Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy
Walsall, WS4 1BW · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th 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 — 2.7/10 against 423 of them, against 1.5/10 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 | 28.8 · 14 | 30% | 0.40 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.49 · 16 | 25% | 0.41 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.6 · 18 | 10% | 0.18 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 25.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.49 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 (2.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers Army Cadets.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,419 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,830. 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 Army Cadets integrated into the wider curriculum or personal development programme?
What Ofsted said about Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy
Overview
This is a “caring and welcoming school” where leaders are determined to help pupils “achieve their best” and overcome challenges. Staff know pupils as individuals, fostering a safe environment where students display “positive attitudes to learning” and behave respectfully. The report highlights a “broad, ambitious and effective curriculum” that prepares pupils well for future education and life beyond school.
Strengths
- Leaders have designed a curriculum that gives pupils a “positive foundation” for GCSE choices, with teachers carefully sequencing content to build knowledge.
- Pupils behave well, with “bullying [being] not a problem,” and lessons are typically calm due to students’ respectful attitudes.
- Staff are “ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities,” ensuring they access the same curriculum as peers through thorough assessment.
- Sixth-form students act as “good ambassadors” and are well prepared for their next steps, with many receiving support to attend university.
- Governors provide “clear and decisive strategic direction” and effectively monitor the school’s strengths and safety.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure staff adapt teaching appropriately to meet the needs of lower-attaining pupils, as inconsistent adaptations currently slow their progress.
- Staff should make more of opportunities for pupils to read aloud and practise reading comprehension across the curriculum to strengthen fluency.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and working well with external agencies to ensure vulnerable pupils receive the right help.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.4 |
| 2024/25 | 38.4 |
| 2025/26 | 39.6 |
| 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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