Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
About Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School is a popular choice among Birmingham families, with 728 applications for 210 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.47. Of those, 178 first-preference offers were made from 198 first-preference applications, indicating strong local demand. The school is a mixed, state secondary for ages 11 to 18 with a Roman Catholic character, led by headteacher Ciaran Clinton. It currently has 1,158 pupils on roll, just shy of its 1,190 capacity. Nearly half of its students (47.9%) are eligible for free school meals, reflecting a diverse intake. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school retained its overall Good rating, though inspectors noted concerns and the sixth form provision was graded as Requires Improvement. The leadership and management, as well as the overall effectiveness, remain Good, matching the rating from the previous graded inspection in 2018.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Oct 2023Latest monitoring visit (5 Oct 2023): School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 2 Jul 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
After-school care
15:15-16:00
Source: ilsley.bham.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications