Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, Birmingham
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The sixth form is a real strength, with students achieving well in exams and enjoying effective pastoral support and leadership opportunities. The school has a well-planned curriculum structure and provides good careers guidance to help students prepare for their futures. Support for disadvantaged pupils facing emotional difficulties is effective and helps them re-engage with school.
Key Strengths
- Sixth form students achieve well in public examinations and receive effective teaching and pastoral support
- Safeguarding standards are met with an open culture of safety
- Well-planned curriculum structure in place for all subjects and key stages
- Careers advice and guidance help students make informed choices about next steps
- Support for disadvantaged pupils with emotional needs is generally effective
Areas for Improvement
- Many pupils lack secure knowledge in reading, writing and number facts, and some struggle with legible writing
- Teaching quality is inconsistent across subjects - too many teachers do not check understanding or address learning gaps
- Behaviour is a major concern - significant disruption at unstructured times and some pupils report racist and sexist language
- Pupils with special educational needs are not identified and supported effectively, and some do not access the curriculum well
- Attendance is improving but leaders lack clarity about causes of poor attendance
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open culture where safety is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Extracurricular Activities
Chess club, football, cricket, dance, wellbeing leaders, sports leaders, charity fundraising
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School requires special measures as it is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education. While the sixth form performs well, the main school has significant concerns across achievement, teaching, behaviour, and support for pupils with special educational needs.
At a Glance
48.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
19.6
Avg class size
54
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
97%
Near capacity
1,152 pupils
1,190 capacity
38 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Birmingham
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Birmingham
Admissions Demand - Birmingham
Places available
15,089
Applications
14,943
Got 1st preference
73.6%
Got preferred school
96.8%
Secondary admissions across Birmingham (2025/26)
Inspection History(4)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
11.32817%
Overall absence
34.84288%
Persistent absence
1,082
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
Acocks Green Primary School
Holy Souls Catholic Primary School
The Oaklands Primary School
Cottesbrooke Infant and Nursery School
Cedars Academy
Yarnfield Primary School
Kineton Green Primary School
Severne Junior Infant and Nursery School
St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Gilbertstone Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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