Walsall Studio School
Walsall, WS1 1RL · Walsall · secondary school
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19th of 19 secondary schools in Walsall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.3/10 against 362 of them, against 0.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 17.5 · 2 | 46% | 0.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.09 · 2 | 38% | 0.07 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.8 · 3 | 15% | 0.04 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Walsall Studio School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 8.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. The Attainment 8 score was 26.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.09 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.1 out of 10 either way).
Getting in
The published school roll is 206 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 support pupils to close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific interventions are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students starting from similar backgrounds? How does the school structure its curriculum to ensure all pupils engage with core subjects like English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Walsall Studio School
Overview
Walsall Studio School is described as a place where "everyone is valued and included," with pupils understanding the ‘MAGIC’ ethos. The report states that relationships are "warm and respectful," and most pupils "work hard and achieve well," creating a "positive environment to learn in."
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "broad range of subjects," including vocational courses that "prepare pupils effectively for work."
- Sixth-form students engage in "ambitious, challenging and independent learning," leading to "high-quality destinations."
- The school "quickly and effectively identifies the needs of pupils with SEND," using precise information to adapt learning.
- Personal development is supported through "leadership opportunities" and activities in dance and music that "significantly enhance pupils’ learning."
- Staff workload is "carefully considered," and staff are consulted well on policy changes.
Areas to improve
- Teachers in some subjects do not "check carefully enough that all pupils understand and remember what has been learned," leading to gaps in knowledge.
- Support for pupils who struggle to read is "not as effective as it could be," and wider reading opportunities are underdeveloped.
- "Too many pupils miss school unnecessarily," which prevents them from achieving their full potential.
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 | 28.2 |
| 2024/25 | 26.9 |
| 2025/26 | 32.8 |
| 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
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