Sir Graham Balfour High School
Stafford, ST16 1NR · Staffordshire · secondary school
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22nd of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 70 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 the 910 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8/10 among them, against 3.8/10 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 | 40.0 · 37 | 30% | 1.12 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.17 · 37 | 25% | 0.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.7 · 43 | 10% | 0.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sir Graham Balfour High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 37.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.17 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.4 out of 10 among them, against 3.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Vocal Group, Orchestra, Film club, Origami, Textiles, British Sign Language, and First aid clubs. Sports include badminton, basketball, netball, rugby, and football. There is an after-school club and a trip to Krakow.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,003 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,042. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Sir Graham Balfour High School
Overview
Sir Graham Balfour High School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a "warm and welcoming school" where staff cultivate "strong, nurturing relationships" with pupils. Leaders are successfully steering the school through post-pandemic changes, with a clear focus on pupil well-being and cultural capital.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy attending, with high attendance rates and a culture of "kindness, respect and compassion" evident in peer interactions.
- The curriculum is broad and well-sequenced, with teachers using assessment "skilfully to pinpoint the precise things that pupils are yet to learn."
- Behaviour has improved significantly, supported by targeted interventions that help pupils "manage their emotions more effectively."
- Disadvantaged pupils benefit from carefully designed experiences, including cultural trips, ensuring they gain the same "cultural capital" as their peers.
- Character development is a growing strength, with sixth-form pupils mentoring younger students and engaging in charitable fundraising.
Areas to improve
- Information shared with staff about pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) lacks clarity, leaving some staff unclear on how to best meet individual needs.
- Support for early-stage readers is not always well-matched to needs, as the school lacks a clear understanding of specific gaps in reading knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.7 |
| 2024/25 | 45.0 |
| 2025/26 | 44.7 |
| 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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