Ormiston Horizon Academy

About Ormiston Horizon Academy

Ormiston Horizon Academy is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent for pupils aged 11 to 16. It sits within a local authority that has 17 schools of the same type, and its Progress 8 score of -1.12 places it 12th out of 13 in the LA, putting it in the bottom percentile locally. The top-performing peers in the area are Co-op Academy Stoke-On-Trent, Thistley Hough Academy, and Trentham Academy, each with positive ranking scores. The school is significantly oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 350 applications for 203 places, with 186 offers going to first-preference applicants. That level of demand suggests it holds a strong reputation among local families, despite its ranking position. The school has a capacity of 1,050 and currently houses 1,029 pupils, so it is running very close to full. Over a third of its students (36.8%) are eligible for free school meals, which is notably above the national average and reflects the socio-economic context of its intake.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023 rated it Good overall, with Good marks across all five categories including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This is a consistent rating from its previous 2018 inspection, which also awarded Good overall. However, the exam results paint a more challenging picture. The school’s Progress 8 score of -1.12 is well below average, meaning pupils typically achieve over a grade less per subject than their peers nationally. This is also significantly below the Stoke-on-Trent LA average of -0.47. Attainment 8 sits at 34.7, and only 22.3% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 13.3%, and just 1.9% of pupils entered the full EBacc and achieved a grade 5 or higher. These figures suggest the school serves a cohort that faces considerable academic challenges, and the school’s Good Ofsted rating indicates strong leadership and pastoral support rather than high exam performance.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, tennis courts, art studios, and music rooms, and runs clubs from coding and debate to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and eco club. Sports provision is similarly varied, with rowing, martial arts, and cross country alongside more traditional options. SEND support is available for pupils with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, and physical disabilities. There is no sixth form, so pupils must plan for post-16 education elsewhere. This school will suit families who value a well-structured, inclusive environment with strong pastoral care and a wide extracurricular offer, but who are realistic about the academic outcomes. The high oversubscription rate suggests it is a popular choice locally, particularly for those seeking a supportive secondary option within the Stoke-on-Trent area.

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