Wolgarston High School, Stafford

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Wolgarston High School 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.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "As a result of very effective support, intelligent leadership and high expectations, pupils' attendance and behaviour are strong."

Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed a high-performing post-16 provision that prepares students very well for their next steps."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Typically, pupils develop their important reading, writing and mathematical knowledge well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed the curriculum appropriately so that pupils in Year 9 complete the end of their key stage 3 curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders are passionate about supporting pupils who have additional needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The trust, school leaders and those responsible for governance have a detailed and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and the areas that need to improve."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a personal development curriculum, which helps pupils deepen their knowledge over time."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "The school should continue to sharpen teachers' practice through the professional learning programme so that vulnerable pupils' progress continues to improve"; "Leaders should develop interventions that more precisely support pupils to develop reading fluency and accuracy"; "Leaders should continue to monitor and limit the impact of change on staff workload and wellbeing".

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my great pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all parents, carers, and staff members as we embark on the next chapter of Wolgarston's journey to excellence. Whether you are a returning member of our community or joining us for the first time, you are now part of something truly special."

In 2026, pupils at Wolgarston High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.7 in Staffordshire and 47 across England.

51% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 39% in Staffordshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 47.6.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.38: pupils made above 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 40.9, against 49.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 8.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

Staffordshire published that the last place offered for 2026 entry went to a family 6.802 miles away. The cut-off moves every year with the number of applications.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Wolgarston High School are Penkridge Middle School (0.5 miles, Good); The Rural Enterprise Academy (1.6 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 36.3); Cardinal Griffin Catholic College (3.1 miles, Attainment 8 38.3); and Staffordshire University Academy (3.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 33.3).

Wolgarston High School's 2026 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Wolgarston High School is one of 7 schools run by Penk Valley Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 211 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 82% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 32% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

Of the 90 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 46% went on to university or other higher education, 17% to apprenticeships and 17% into work. 18% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

13.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 91 pupils (10.7%) received SEN support and 18 (2.1%) 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 autism.

The nearest railway station is Penkridge Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wolgarston High School (inside), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 52 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).

In 2024/25, Wolgarston High School issued 89 suspensions, 10.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Wolgarston High School are Princefield First School (0.4 miles), St Michael's CofE (A) First School (0.6 miles) and Marshbrook First School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.