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#15 in Best Secondary Schools in Walsall
Walsall Studio School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Walsall Studio School
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Walsall Studio School
- Secondary
- Walsall WS1 1RL
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Ofsted report
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| The quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Overall effectiveness at previous inspection | Good |
| Sixth-form provision | Good |
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This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: Students achieve well in practical subjects and many continue these studies post-graduation.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Students are keen to learn, attend regularly, and behave well in a calm and orderly school.
Current Educational Practices: Teachers plan learning well in almost all subjects, particularly vocational subjects and English.
Strengths and Challenges: Strengths include vocational subject success; challenges involve recent improvements in mathematics.
Parent Satisfaction: 16 responses to Ofsted’s Parent View questionnaire with largely positive feedback.
Communication: Parents' views considered through Ofsted’s Parent View questionnaire.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders challenge and chase if they believe that a student is not getting the right support.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Leaders have recently made changes in mathematics curriculum to improve standards.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Bullying is very rare and quickly dealt with when it does occur.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Pastoral care is strong, every student has a personal coach, and staff are vigilant in safeguarding.
Extracurricular Offerings: Students perform in other schools and collect food for the local food bank.
Career Counselling Services: Every student has a personal coach who helps with careers advice.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Students not achieving grade 4 in English and mathematics in Year 11 continue these into sixth form.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Currently without a SENCo but supported by The Mercian Trust. Gaps in support identified, especially in reading.
Subjects Offered: Students study mainly vocational subjects, alongside English, mathematics, and science.
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About Us
Walsall Studio School is a Secondary, Co-Ed school located in West Midlands County, West Midlands.
It has 179 students from age 14-19 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 10 : 1.
At this school, 17% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
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Walsall Studio School
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From the Walsall Studio School
In a 4-year transformational journey from school student (at the start of Y10) to young creative professional, Walsall Studio School is a specialist studio school with a bespoke curriculum and pedagogy designed to engage, enable and extend students to catch up (where required), step up, and then reach for greatness (at the end of sixth form study).
Students who complete KS5 earn the highest marks available, go on to some of the greatest universities, conservatories, and acting schools in the nation, and start working right away for local and well-known national companies like IBM and the BBC.
One of the top-performing 14–19 academies in the nation is Walsall Studio School (headline KS5 APS average grades and progress VA for all KS5 performance measures).
The studio school's mission is best summed up by its founders' dedication to social mobility; the institution has a strong track record of helping underprivileged and vulnerable students participate in their education and the larger community.
Leaders have overseen the application and pre-opening phases of a new AP Free School in response to the extremely high demand for Alternative Provision places in Walsall.
When it started operating in January 2019, The Ladder (AP) Free School became the trust's sixth institution.
The governors and administrators of Walsall Studio School have been able to better explain and clarify the differences between our mainstream studio school and the alternative provision free school thanks to their leadership in this innovation.
The DFE chose Walsall Studio School to lead the L3 Core Maths pilot in 2015, and it has since increased the number of pupils (especially girls) earning advanced-level math credentials by the age of 18.
The school played a key role in preparing teachers with a second specialisation in mathematics after being named a Lead School for TSST Maths in 2016.
Dan Parkes, Executive Principal of Walsall Studio School, is the Chair and Director of the Network. Walsall Studio School is a pioneer institution in the national studio schools movement.
In order to fulfil the goals of the government's social mobility plan, Walsall Studio School is a key player in defining the national movement for studio schools. Developing Talent and Realizing Potential.
Academic, Technical, and Vocational Excellence excellent instruction that gives students "actual currency" in interviews with businesses or institutions (as well as educational experiences that provide students with a competitive advantage over other students with the same qualifications).
Employability and Enterprise Skills make use of the CREATE framework to encourage, test, and track students' development of the essential life and job skills.
Fully inclusive of students of all abilities (with the hope that every child will realise their full potential) and in accordance with the national Schools Admissions Code.
Read more
Students who complete KS5 earn the highest marks available, go on to some of the greatest universities, conservatories, and acting schools in the nation, and start working right away for local and well-known national companies like IBM and the BBC.
One of the top-performing 14–19 academies in the nation is Walsall Studio School (headline KS5 APS average grades and progress VA for all KS5 performance measures).
The studio school's mission is best summed up by its founders' dedication to social mobility; the institution has a strong track record of helping underprivileged and vulnerable students participate in their education and the larger community.
Leaders have overseen the application and pre-opening phases of a new AP Free School in response to the extremely high demand for Alternative Provision places in Walsall.
When it started operating in January 2019, The Ladder (AP) Free School became the trust's sixth institution.
The governors and administrators of Walsall Studio School have been able to better explain and clarify the differences between our mainstream studio school and the alternative provision free school thanks to their leadership in this innovation.
The DFE chose Walsall Studio School to lead the L3 Core Maths pilot in 2015, and it has since increased the number of pupils (especially girls) earning advanced-level math credentials by the age of 18.
The school played a key role in preparing teachers with a second specialisation in mathematics after being named a Lead School for TSST Maths in 2016.
Dan Parkes, Executive Principal of Walsall Studio School, is the Chair and Director of the Network. Walsall Studio School is a pioneer institution in the national studio schools movement.
In order to fulfil the goals of the government's social mobility plan, Walsall Studio School is a key player in defining the national movement for studio schools. Developing Talent and Realizing Potential.
Academic, Technical, and Vocational Excellence excellent instruction that gives students "actual currency" in interviews with businesses or institutions (as well as educational experiences that provide students with a competitive advantage over other students with the same qualifications).
Employability and Enterprise Skills make use of the CREATE framework to encourage, test, and track students' development of the essential life and job skills.
Fully inclusive of students of all abilities (with the hope that every child will realise their full potential) and in accordance with the national Schools Admissions Code.
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| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Free Schools | Free Schools |
| Snobe grade |
B-
|
A-
|
| Ofset report | Good | Outstanding |
| Age range | 14-19 | 11-18 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 10.5 | 8.3 |
| Proficient Math | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 17% | 0% |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | - | - |
| Day Fees | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -1.21 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 35.5 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 17% | 32% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 50% | 47.31% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 0% | 26.41% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 0% | 10.83% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 0% | 15.07% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 2.34 | 2.97 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 88% | 89.14% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 51 | 158 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 75% | 82.68% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 33% | 40.32% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 37% | 40.14% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.27% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 4% | 2.14% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 2.27% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 14% | 4.18% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.58 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 38.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 24% | 37.61% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 50% | 51.75% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 0% | 25.07% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 0% | 13.54% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 0% | 17.68% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 2.57 | 3.25 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 94% | 91.55% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 52 | 153 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 88% | 86.86% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 31% | 37.68% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 54% | 43.64% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 2% | 0.41% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 2% | 5.27% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 2% | 1.36% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 3.27% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -1.17 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 28.8 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 9% | 35.08% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 34% 9 | 52.62% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 0% | 25.96% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 0% | 12.81% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 0% | 17.5% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 1.03 | 3.29 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 84% | 92.52% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 55 | 145 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 80% | 86.9% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 31% | 34.71% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 49% | 43.43% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.19% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 8.43% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 3.05% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 2.52% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -1.06 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 31.9 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 9% 6 | 35.16% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 25% 6 | 51% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 0% | 29.4% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 0% | 13.96% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 0% | 18.8% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 2.1 | 3.33 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 89% | 89.57% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 54 | 149 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 80% | 78.81% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 26% | 31.19% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | 52% | 43.57% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 7.9% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 2.95% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 2.05% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -1.4 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 28.7 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 15% | 36.2% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 31% | 53.92% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 0% | 26.72% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 0% | 17.04% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 0% | 18.12% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 62% | 87.52% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 29 | 150 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | - | 68.67% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | - | 29.52% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | 41% | 44.52% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | - | 6.81% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 4.67% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 2.76% | 2.45% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 20 | 26.26 | 30.01 |
| Average grade | D | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | - | 23.16 | 29.57 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | - | - | - |
| AAB or higher | - | 7.17% | 13.67% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 70 | 157 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 49% | 60.78% | 58.58% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 1% | 6.11% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 23% | 18.17% | 21.16% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 26% | 12.06% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | - | 30.7 | 33.41 |
| Average grade | - | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | - | 27.01 | 32.47 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | - | - | - |
| AAB or higher | - | 11.34% | 17.7% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 78 | 192 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 64% | 64.72% | 60.67% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 1% | 5.78% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 6% | 11.78% | 17.73% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 22% | 12.56% | 10.69% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | - | 24.34 | 29.39 |
| Average grade | - | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | - | 24.85 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | - | - | - |
| AAB or higher | - | 7.81% | 13.07% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 63 | 170 | 232 |
| Students staying in education | 56% | 63.17% | 57.31% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 0% | 10.22% | 7.77% |
| Students entering employment | 17% | 12.17% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 14% | 9.11% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 19.20 14 | 24.15 | 29.03 |
| Average grade | D | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | - | 23.53 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | - | - | - |
| AAB or higher | - | 6.29% | 13.37% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 2 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 15 | 15.26% | 31.5% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 7% | 6.95% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 27% | 10.79% | 15.81% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 20% | 5.21% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.33 | 25.94 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | - | 26.03 | 27.73 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | - | - | - |
| AAB or higher | - | 7.29% | 12.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 0 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 7 | 19.26% | 36.26% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | - | 6.79% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 23% | 14.05% | 20.03% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 4.05% | 4.23% |
Best Schools 2025
Walsall Studio School Rankings
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 14th Apr 2025 - 25th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 22nd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 13th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 26th Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 21st Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
10 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Walsall Studio School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1
