Rockwood Academy
103%
Capacity
1,078
Pupils
3.1x
Demand
About Rockwood Academy
Rockwood Academy is a secondary school in Birmingham that parents appear to have mixed feelings about. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering the period from September 2024 to September 2025, only 23% of the 13 respondents said they would recommend the school to another parent, while 77% said they would not. The school is heavily oversubscribed for Year 7 entry in 2025/26, with 628 applications for 205 places — an oversubscription ratio of 3.06. Of those, 147 offers went to first-preference applicants out of 159 who put it top. On specific questions, 54% of parents disagreed that the school lets them know how their child is doing, and 54% strongly disagreed that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn. However, 69% agreed or strongly agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities, and 61% agreed or strongly agreed that their child does well at the school.
Academically, Rockwood Academy sits in a challenging position within Birmingham. Its Progress 8 score for 2023/24 is -0.06, which is rated as 'Average' and places it 53rd out of 83 secondary schools in the local authority. That score is below the Birmingham LA average of 0.09. The school’s Attainment 8 score is 36.6, and 43.9% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths (the basics measure). The EBacc entry rate is 48.3%, with 18% achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, carried out in March 2016, the school was rated Good overall, with Good for leadership and management. A subsequent ungraded inspection in April 2025 confirmed that standards are being maintained. This is a significant improvement from its previous graded inspection in March 2014, when it was rated Inadequate.
The school caters for 1,078 pupils aged 11 to 16, slightly above its capacity of 1,050. Over half of pupils (51.8%) are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Facilities include a theatre, art studios, music rooms, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. There is a wide range of SEND provisions, covering areas such as autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. Clubs include Science Club, Orchestra, Gardening, Model UN, and Film Club, while sports on offer include hockey, swimming, athletics, football, and netball. The school does not have a sixth form or nursery provision. Given its high oversubscription but mixed parent feedback, this school may suit families who prioritise access to a broad range of extracurricular activities and are comfortable with a large, urban secondary setting.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Naseby Road, Birmingham, Birmingham, B8 3HG |
| Headteacher | Richard Reeve |
| Local Authority | Birmingham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,078 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 51.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,078 / 1,050 (103% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
30 Apr 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (30 Apr 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 21 Apr 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.06)
1671st of 3,141
Nationally
165th of 371
In West Midlands
53rd 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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2315%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 120 pupils).
- FE college40%
- Sixth form college35%
- School sixth form (stay)15%
- Employment3%
- Not sustained3%
- Apprenticeship1%
93% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Ofsted Parent View
13 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed205
628
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
159 families put this school as their 1st choice (25% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- Asian75.0%
- Mixed2.7%
- White (other)1.2%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
20
Total schools
16
Oversubscribed
13
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rockwood Academy
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
Naseby Road, Birmingham
Birmingham, B8 3HG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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