Rockwood Academy, Birmingham

In its own words: "At Rockwood Academy, our central aim is to achieve excellent outcomes for all students in our care. We do this, initially, by building and effectively using robust evidence that means we can constantly share ‘what works’ for each individual child with all staff members."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Rockwood Academy is at the centre of a vibrant community on the outskirts of Birmingham, and is truly a remarkable school. We are proud to be part of the CORE Education Trust and live its four values of COLLABORATION, OPPORTUNITY, RESPECT and EXCELLENCE in all that we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, basketball, guitar, chess, Lego, film, homework club and philosophy.

In 2026, pupils at Rockwood Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 40.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.5 in Birmingham and 47 across England.

29% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Birmingham and 47% in England.

That is up from 39.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.06: pupils made about 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 39.7, against 41.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 1.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Religious Studies and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 122 families put Rockwood Academy as their first choice and 561 named it as one of their preferences, for 196 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 Rockwood Academy are Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Birmingham East (0.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56.2); Saltley Academy (0.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.8); Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth Form (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.3); and Waverley Studio College (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 16.6).

Rockwood Academy's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Rockwood Academy is one of 4 schools run by Core Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.5 in 2024/25.

13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Rockwood Academy (as of September 2025): 23% would recommend the school, 46% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (54%); the weakest, that they would recommend the school (23%).

Of the 205 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 85% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 53% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

63.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 177 pupils (16.5%) received SEN support and 13 (1.2%) 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 railway station is Adderley Park Rail Station, about 1160 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Parkfield Road (opposite), 330 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Rockwood Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Rockwood Academy issued 523 suspensions, 48.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Rockwood Academy are Nansen Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Highfield Junior and Infant School (0.2 miles), Shaw Hill Primary School (0.3 miles) and Parkfield Community School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.