prevent pupils from developing misconceptions.
- Leaders should ensure all teachers regularly check what pupils have learned to identify and address gaps in knowledge quickly.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring concerns are reported and external agencies are contacted quickly when early help is required.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.2 |
| 2024/25 | 44.6 |
| 2025/26 | 44.4 |
| 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
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 3JL, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT