Telford College

About Telford College

Telford College sits third out of ten secondary schools in the Telford and Wrekin local authority, placing it comfortably in the top quarter of schools locally. The two schools ahead of it are Newport Girls' High School Academy and Haberdashers' Adams, both selective institutions with higher Progress 8 scores. For a non-selective state college that takes students from age 16, this ranking is notable. The school is led by headteacher Lawrence Wood and operates as a mixed, non-religious state institution with a capacity of 1,050. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 judged the school as Good overall, though the inspection was a graded visit rather than a full section 5, so no overall effectiveness grade was assigned. What stands out in the report is that personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and sixth-form provision were all rated Outstanding. Leadership and management and quality of education were both rated Good. The school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections, with the previous full inspection in 2018 also awarding Good overall.

Academically, Telford College delivers strong results, particularly given its intake. The school's Progress 8 score of 0.41 is well above the local authority average of -0.26, meaning students here make significantly more progress than peers across Telford and Wrekin. This score places the school in the top 20% nationally. Attainment 8 sits at 50.3, and 84.4% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 3.77, though only 4.7% of students entered the EBacc combination. At A-level, the picture is similarly strong: the school's value-added score of 0.52 is rated well above average, with students achieving an average of B- across their best three A-levels. Points per entry grade is also B-, and 20% of entries were at AAB or higher. The sixth form was judged Outstanding by Ofsted, which aligns with these results. Parents are overwhelmingly positive: 96% would recommend the school, and 96% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy and feels safe.

The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 1,026 applications for 147 places in 2025/26, an oversubscription ratio of nearly 7 to 1. Of those, 410 were first-preference applications, and 121 first-preference offers were made. This level of demand reflects the school's reputation. Facilities include a theatre, science labs, art studios, music rooms, a sixth-form centre, and a library. Sports on offer include swimming, football, athletics, badminton, rounders, and martial arts, while clubs range from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Young Enterprise to Model UN and chess. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With 57.7% of students eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse and disadvantaged community, yet achieves outcomes that outstrip the local average. This is a school that suits families looking for strong academic progress, a well-regarded sixth form, and a genuinely inclusive environment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Telford College

Helpful Guides for Parents