Aldridge School - A Science College

About Aldridge School - A Science College

Aldridge School - A Science College is a popular choice among Walsall families, and the numbers back that up. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 821 applications for 262 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.13. That means more than three families applied for every spot, with 188 of the 207 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. While there isn't a published parent-view survey score, the sheer volume of applications suggests strong local confidence. The school is a mixed, non-faith secondary with a sixth form, and it currently educates 1,585 pupils, which is above its stated capacity of 1,489. Around 28.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure that gives some indication of the school's intake. Headteacher Barry Worth leads a school that has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least 2012, with its most recent graded inspection in 2017 and an ungraded visit in 2022 confirming it remains Good.

Academically, Aldridge sits slightly below the local average on the key Progress 8 measure. Its score of -0.28 is a touch lower than the Walsall LA average of -0.21, and this places the school 11th out of 18 secondaries in the borough. In national terms, it ranks in the bottom half, at the 70th percentile. The Attainment 8 score is 44.9, and 65.5% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though that drops to 41% at grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is high at 65.1%, but only 24.1% of pupils achieved the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. In the sixth form, the picture is similar: the value-added score is -0.37, rated below average, and the average points per entry is 28.27, equivalent to a C- grade. The best three A-levels average out at a grade C. It's worth noting that the school's Progress 8 in English is notably lower than in maths, which may be a factor for parents weighing subject strengths.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a theatre, science labs, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre. There are plenty of extracurricular options too, from choir and orchestra to Model UN, eco club, and a range of sports such as hockey, cricket, and swimming. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists provisions for a wide spectrum, including autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. Aldridge is a large, oversubscribed school that clearly draws strong local demand, but its academic outcomes are broadly in line with or slightly below the Walsall average. It may suit families who value a broad curriculum, a busy extracurricular programme, and a school that is well-integrated into the local community, rather than those prioritising top-tier academic league table performance.

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