Classpot

Ormiston Forge Academy

Sandwell, B64 6QUSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2025
Progress 8
-0.32
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
250 1st-choice / 283 places
Ranking
#2,300
of 3,141 nationally

About Ormiston Forge Academy

Ormiston Forge Academy is a large secondary school in Sandwell with 1,686 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,950, meaning it is not yet full but clearly in demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 429 applications for 283 places, with 250 of those applicants listing it as their first preference. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 1.52, so competition for places is real. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 39.8%, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school’s role in serving a community with higher-than-average deprivation. The school is mixed, non-religious, and caters for ages 11 through 18, with a dedicated Sixth Form Centre. Headteacher Lisa Mason leads a school that has seen a clear improvement trajectory: its most recent graded inspection in 2016 rated it Good overall, with Good for leadership and management and Good for sixth-form provision, and an ungraded inspection in 2025 confirmed that standards have been maintained.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressWrights Lane, Cradley Heath, Sandwell, B64 6QU
HeadteacherLisa Mason
Local AuthoritySandwell
Number of Pupils1,686
Free School Meals (FSM)39.8%
School Capacity1,686 / 1,950 (86% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 130 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

30 Apr 2025
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Latest monitoring visit (30 Apr 2025): Standards maintained

Source: Ofsted, 21 Apr 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
ICT SuiteScience LabsTheatreArt StudiosSwimming PoolMusic RoomsGymnasiumTennis CourtsLibraryPlaying FieldsSports HallDining HallSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

AthleticsDanceGymnasticsCricketTennisNetballRoundersBadmintonRowing

Clubs & Activities

OrchestraNewspaperBook ClubChessCodingChoirModel United NationsDuke of Edinburgh

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ormiston Forge Academy

Ormiston Forge Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.