The Old Park School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now The Old Park School.
The Old Park School, Brierley Hill
The Old Park School is a special school for pupils aged 4 to 19 in Brierley Hill. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in May 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2013)
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
The Old Park School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to The Old Park School are The Old Park School (under 0.1 miles); INNOV4TE Independent School (1.1 miles, Good); Sunny Hill School (1.2 miles); and Glasshouse College (1.6 miles, Good).
The Old Park SchoolINNOV4TE Independent SchoolSunny Hill SchoolGlasshouse College
Where pupils go next
Of the 7 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
51% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 21.8% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at The Old Park School has an education, health and care plan (147 of 147 in 2026). The most common need among them is a severe learning difficulty.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Lye (West Midlands) Rail Station, about 640 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Thorns Primary School (after), 60 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, The Old Park School issued 2 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from September 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its September 2013 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
51.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with The Old Park School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Old Park School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Old Park School is in Dudley; for families living there:
- How to apply: Apply for Education Travel Support
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Brierley Hill
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Brierley Hill
Across Dudley council
Places available
3,620
Applications
3,570
Got 1st preference
87.1%
Got preferred school
98.0%
All secondary applications across Dudley council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
147
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
147
Total Pupils
100
Boys
47
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
24
Teachers
6.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,438
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
14.3%
Overall absence
37.7%
Persistent absence
130
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about The Old Park School
What are SATs results like at The Old Park School?
Of the pupils at The Old Park School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is The Old Park School's Ofsted rating?
The Old Park School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2013, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for The Old Park School?
No fixed boundary. When The Old Park School is oversubscribed, Dudley allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to The Old Park School?
The Old Park School has around 147 pupils on roll. 51% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at The Old Park School?
14.3% of sessions were missed at The Old Park School in 2024/25. 37.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to The Old Park School?
Apply through Dudley's coordinated admissions process, naming The Old Park School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
Where is The Old Park School?
The Old Park School is at Thorns Road, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2JY.