John Henry Newman Catholic College
Birmingham, B37 5GA · Solihull · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th of 15 secondary schools in Solihull 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 — 4.7/10 against 456 of them, against 2.7/10 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 | 13 | 35% | 0.47 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 34.0 · 22 | 30% | 0.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.25 · 31 | 25% | 0.77 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.1 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
John Henry Newman Catholic College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.25 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,273 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 specific support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 score falls below the national benchmark? How does the new Ofsted grading structure influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about John Henry Newman Catholic College
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils achieve well and are well prepared for their next steps, with leaders having refined the curriculum and teaching. While most aspects of the school meet the expected standard, the post-16 provision requires attention due to inconsistencies in teaching and progress for A-level students.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well across a range of subjects, including disadvantaged pupils and those with barriers to learning.
- Leaders have embedded high expectations for conduct, resulting in lessons that are "calm and focused" and a significant reduction in suspensions.
- Inclusion is central to the school’s vision, with effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities through tools like 'pupil passports'.
- Careers education is "particularly effective," providing structured support for transitions to further study, employment, and apprenticeships.
- Pupils feel safe, value diversity, and appreciate the school’s ethos of mutual respect and social action.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure sixth-form students follow suitable courses and that teaching is embedded so students complete courses and make secure progress, particularly in A-levels.
- Leaders should refine approaches to improve pupils’ attendance, which remains above the national average.
- Leaders should continue to embed high expectations for pupils’ self-regulation at transition points and social times.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.1 |
| 2024/25 | 43.6 |
| 2025/26 | 42.1 |
| 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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