Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #2 in Staffordshire public Top 6% UK

The Friary School

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

personMr Matt Allman

corporate_farePRIMITAS LEARNING PARTNERSHIP

location_onLichfield, WS13 7EW

language Visit Website phone 1543267400

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Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2014

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Students

1,228

trending_up

Attainment 8

57.8

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GCSE Rank

#2 in Staffordshire

#330 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Friary School is a Academy converter secondary school in Lichfield, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Friary School is an academy converter in Lichfield, Staffordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of PRIMITAS LEARNING PARTNERSHIP. The school has approximately 1,220 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 57.8, placing the school #2 in Staffordshire and #330 of 3,216 nationally. 65.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 25.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 15 A-level subjects. 57.9% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 24.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.12 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2014. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

57.8

Grade 5+ E&M

65.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)25.1%

Entering EBacc61.60%

EBacc APS5.07

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.86

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64.60%

EBacc APS5.11

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.72

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.95

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.67

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57%

EBacc APS5.22

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS-

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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

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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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

-0.12

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.9%

Achieving A*–A24.1%

Achieving A*–B57.9%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.7%

A-level subjects offered15

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.18

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate98.70%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate95.80%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.7%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

No digital report timeline available.

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2014-03-11

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-03-05

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

2.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.8%(22 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,220 pupils. During this period, there were 35 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.9%, 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)	1,220	35	2.9%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,229	22	1.8%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,223	25	2.0%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,232	10	0.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,239	27	2.2%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,216	20	1.6%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,228	26	2.1%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,226	30	2.4%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,221	37	3.0%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,221	27	2.2%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,219	31	2.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,207	18	1.5%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,207	9	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,215	18	1.5%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,177	0	0.0%	0.0%	1
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,177	11	0.9%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,183	13	1.1%	4.2%	0

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

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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.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 62 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 31 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 25 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 15 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 5 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

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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.

94.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

96.0%Positive

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

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree50%

agree44%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree50%

agree38%

disagree8%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree52%

agree11%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable28%

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

yes17%

no83%

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

strongly agree68%

agree14%

disagree6%

strongly disagree12%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree73%

agree23%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree70%

agree26%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree65%

agree29%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree66%

agree30%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree73%

agree25%

disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree60%

agree32%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes96%

no4%

Top Secondary Schools in Staffordshire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Painsley Catholic College

Good

location_on Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 1LH

emoji_events #1 in LA

John Taylor High School

Outstanding

location_on Burton-on-Trent, DE13 8AZ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Endon High School

Good

location_on Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9EE

emoji_events #4 in LA

Blessed William Howard Catholic School

Good

location_on Stafford, ST17 9AB

emoji_events #5 in LA

King Edward VI School

Good

location_on Lichfield, WS14 9EE

emoji_events #6 in LA

Walton High School

Good

location_on Stafford, ST17 0LJ

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Staffordshire 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 Staffordshire

Painsley Catholic College

John Taylor High School

Endon High School

Blessed William Howard Catholic School

King Edward VI School

Walton High School