The Rural Enterprise Academy
Penkridge, ST19 5PH · Staffordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
52nd 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 832 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.1/10 among them, against 1.7/10 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 | 1 | 35% | 0.02 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.0 · 7 | 30% | 0.20 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 25% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.3 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Rural Enterprise Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2024-11. In 2024/25, 16.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 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 1.6 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 217 pupils against a stated capacity of 300. 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 plan to improve outcomes following the Inadequate rating? What specific support is available for pupils who are not meeting expected progress?
What Ofsted said about The Rural Enterprise Academy
Overview
The inspection judged the school’s overall effectiveness as ‘Inadequate’, noting a significant decline in standards since the previous inspection. The report states that the school is ‘failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education’ and lacks the capacity to secure necessary improvement, leading to the requirement for special measures.
Strengths
- The curriculum offers a broad range of subjects in key stage 3, including ‘creative studies’ covering languages, art, and history.
- Pupils’ behaviour in lessons is described as ‘generally calm and orderly’.
- Careers education is deemed ‘suitable’, with pupils well informed about various next steps and pathways.
- Pupils can participate in a range of clubs and trips, such as museum visits and water sports.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure safeguarding records are organised to provide effective oversight, ensuring pupils receive timely support to remain safe.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is ‘sequenced well’ and adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- The school needs to analyse attendance data rigorously and implement effective strategies to support pupils who struggle with reading.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘arrangements for safeguarding are not effective’, citing a ‘lack of routine and robust oversight’ and disorganised systems that leave pupils at risk of harm.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.7 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 36.3 |
| 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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