Fairfax
99%
Capacity
1,571
Pupils
5.6x
Demand
About Fairfax
Fairfax is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Birmingham community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,571 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 1,584 places).
Ofsted has rated Fairfax "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sean Castle, it falls under Birmingham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.13 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.6. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1846th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 59th out of 83 in Birmingham.
Fairfax is a popular choice with families — it received 1,461 applications for 260 places, making it 5.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 264 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Fairfax include ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Library, Music Rooms, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Gymnasium, Dining Hall, Tennis Courts.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics and 4 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Model UN, Art Club, Coding and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 21.6%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Birmingham, Fairfax is one of the options available in the West Midlands region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Fairfax Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B75 7JT |
| Headteacher | Sean Castle |
| Local Authority | Birmingham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,571 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.6% |
| School Capacity | 1,571 / 1,584 (99% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.13)
1846th of 3,141
Nationally
189th of 371
In West Midlands
59th of 83
In Birmingham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
32.7
'22/23
31.1
'23/24
32.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed260
1,461
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
264 families put this school as their 1st choice (18% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fairfax
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Fairfax Road, Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham, B75 7JT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
