Waverley Studio College
84%
Capacity
251
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Waverley Studio College
Waverley Studio College is a state-funded secondary school in Birmingham that caters specifically to students aged 14 to 19, making it a smaller, more focused setting than a typical all-through secondary. With 251 pupils on roll against a capacity of 300, the school is operating below its maximum, which may appeal to families seeking a less crowded environment. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 41.9%, significantly higher than the national average, reflecting the school's role in serving a community with considerable socio-economic challenges. Despite this, demand appears manageable; the school is not oversubscribed, and its admission information does not indicate a competitive entry process. This suggests a school that is accessible and welcoming to a wide range of students, particularly those who may benefit from a smaller, more personalised setting during their final years of compulsory education.
Academically, the school's most recent data from the 2023/24 academic year shows results that are well below both local and national averages. The Progress 8 score is -1.42, meaning pupils achieved nearly one and a half grades less per subject than similar students nationally, and this places the school 82nd out of 83 schools in Birmingham on this measure. The Attainment 8 score is 26.4, and only 15.4% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared with a much higher local authority average. The EBacc entry rate is 0%, so no pupils took the full suite of EBacc subjects. In its most recent graded inspection in 2017, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with Good marks for leadership, management, and sixth-form provision. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, though the data suggests academic outcomes are an area requiring significant improvement.
The school offers a solid range of facilities including a gymnasium, sports hall, swimming pool, tennis courts, and playing fields, alongside a dedicated sixth-form centre. Sports provision is broad, covering rugby, football, gymnastics, martial arts, and swimming, while extracurricular clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Model UN, debate, and various arts options. For pupils with additional needs, the school supports a wide spectrum of SEND, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. This makes it a practical choice for families whose teenagers may thrive in a smaller, more supportive environment with a strong focus on personal development, particularly those who have struggled in larger mainstream settings. The school is non-denominational and does not offer boarding or nursery provision.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 14 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | 470 Belchers Lane, Birmingham, Birmingham, B9 5SX |
| Headteacher | Jacqueline Kler |
| Local Authority | Birmingham |
| Number of Pupils | 251 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 41.9% |
| School Capacity | 251 / 300 (84% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (23 Sept 2022): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Feb 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.42)
3095th of 3,141
Nationally
366th of 371
In West Midlands
82nd of 83
In Birmingham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2320%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 71 pupils).
- FE college44%
- School sixth form (stay)20%
- Not sustained13%
- Sixth form college7%
- Employment3%
73% 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
2022/2338%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 42 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
0%
Russell Group
0%
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)38%
- Not sustained33%
- Employment17%
- Apprenticeship2%
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- Italian3
- Urdu3
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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
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
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian49.0%
- Mixed11.6%
- White British2.8%
- White (other)0.8%
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
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given 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.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
24
Total schools
21
Oversubscribed
16
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Waverley Studio College
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
Contact Information
470 Belchers Lane, Birmingham
Birmingham, B9 5SX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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