The Marches School
93%
Capacity
1,396
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About The Marches School
The Marches School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Shropshire community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,396 pupils on roll and is well-filled (93% of 1,500 places).
Ofsted has rated The Marches School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sally Wilmot, it falls under Shropshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.29 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 45.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 2233rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 19 in Shropshire.
The Marches School is a popular choice with families — it received 243 applications for 191 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 191 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Marches School include Library, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Tennis, Football, Hockey and 2 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Drama, Debate, Young Enterprise and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 20.5%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Shropshire, The Marches 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Morda Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2AR |
| Headteacher | Sally Wilmot |
| Local Authority | Shropshire |
| Number of Pupils | 1,396 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,396 / 1,500 (93% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.29)
2233rd of 3,141
Nationally
238th of 371
In West Midlands
9th of 19
In Shropshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less 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
35.5
'22/23
29.4
'23/24
34.7
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed191
243
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
191 families put this school as their 1st choice (79% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Marches 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
Morda Road, Oswestry
Shropshire, SY11 2AR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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