Ridgeway Secondary School

About Ridgeway Secondary School

Ridgeway Secondary School in Redditch is a significantly smaller-than-average secondary, with 338 pupils on roll against a capacity that would typically accommodate more. The school serves a community with a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, standing at 38.3%, which is well above the national average and suggests a catchment with considerable socio-economic challenges. Despite this, the school is heavily oversubscribed, a clear signal of strong local demand. The parent view survey, based on 30 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows near-unanimous satisfaction: 97% of parents would recommend the school. Responses to individual questions are overwhelmingly positive, with 77% strongly agreeing that their child is happy and feels safe, and 87% strongly agreeing that the school gives SEND children the support they need. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Matt Ball.

Academically, Ridgeway holds the highest possible Ofsted rating, having been judged Outstanding in its most recent graded inspection in 2013, and an ungraded inspection in June 2025 confirmed that standards have been maintained. The leadership and management, as well as the sixth form provision, were also rated Outstanding in the 2013 inspection. While the data does not include specific Progress 8 or Attainment 8 scores for Ridgeway, the local authority average Progress 8 for Worcestershire is -0.21, which provides a useful benchmark for context. The school is one of only six Outstanding-rated secondaries out of 47 in the local authority, placing it in a small, high-performing minority. The nearest other Outstanding secondary is St Augustine's Catholic High School, 2.5 km away. Parents overwhelmingly feel the school has high expectations for their child, with 90% agreeing or strongly agreeing, and 100% agreeing or strongly agreeing that their child does well at the school.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a swimming pool, sports hall, tennis courts, ICT suite, library, and a chapel, alongside a sixth form centre despite the school only going to Year 11. Sports provision covers gymnastics, netball, football, tennis, rugby, rounders, and swimming, while extracurricular clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Model UN, Young Enterprise, and eco club. The school has identified SEND provisions for severe learning difficulty and autistic spectrum disorder, and the parent view data strongly endorses this support. Ridgeway is a good fit for families in Redditch who value a small, community-focused secondary with a strong behaviour culture and high parental endorsement, particularly those with children who have SEND needs. The high FSM intake and oversubscription suggest a school that is deeply embedded in its local area and trusted by families facing economic disadvantage.

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