Ormiston Forge Academy, Cradley Heath

In its own words: "A huge part of creating a functioning and healthy school community is establishing a shared perspective. Having a central vision, core values and matching aims is what helps keep the Forge Family on the pathway to success. Our vision is simple."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We have around 1,600 students aged between 11 and 19. In March 2016, October 2019 and April 2025, the Academy was graded Good by Ofsted, making us ‘Two Good’ in our educational provision. Generations of families have attended Forge and we have a strong alumni programme where former students can stay in touch. But for us it’s about knowing."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, basketball, badminton, dance and orchestra.

In 2026, pupils at Ormiston Forge Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 40.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.2 in Sandwell and 47 across England.

29% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 37% in Sandwell and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 39.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.32: 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 33.8, against 43.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 218 families put Ormiston Forge Academy as their first choice and 419 named it as one of their preferences, for 265 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 Ormiston Forge Academy are St Michael's Church of England High School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.4); The Link Academy (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.2); The Earls High School (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.8); and Windsor High School and Sixth Form (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.2).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Ormiston Forge Academy.

Ormiston Forge Academy is one of 44 schools run by Ormiston Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41 in 2024/25.

130 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Ormiston Forge Academy (as of September 2025): 65% would recommend the school, 73% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (73%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

Of the 297 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 50% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 57 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 58% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 18% into work. 11% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

42.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Old Hill Rail Station, about 750 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Best Street (opposite), 190 metres away.

In 2024/25, Ormiston Forge Academy issued 229 suspensions, 13.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Ormiston Forge Academy are Old Hill Primary School (0.3 miles), Temple Meadow Primary School (0.3 miles), Reddal Hill Primary School (0.3 miles) and Corngreaves Academy (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.