The hardest schools to get into in Walsall
Secondary: 263 families put Queen Mary's High School first in 2026 and 96 of them (37%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 51 families put St Anne's Catholic Primary School, Streetly first in 2026 and 30 of them (59%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Walsall with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Mary's High School · Walsall · grammar (11-plus) | 263 | 96 (37%) | 149 |
| 2 | Queen Mary's Grammar School · Walsall · grammar (11-plus) | 367 | 135 (37%) | 178 |
| 3 | Walsall Academy · Walsall | 373 | 184 (49%) | 202 |
| 4 | Barr Beacon School · Walsall | 333 | 226 (68%) | 264 |
| 5 | St Francis of Assisi Catholic College · Walsall · faith | 235 | 163 (69%) | 188 |
| 6 | The Streetly Academy · Sutton Coldfield | 288 | 224 (78%) | 258 |
| 7 | Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy · Walsall | 277 | 221 (80%) | 256 |
| 8 | St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall · Willenhall · faith | 253 | 214 (85%) | 238 |
| 9 | Aldridge School - A Science College · Walsall | 214 | 186 (87%) | 259 |
| 10 | Blue Coat Church of England Academy · Walsall · faith | 130 | 119 (92%) | 154 |
| 11 | Brownhills Ormiston Academy · Walsall | 129 | 123 (95%) | 147 |
| 12 | Bloxwich Academy · Walsall | 139 | 135 (97%) | 180 |
| 13 | Willenhall E-ACT Academy · Willenhall | 166 | 164 (99%) | 224 |
| 14 | Joseph Leckie Academy · Walsall | 213 | 213 (100%) | 296 |
| 15 | Grace Academy Darlaston · Wednesbury | 181 | 181 (100%) | 206 |
| 16 | West Walsall E-ACT Academy · Walsall | 158 | 158 (100%) | 216 |
| 17 | Pool Hayes Academy · Willenhall | 128 | 128 (100%) | 241 |
| 18 | Shire Oak Academy · Walsall | 67 | 67 (100%) | 128 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Walsall
What is the hardest school to get into in Walsall?
For secondary places, 263 families put Queen Mary's High School first in 2026 and 96 of them (37%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 51 families put St Anne's Catholic Primary School, Streetly first and 30 of them (59%) were offered a place.
Queen Mary's High SchoolSt Anne's Catholic Primary School, Streetly
How many families in Walsall get their first-choice school?
77.4% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 93.8% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Walsall published it in its admissions booklet.