Classpot

Shire Oak Academy

Walsall, WS9 9PASecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
1 Good · 4 Requires improvement
Jan 2025
Progress 8
-1.01
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.4×
Not oversubscribed
96 1st-choice / 218 places
Ranking
#3,024
of 3,141 nationally

About Shire Oak Academy

Shire Oak Academy is a large mixed secondary school and sixth form in Walsall, serving 1,297 pupils aged 11 to 18. It sits within a local authority that includes some of the highest-performing state secondaries in the region, such as Queen Mary's Grammar School, Queen Mary's High School, and Barr Beacon School. By contrast, Shire Oak ranks 17th out of 18 schools in Walsall on Progress 8, placing it in the bottom percentile locally. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 241 applications for 218 places, though only 96 of those were first-preference choices. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025 was a graded inspection that rated the school Inadequate overall, with behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and quality of education all judged Inadequate. The sixth form provision, however, was rated Good. This represents a significant decline from the previous inspection in April 2022, when the school was rated Requires Improvement overall.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressLichfield Road, Walsall, Walsall, WS9 9PA
HeadteacherMatthew Everett
Local AuthorityWalsall
Number of Pupils1,297
Free School Meals (FSM)39.8%
School Capacity1,297 / 1,491 (87% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 116 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

21 Jan 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Inadequate
Behaviour & Attitudes
Inadequate
Personal Development
Requires improvement
Leadership & Management
Inadequate
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 11 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Swimming PoolMusic RoomsSports HallLibraryDining HallScience LabsTennis CourtsTheatreSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

RoundersRowingFootballCross CountrySwimmingDanceMartial ArtsTennisBadminton

Clubs & Activities

DramaNewspaperGardeningDebateScience ClubModel United NationsBook ClubDuke of EdinburghYoung Enterprise

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

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyResourced ProvisionOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shire Oak Academy

Shire Oak Academy has been rated "Inadequate" by Ofsted. This means the school has been identified as needing significant improvement. Ofsted will monitor the school closely.