Ofsted: Good trending_up High Demand emoji_events #37 in Birmingham public Top 21% UK

The University of Birmingham School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Colin Townsend

corporate_fareTHE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL

location_onBirmingham, B29 6QU

language Visit Website phone 1217965000

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,170

trending_up

Attainment 8

45.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#40 in Birmingham

#1,641 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The University of Birmingham School is a Free schools secondary school in Birmingham, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted. Highly competitive: 1.7× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

article

School Summary

The University of Birmingham School is a free schools in Birmingham, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,177 pupils on roll, of whom 41% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, placing the school #40 in Birmingham and #1,641 of 3,216 nationally. 41.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 19.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 21 A-level subjects. 52.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 21.6% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.17 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.7× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. There are 2 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.2 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

41.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)19.7%

Entering EBacc70.20%

EBacc APS4.3

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc73.30%

EBacc APS4.41

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS4.76

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66%

EBacc APS5.02

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc83%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2018

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.17

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

205

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.3%

Achieving A*–A21.6%

Achieving A*–B52.8%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate94.6%

A-level subjects offered21

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.12

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

216

Retention rate94.40%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

191

Retention rate95.30%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

196

Retention rate97.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

16 May 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

18 April 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

1 Evaluations

2018-04-18

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.8%(33 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,177 pupils. During this period, there were 53 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,177	53	4.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,177	47	4.0%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,185	65	5.5%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,175	40	3.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,177	44	3.7%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,166	51	4.4%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,170	41	3.5%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,178	36	3.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,153	24	2.1%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,159	56	4.8%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,160	22	1.9%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,091	14	1.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,081	8	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,090	22	2.0%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,011	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,011	30	3.0%	3.2%	3
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,008	59	5.9%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	800	32	4.0%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	805	41	5.1%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	809	32	4.0%	3.8%	3
2017/18 (Summer term)	702	29	4.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	715	32	4.5%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	722	29	4.0%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	616	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	619	7	1.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	624	6	1.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 50 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 44 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 30 pupils

Physical Disability 18 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 17 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 12 pupils

Hearing Impairment 8 pupils

Profound & Multiple Learning 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

80.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

84.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree29%

agree45%

disagree12%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree22%

agree46%

disagree21%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree27%

agree30%

disagree15%

strongly disagree9%

don't know1%

not applicable18%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes32%

no68%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree38%

agree17%

disagree21%

strongly disagree17%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree43%

agree38%

disagree13%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree40%

disagree11%

strongly disagree10%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree38%

agree40%

disagree14%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree38%

agree52%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree46%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree47%

agree34%

disagree7%

strongly disagree7%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes76%

no24%

Top Secondary Schools in Birmingham

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Birmingham, B14 7QJ

emoji_events #1 in LA

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Good

location_on Sutton Coldfield, B73 5PT

emoji_events #2 in LA

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NH

emoji_events #3 in LA

King Edward VI Five Ways School

Good

location_on Birmingham, B32 4BT

emoji_events #4 in LA

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys

Outstanding

location_on Birmingham, B14 7QJ

emoji_events #5 in LA

King Edward VI Handsworth School

Outstanding

location_on Birmingham, B21 9AR

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Birmingham arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Birmingham

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School

King Edward VI Five Ways School

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys

King Edward VI Handsworth School