The Friary School

About The Friary School

The Friary School in Lichfield has been rated Good by Ofsted following its most recent ungraded inspection in March 2024, which confirmed the school remains at that level. This represents a significant improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2013, when it was rated Requires Improvement. The most telling academic metric is the school's Progress 8 score of 0.86, which is classified as well above average nationally. To put that in context, the average Progress 8 score for secondary schools in Staffordshire is -0.18, meaning pupils at The Friary School make substantially more progress than their peers across the local authority. This score places the school first out of seven secondary schools in Lichfield, and in the top 5 per cent of schools nationally. The Attainment 8 score of 57.6 further reinforces strong academic performance, with 82 per cent of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

At Key Stage 4, 59.7 per cent of pupils entered the English Baccalaureate, and 34 per cent achieved it at grade 5 or above. The school's Progress 8 breakdown shows particularly strong progress in open subjects (1.51) and English (0.78), with maths progress also positive at 0.36. At Key Stage 5, the sixth form has 89 pupils and achieves a points per entry grade of B, with the best three A-levels averaging a B grade. The average points per entry is 38.63, and 36.2 per cent of A-level entries achieved grades AAB or higher. However, the sixth form's value added score is -0.18, which is classified as below average, suggesting that while outcomes are solid, pupils do not make as much progress relative to their starting points as they do at GCSE. The school has an official sixth form and offers a range of subjects.

The Friary School is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 618 applications for 215 places, with 264 first-preference applications and 206 first-preference offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.87. The school has a capacity of 1,250 and currently has 1,220 pupils on roll. Facilities include a swimming pool, astro turf, sports hall, gymnasium, tennis courts, playing fields, science labs, music rooms, a sixth form centre, and a chapel. The school provides support for pupils with specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 18.7 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. This is a strong choice for families prioritising academic progress and a wide range of extracurricular activities including rowing, drama, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

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