V.A.S.E Academy, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades V.A.S.E Academy on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school's provision for the inclusion of all pupils is a significant strength."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "There are many strengths to the school's provision for pupils' personal development and well-being."

Achievement - Expected standard. "The school takes into account the pupils' needs in the teaching of the curriculum, which means they learn the key knowledge they need."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Many pupils arrive at the school having had very poor attendance at their previous settings."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have carefully ensured that the curriculum at V.A.S.E."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the school."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "The school has recently opened provision for sixth-form students and has a small number currently on roll."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop the consistency of approaches to check pupils' understanding and adapt the learning tasks appropriately to address gaps in pupils' knowledge"; "Leaders should further embed their attendance strategies, including their engagement with parents and carers so that their actions lead to continued sustained increases in attendance".

In its own words: "At V.A.S.E Academy, we have a holistic inclusive curriculum which encapsulates our core and enhanced curriculum, providing a high quality education and experiences for our pupils that is hard to match, anywhere. Our qualified, trained and experienced outbound education team deliver our offer of animal care, outbound adventure and the environment and gardening projects."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At V.A.S.E Academy, every pupil is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to provide a personalised, supportive environment where each young person can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. We are committed to helping every pupil build confidence, develop essential life skills and reach their full potential. We understand that every pupil’s journey is unique."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football and cooking.

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 V.A.S.E Academy can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.

The nearest other independent schools to V.A.S.E Academy are Sandwell Valley School (0.7 miles, Requires improvement); The British Muslim School (1.6 miles, Requires improvement); Future First Independent School (2 miles, Inadequate); and Orion School (2.2 miles, Good).

Almost every pupil at V.A.S.E Academy has an education, health and care plan (39 of 39 in 2026).

The nearest tram or metro stop is The Hawthorns (West Midlands Metro), about 640 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Halfords Lane (near), 190 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood V.A.S.E Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.