Aston University Engineering Academy, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Aston University Engineering Academy on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), progress well through the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils understand the importance of high attendance and attend regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed a well-planned, ambitious curriculum that meets pupils' aspirations."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive school, where pupils and sixth-form students have their needs accurately identified and met."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a detailed understanding of the school's strengths and the areas that still need some further improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have constructed a well-planned and inclusive programme for pupils' personal development."

Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum that meets students' aspirations."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to refine teaching so that pupils build their knowledge and skills with even more depth and confidence as they move through the curriculum".

In 2026, pupils at Aston University Engineering Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.5 in Birmingham and 47 across England.

54% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Birmingham and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 44.1.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.4: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37.2, against 49.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 13 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Physics and Biology.

Across Birmingham, 76% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 97% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Birmingham lodged 935 appeals against secondary school offers; 674 reached a hearing and 80 succeeded (11.9% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Aston University Engineering Academy are Star King Solomon Academy (0.2 miles, Attainment 8 32.4); Birmingham Ormiston Academy (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53); BOA Digital Technologies Academy (0.4 miles); and E-ACT Heartlands Academy (0.5 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 48.7).

Aston University Engineering Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

Aston University Engineering Academy is one of 2 schools run by Aston University STEM Education Academy Trust, an academy trust.

68 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Aston University Engineering Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (91%).

Of the 80 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 96% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 36% to a further education college and 1% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 274 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 57% went on to university or other higher education, 7% to apprenticeships and 10% into work. 4% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

43% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 62 pupils (6.1%) received SEN support and 8 (0.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Curzon Street (West Midlands Metro), about 890 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Gosta Green (adjacent), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1172 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Birmingham (435), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Aston University Engineering Academy issued 48 suspensions, 5.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Aston University Engineering Academy are St Matthew's CofE Primary School (0.3 miles), St Vincent's Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles), Chilwell Croft Academy (0.6 miles) and Cromwell Junior and Infant School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.