The Arthur Terry School
118%
Capacity
1,741
Pupils
5.1x
Demand
About The Arthur Terry School
The Arthur Terry School’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.11 sits just above the Birmingham local authority average of 0.09, placing it in the middle of the pack for a large state secondary. That might not sound dramatic, but it’s a solid, above-average result that puts the school in the top half of all secondaries nationally (ranked 1,280th out of 3,141) and 42nd out of 83 in Birmingham. What’s more interesting is how the school achieves this: its EBacc entry rate is very high at 81.6%, well above the national average, and 57.4% of pupils achieved a strong pass in English and maths (grade 5 or above). The school is also significantly oversubscribed — 1,404 applications for 277 places in 2025/26, with a 5.07 oversubscription ratio — which suggests local families see it as a reliable, well-run option.
Academically, the school performs consistently across the board. Its Attainment 8 score of 54.1 is decent, and the EBacc average point score of 5.14 reflects a broad curriculum. Digging into the Progress 8 breakdown, the strongest subject area is the EBacc subjects (0.23), while English and maths are essentially flat (‑0.02 and 0.00 respectively). The sixth form is a standout: it was rated Outstanding in its most recent Ofsted inspection, and while the value-added score of ‑0.04 is technically average, the average points per entry of 34.25 (grade C+) is respectable for a large state sixth form. Ofsted’s 2022 inspection gave the school an overall Good rating, but with Outstanding marks for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision — so the school clearly excels in the softer, pastoral and leadership areas that matter for day-to-day experience.
The school is well equipped, with facilities including a swimming pool, astro turf, theatre, and a dedicated sixth form centre. It offers a wide range of sports and clubs — from Model UN and DofE to orchestra and gardening — and has a strong SEND department covering eight different needs, including autism, dyslexia, and speech and language difficulties. With 12.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, it’s a genuinely comprehensive intake. The school is oversubscribed and popular, so families will need to apply early. It’s a good fit for parents who want a large, well-run secondary with a strong sixth form, broad extracurriculars, and a track record of solid but not stratospheric results — a dependable choice rather than a high-pressure one.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Kittoe Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B74 4RZ |
| Headteacher | Joanne Fairclough |
| Local Authority | Birmingham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,741 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,741 / 1,480 (118% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.11)
1280th of 3,141
Nationally
125th of 371
In West Midlands
42nd 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.8
'22/23
32.2
'23/24
34.3
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2360%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 235 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)60%
- FE college31%
- Apprenticeship3%
- Employment2%
- Not sustained2%
97% 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.
Where school leavers go
2022/2358%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 172 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
22%
Russell Group
24%
Top-third HE
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)58%
- Employment23%
- Not sustained11%
- Further education3%
- Apprenticeship3%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Psychology68
- Business Studies:Single60
- Biology47
- Mathematics46
- Law42
- Chemistry29
- Sociology27
- History26
- English Literature20
- Geography17
- Physics17
- Computer Studies / Computing12
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed277
1,404
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
294 families put this school as their 1st choice (21% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:50 – 15:05
Source: arthurterry.bham.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
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
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British66.7%
- Asian16.9%
- Mixed9.1%
- White (other)1.4%
- Black0.3%
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
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this 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.
6
Total schools
6
Oversubscribed
5
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Arthur Terry 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
Kittoe Road, Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham, B74 4RZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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