William Brookes School

About William Brookes School

Parent experience at William Brookes School presents a mixed picture. The school was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, receiving 189 applications for 125 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.51. Of those, 108 first-preference offers were made from 109 first-preference applications, suggesting that most families who put it top of their list did secure a place. However, the most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated the school as Requires Improvement overall, a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2017. Inspectors found that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all require improvement, though the sixth-form provision was judged Good. The school has 820 pupils against a capacity of 932, so there is some room for growth. With 18.9 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average disadvantage compared with the national average.

Academically, the data paints a challenging picture. William Brookes School's Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was -0.95, which is well below average and ranks it 18th out of 19 secondary schools in Shropshire. This is significantly worse than the local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.37. The Attainment 8 score was 39.4, and just 32.7 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score was 3.41, with only 8.3 per cent of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above. In the sixth form, which is small with 36 pupils, the picture is more positive: the value-added score was -0.03, which is in line with national averages, and the average points per entry was 29.88, equivalent to a grade C. The best three A-levels averaged a C+ grade.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including science labs, tennis courts, an astro turf, a library, and a chapel. Sports provision is broad, with netball, hockey, cricket, swimming, rugby, gymnastics, badminton, rowing, and cross country. There is also a wide selection of clubs including Drama, Chess, Choir, Eco Club, Model UN, Art Club, Film Club, Science Club, Duke of Edinburgh, and Debate. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for a wide range of needs including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language communication, hearing and visual impairments, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. This school may suit families who value a broad extracurricular offer and a sixth form that performs in line with national averages, but who are prepared for the challenges indicated by the KS4 outcomes and the Requires Improvement rating.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About William Brookes School

Helpful Guides for Parents