Biddulph High School

About Biddulph High School

Biddulph High School’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.75 sits well below the Staffordshire local authority average of -0.18, placing it in the bottom half of schools nationally and ranking 52nd out of 75 similar schools in the county. This is a significant gap, and it’s worth noting that the school’s ranking within Staffordshire Moorlands is 6th out of 7 schools, putting it in the 86th percentile locally — meaning most schools in its immediate area achieve stronger academic progress. The school’s attainment 8 score of 40.4 and its basics measure (56.9% achieving grade 4 or above in English and maths) offer a mixed picture: while a majority of pupils hit that baseline, the progress figure suggests that students typically arrive with lower prior attainment and don’t catch up as much as peers elsewhere. For parents comparing options, this contrast with the LA average is the single most important headline to weigh up.

At GCSE, the school’s Progress 8 breakdown shows weaknesses across all subject groups, with English at -0.77, maths at -0.58, and the EBacc pillar at -0.87, all below the national average of zero. Only 15.9% of pupils entered the EBacc, and just 10.8% achieved it at grade 5 or above — figures that are low even by local standards. In the sixth form, the picture is similarly subdued: the value added score of -0.36 is rated ‘Below average’, with an average points per entry of 31.31 (equivalent to a C grade). The best three A-levels average out at a B-, and 18.5% of entries achieved AAB or higher. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. This was a downgrade from its previous Outstanding rating in 2010, though the 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed the school remains Good.

Biddulph High is a 13-18 secondary, meaning it takes pupils from Year 9 rather than Year 7, and it has a capacity of 867 with 770 pupils on roll, so there is some room for growth. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre. Its SEND provisions cover a wide spectrum, including support for dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With 20.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake compared to the national average. Extracurricular options are plentiful — from Model UN and Young Enterprise to Duke of Edinburgh and a range of sports. This school may suit families who value a strong pastoral and SEND framework and a wide co-curricular offer, but who are prepared to look beyond the headline progress data for a fuller picture of what their child might gain.

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