Sir John Talbot's School
Whitchurch, SY13 2BY · Shropshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 20 secondary schools in Shropshire we can score. 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 3.8/10 among them, against 4.3/10 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 | 38.9 · 35 | 30% | 1.04 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.18 · 63 | 25% | 1.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.2 · 21 | 10% | 0.21 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sir John Talbot's School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in January 2024. In 2024/25, 47.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.18 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Art Club, D&T Lunch Club, and three bands. Sports include football, netball, hockey, and rugby. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is available at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. GCSE Drama students visit Theatr Clwyd.
Getting in
The published school roll is 861 pupils against a stated capacity of 791. 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 progress from Bronze to Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award? How does the school ensure consistent access to the three band groups?
What Ofsted said about Sir John Talbot's School
Overview
Sir John Talbot’s School is described as a place where pupils are "made to feel welcome" and included, underpinned by a vision of ‘achievement through caring’. The report highlights that pupils experience "first-rate opportunities for personal development" and are "extremely well prepared for life in modern Britain". While the curriculum is well-planned and progressive, the school continues to address challenges regarding behaviour and suspension rates.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well-planned" with "knowledgeable" teachers ensuring learning is progressive and builds on prior knowledge.
- Personal development is "exceptional", with a "very well planned" approach to personal, social, health and economic education that empowers pupils.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, with "constructive relationships" between the school, parents, and external agencies.
- The school has made "positive changes" to support weaker readers, including whole-school reading time and phonics practice.
- Governors and the trust provide "highly effective support", with governors who "challenge robustly and support effectively".
Areas to improve
- The school must continue to reduce the proportion of pupils suspended, as some "continue to be suspended on repeated occasions", causing them to miss out on learning time.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective".
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.7 |
| 2024/25 | 46.8 |
| 2025/26 | 40.2 |
| 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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