Gospel Oak School, Tipton

In its own words: "It is our great pleasure to welcome you to Gospel Oak. We are an over-subscribed 11-18 academy that is steeped in tradition and has a reputation for first-class teaching and pastoral care. Teachers and supporting adults are dedicated to our school; they have the very highest expectations of our students in terms of their behaviour and strong academic achievement."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Gospel Oak School, we believe that every young person deserves an exceptional education-one that inspires ambition, nurtures character and opens doors to a lifetime of opportunity. We are proud to be a school where high expectations, genuine care and a relentless commitment to excellence combine to create a community in which every young person can flourish."

In 2026, pupils at Gospel Oak School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.2 in Sandwell and 47 across England.

30% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 37% in Sandwell and 47% in England.

That is up from 32.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.97: pupils made well 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 34.9, against 42.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 143 families put Gospel Oak School as their first choice and 281 named it as one of their preferences, for 160 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Gospel Oak School are Q3 Academy Tipton (1.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 34.1); Grace Academy Darlaston (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41); Ormiston SWB Academy (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.3); and St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.7).

Gospel Oak School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Gospel Oak School is one of 14 schools run by Central Region Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 37.8 in 2024/25.

Of the 220 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 76% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 52% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 34 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 44% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 15% into work.

44.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 157 pupils (13.8%) received SEN support and 22 (1.9%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Bradley Lane (West Midlands Metro), about 800 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Myrtle Terrace (opposite), 60 metres away.

In 2024/25, Gospel Oak School issued 132 suspensions, 10.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Gospel Oak School are St Martin's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles), Wednesbury Oak Academy (0.4 miles), Moorcroft Wood Academy (0.4 miles) and Glebefields Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.