Sporting Stars Academy, Stoke-on-Trent
Sporting Stars Academy is an independent school for pupils aged 14 to 19 in Stoke-on-Trent. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2025.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Sporting Stars Academy in detail
Sporting Stars Academy in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Sporting Stars Academy is a forward-thinking independent academy, working with students who have experienced struggles with their educational journey. Our aim is to unlock students’ potential so that they can achieve a brighter future."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, badminton and forest school.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
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 Sporting Stars Academy 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 Sporting Stars Academy are The Valiant School (2.1 miles, Good); Phoenix Independent School (3 miles, Good); The Registry (3.4 miles, Good); and Excellence Girls Academy (3.4 miles, Good).
The Valiant SchoolPhoenix Independent SchoolThe RegistryExcellence Girls Academy
Where pupils go next
Of the 8 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 0% went on to university or other higher education.
Who goes there
In 2026, 20 pupils (27.4%) received SEN support and 53 (72.6%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Stoke-on-Trent Rail Station, about 3.6 miles away in a straight line.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church Avenue (opposite), 320 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 49 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, burglary and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Stoke-on-Trent (280).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; 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
Sixth Form
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 July 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Sporting Stars Academy excels at getting to know each pupil as an individual and building their confidence through a carefully planned curriculum. The school has a strong focus on preparing pupils for adulthood through real work experience and volunteer placements, helping them develop pride in their achievements. Staff create a calm, supportive environment where pupils flourish and make tremendous gains both academically and socially.
Key Strengths
- Ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum tailored to individual pupil needs with strong academic and vocational routes
- Exceptional teaching of reading and oracy with a whole-school culture that builds pupil confidence
- Outstanding personal development focus with real work placements and volunteer opportunities at local organisations
- Exemplary behaviour management with skilled staff supporting pupils to self-regulate and form positive relationships
- Strong leadership and staff support with continuous professional development and excellent staff wellbeing
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with school leaders creating an open and honest culture that puts pupil interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports, path clearing at National Trust, hedgehog sanctuary work, student council, volunteer placements, college visits, employer meetings
Sporting Stars Academy is an outstanding independent school for pupils aged 14-19 with a commitment to understanding individual needs and helping pupils unlock their potential. The school has improved significantly since its previous inspection rating of 'requires improvement'.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 2 nearby schools
Latest from Sporting Stars Academy
Macmillan Coffee Morning
25 Sep 2026
Sporting Stars Sports Day - Alsager
21 Jul 2026
Sporting Stars Academy v Alpha Academy
10 Jul 2026
Clay Figure Making
1 Jul 2026
Digital Skills and Photography Workshop
30 Jun 2026
Health and Wellbeing Day
7 May 2026
From Sporting Stars Academy's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Sporting Stars Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on a bicycle.
1 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 Stoke-on-Trent is 12.5 (the median across 116 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
99%
Near capacity
73 pupils
74 places
1 spare place
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Stoke-on-Trent
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stoke-on-Trent
Across Stoke-on-Trent council
Places available
3,140
Applications
3,223
Got 1st preference
88.5%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Stoke-on-Trent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(9)
Independent School standard inspection
Met all the independent school standards.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
20
SEN Support
53
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
73
Total Pupils
56
Boys
17
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Sporting Stars Academy
What are GCSE results like at Sporting Stars Academy?
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 Sporting Stars Academy can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Sporting Stars Academy's Ofsted rating?
Sporting Stars Academy was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2025.
Does Sporting Stars Academy meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in July 2025, Sporting Stars Academy met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Sporting Stars Academy?
Sporting Stars Academy has around 73 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Sporting Stars Academy?
Sporting Stars Academy 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 Sporting Stars Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on a bicycle. 1 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 Stoke-on-Trent is 12.5 (the median across 116 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Sporting Stars Academy?
Sporting Stars Academy is at Field Avenue, Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST2 7AS.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)