Flexible Learning School, Birmingham
Flexible Learning School is an independent school for pupils aged 13 to 16 in Birmingham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Flexible Learning School in detail
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Flexible Learning School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Flexible Learning School are Future First Independent School (0.3 miles, Inadequate); Orion School (0.5 miles, Good); City United Academy (CUA) (0.8 miles, Good); and Newbury Independent School (1.1 miles, Requires improvement).
Future First Independent SchoolOrion SchoolCity United Academy (CUA)Newbury Independent School
Who goes there
In 2026, 15 pupils (15.2%) received SEN support and 6 (6.1%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Jewellery Quarter (West Midlands Metro), about 400 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).
14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Goode Avenue (after), 170 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Flexible Learning School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 852 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and vehicle crime. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Birmingham (435), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Flexible Learning excels at re-engaging pupils who have struggled in mainstream education, offering them a calm, respectful environment with high expectations and personalised learning pathways. The school's outstanding personal development programme equips pupils with life skills and confidence, supported by a dedicated team who go above and beyond - even offering 24-hour support helplines. Pupils achieve well across a broad curriculum including academic and vocational studies, with particular strength in improving reading skills and building positive relationships.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional personal development programme including life skills, community engagement and understanding of diverse cultures - rated outstanding
- Skilled staff who quickly understand individual pupil needs and provide high-quality, tailored teaching that helps pupils overcome barriers to learning
- Strong behaviour culture built on positive relationships, clear expectations and rewards system that pupils, families and staff understand
- Wide range of enrichment activities and off-site visits that develop pupils' confidence and prepare them for life beyond school
- Effective early reading identification and targeted support to help pupils catch up on gaps in learning
Areas for Improvement
- Attendance rates remain too high for some pupils despite the school's efforts, causing them to miss valuable learning experiences and continuity in their education
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders ensuring staff understand procedures and the proprietor working to maintain independent school standards.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports activities, visits to museums, shops and restaurants, bowling, cooking lessons, work experience with homeless charity
Flexible Learning is an independent school for pupils aged 13-16 who have experienced disruption to their education, many having been excluded from mainstream schools. The school provides high-quality support with a carefully designed bespoke curriculum and achieves good overall effectiveness.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Flexible Learning School
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 63
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 9
- Children hurt
- 11
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 63 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 9 serious and 54 slight.
11 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 6 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise.
15 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Birmingham is 41 (the median across 517 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
71%
Available places
99 pupils
140 places
41 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Birmingham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Birmingham
Across Birmingham council
Places available
14,956
Applications
14,483
Got 1st preference
75.7%
Got preferred school
97.4%
All secondary applications across Birmingham council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(13)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
15
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
21.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
99
Total Pupils
76
Boys
23
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Flexible Learning School
What are GCSE results like at Flexible Learning School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Flexible Learning School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Flexible Learning School's Ofsted rating?
Flexible Learning School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2025.
Does Flexible Learning School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in May 2025, Flexible Learning School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Flexible Learning School?
Flexible Learning School has around 99 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Flexible Learning School?
Flexible Learning School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Flexible Learning School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 63 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 9 serious and 54 slight. 11 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 6 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise. 15 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Birmingham is 41 (the median across 517 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Flexible Learning School?
Flexible Learning School is at 23 All Saints Road, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 5QB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)