Pool Hayes Academy
Willenhall, WV12 4QZ · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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 — 1.8/10 against 474 of them, against 1.1/10 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 | 34% | 1.78 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 23.0 · 6 | 30% | 0.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.43 · 19 | 25% | 0.49 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.8 · 8 | 10% | 0.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Pool Hayes Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 30.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.43 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,162 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,084. 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 who are below the national median in attainment? How has the school maintained its Good Ofsted rating since the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Pool Hayes Academy
Overview
Pool Hayes Academy is described as a “calm and caring school” where pupils are happy and attend regularly. The report highlights a period of “rapid improvement” overseen by the principal, resulting in a culture of excellence where staff are subject experts and pupils behave well. Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum that prioritises personal development and ensures pupils make strong progress in most subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils build “strong, positive relationships” with teachers and feel safe, knowing staff will deal with bullying “swiftly and effectively”.
- The curriculum is well-planned in most subjects, with knowledge building effectively on prior learning, allowing pupils to approach challenging concepts with confidence.
- Teachers use assessment well to check understanding and quickly adjust teaching to fill gaps, preventing pupils from falling behind.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make “strong progress” due to skilful adaptations by staff.
- There is a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, including sports clubs and theatrical productions, which pupils value.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure curriculum planning is “equally well developed across all subjects”, as precise knowledge steps are missing in a few areas, hindering progress.
- Leaders need to ensure all teachers use assessment “consistently well” to identify and address gaps in knowledge quickly, as this is not yet happening in every lesson.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving ongoing training and acting quickly on concerns to ensure pupils receive the support they need to stay safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.2 |
| 2024/25 | 37.7 |
| 2025/26 | 36.8 |
| 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 WV12 4QZ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT