Sir John Talbot's School
110%
Capacity
873
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Sir John Talbot's School
Sir John Talbot's School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Shropshire community, welcoming children from age 11 to 19. The school has 873 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (110% of 791 places).
Ofsted has rated Sir John Talbot's School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Tim Stonall, it falls under Shropshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.18 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of D+. Additionally, ranked 1121st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 19 in Shropshire.
Sir John Talbot's School is a popular choice with families — it received 231 applications for 142 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 138 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Sir John Talbot's School include Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Science Labs, Library, Theatre, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Sports Hall.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Cricket, Rugby, Martial Arts and 4 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Drama, Debate, Science Club and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.7%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Shropshire, Sir John Talbot's School is one of the options available in the West Midlands region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Prees Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2BY |
| Headteacher | Tim Stonall |
| Local Authority | Shropshire |
| Number of Pupils | 873 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.7% |
| School Capacity | 873 / 791 (110% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Dec 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 30 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.18)
1121st of 3,141
Nationally
112th of 371
In West Midlands
3rd of 19
In Shropshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
34.2
'22/23
30.2
'23/24
24.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed142
231
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
138 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sir John Talbot's School
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
Prees Road, Whitchurch
Shropshire, SY13 2BY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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