Shire Oak Academy, Walsall
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school has made strong progress in creating a calmer, more respectful environment where pupils feel safe and cared for. New leadership has introduced clear behaviour systems and expectations that are consistently applied, leading to fewer disruptions in classrooms. Attendance is improving through practical measures like first-day calling and incentives, and pupils now have access to trusted adults who support their wellbeing.
Key Strengths
- New leadership team has established clear behaviour systems and expectations that are well understood by staff and pupils, creating a calmer and more respectful school culture
- Attendance has improved compared to last year, with persistent and severe absence showing early signs of improvement through first-day calling and incentives
- Behaviour incidents and suspensions have reduced significantly, and truancy from lessons has decreased markedly
- Relationships between pupils and staff are positive and inclusive, with pupils reporting many trusted adults to turn to
- Leaders have implemented clear, consistent expectations for teaching with structured lesson formats to help pupils learn
Areas for Improvement
- Attendance still needs further improvement to ensure systems are used consistently and interventions are timely
- Teachers need more support and training to accurately identify gaps and misconceptions in learning so they can adapt teaching to meet pupils' needs
- Vulnerable pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND, still need prioritised strategic support
- Trustees and governors need to continue strengthening oversight and challenge to ensure sustained improvement
- The school should not appoint early career teachers at this stage
Safeguarding
Safeguarding was evaluated as effective at the previous graded inspection in January 2025.
Shire Oak Academy is a secondary school in Walsall that was placed in special measures in January 2025 due to poor attendance, weak governance, inconsistent behaviour management, and inadequate curriculum implementation. This monitoring inspection in March 2026 shows that new leadership is taking effective action to improve the school.
At a Glance
44.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
116 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
20.7
Avg class size
63
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
77%
Available places
1,149 pupils
1,491 capacity
342 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Walsall
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Walsall
Admissions Demand - Walsall
Places available
4,057
Applications
3,772
Got 1st preference
75.9%
Got preferred school
93.9%
Secondary admissions across Walsall (2025/26)
Inspection History(8)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
15.26065%
Overall absence
43.39775%
Persistent absence
1,242
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Shire Oak Academy
Walsall Wood School
Castlefort Academy
Millfield Primary School
St John's Church of England Primary School
Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School
St James Academy
St Peter's Church of England Primary Academy
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
Leighswood School
Watling Street Primary School
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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