Schools across Sandwell

Local authority · 136 schools across 14 towns

Total Schools

136

94 primary · 22 secondary

Total Pupils

63,156

94% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

35

4 outstanding · 31 good

Capacity

66,998

3,842 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

31
96
Outstanding: 4
Good: 31
Requires Improvement: 5
Not inspected: 96

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

73.2%

KS2 Maths

72.5%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

95% full
35,564 pupils37,623 capacity

2,059 spare places

Secondary Schools

93% full
25,863 pupils27,798 capacity

1,935 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.4%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

17.8%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

120

2024/25

Absence trend across Sandwell schools

4.4%
18/19
4.4%
20/21
7.2%
21/22
7.2%
22/23
6.7%
23/24
6.4%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

23%

Plans Issued

474

Assessment Requests

940

Tribunal Cases

8

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

75%
2019
69%
2020
75%
2021
49%
2022
32%
2023
23%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

5,676 admissions

159

Lodged

(2.8%)

105

Heard

2

Successful

(2%)

Primary (infant classes)

4,772 admissions

158

Lodged

(3.3%)

104

Heard

1

Successful

(1%)

Secondary

5,490 admissions

411

Lodged

(7.5%)

354

Heard

32

Successful

(9%)

Total

11,166 admissions

570

Lodged

(5.1%)

459

Heard

34

Successful

(7%)

Total appeals lodged per year

1287
2019
1375
2020
1987
2021
1275
2022
1362
2023
1576
2024
1298
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.