The Polesworth School
Tamworth, B78 1QT · Warwickshire · secondary school
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29th of 37 secondary schools in Warwickshire we can score, 38 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 876 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.0/10 among them, against 2.6/10 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 | 37.2 · 30 | 30% | 0.91 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.42 · 20 | 25% | 0.49 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.0 · 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.
The Polesworth School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with the last inspection in 2023. In 2024/25, 35.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.42 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did 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 0.8 out of 10 among them, against 2.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,459 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,541. 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 steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Polesworth School
Overview
The Polesworth School is described as an inclusive community school where pupils prosper and have a "great sense of pride." Leaders work relentlessly to prioritise pupils’ best interests, fostering positive relationships and high expectations that pupils consistently meet.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit "exemplary" behaviour, being "polite, courteous, and well mannered" with a strong desire to succeed.
- Teachers are subject experts who deliver lessons with enthusiasm, ensuring pupils are engaged and "know more and remember more."
- The school provides an "excellent careers programme" starting in Year 7, offering unbiased guidance and work experience opportunities.
- Personal development is highly effective, with pupils gaining a strong understanding of well-being, relationships, and diversity through dedicated forums and curriculum topics.
- Staff retention is high, with staff expressing pride in working at the school and a culture where they "do not want to leave."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers use assessment consistently to check pupils’ understanding before moving on, as some learners are not fully secure in their knowledge.
- Leaders need to identify and address specific gaps in the weakest readers’ knowledge to provide appropriate interventions for phonics and fluency.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "culture of vigilance" where staff know pupils well and report concerns quickly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.7 |
| 2025/26 | 42.0 |
| 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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