Willenhall E-ACT Academy
Willenhall, WV12 4BD · Walsall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
18th of 19 secondary schools in Walsall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 1.0/10 against 338 of them, against 0.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 21.4 · 5 | 46% | 0.21 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.82 · 5 | 38% | 0.21 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.7 · 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.
Willenhall E-ACT Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 19.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.82 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. 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 (0.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Willenhall Dance Club, Theatre Group, Orchestra, Vocal Group, Drums, Badminton, Netball, and Basketball clubs. Sports include football, hockey, rugby, and netball. Arts and music activities feature Macbeth rehearsals, violin, voice, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,106 pupils against a stated capacity of 950. 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 specific support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 score is below 0? How are the various music and drama clubs scheduled alongside
What Ofsted said about Willenhall E-ACT Academy
Overview
Willenhall E-ACT Academy has undergone significant transformation, with the report highlighting an "unwavering determination" to provide high-quality education. Inspectors found that pupils’ best interests are "truly at the heart" of the school, resulting in a positive culture where students feel happy, safe, and excited about their future possibilities. The school has successfully raised attendance and improved the quality of education, though some historical gaps in older pupils' knowledge remain.
Strengths
- The curriculum has been overhauled to be "ambitious" and clearly identifies what pupils need to know, fostering a "palpable" thirst for learning.
- Pupils demonstrate "positive attitudes" and "respectful" behaviour, with social times described as "calm and well ordered."
- Strong pastoral care ensures pupils feel supported, with effective individualised help for those managing behaviour or emotions.
- The school accurately identifies needs for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they progress well.
- A comprehensive careers programme nurtures aspirations, with all Year 11 pupils in 2025 securing places in further education or training.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must ensure they "accurately assess pupils’ understanding" and remedy knowledge gaps before introducing new concepts to prevent learning barriers.
- The school needs to swiftly identify and address "gaps in reading knowledge" for some older pupils, which currently hamper their achievement across the wider curriculum.
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 | 33.3 |
| 2024/25 | 34.7 |
| 2025/26 | 32.7 |
| 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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