Schools by area › Walsall › Barr Beacon School
Barr Beacon School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Academy
Old Hall Lane, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 0RF · barrbeaconschool.co.uk · 0121 366 6600
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected Nov 2022
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 51
- average Attainment 8 score. Walsall 42.9, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.3
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,469
- 99% of 1,487 places
- Local authority
- Walsall
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 23.1%
- First language not English
- 6%
- School census 2025/26
- Trust
- Matrix Academy Trust
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 333 families put the school first and 264 places were offered; 68% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 264 | 333 | 1.3▲ | 68% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 255 | 319 | 1.3▲ | 71% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 254 | 314 | 1.2▲ | 64% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 252 | 347 | 1.4▲ | 64% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 255 | 348 | 1.4▲ | 61% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 51, and 62.1% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Walsall it was 42.9, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C+ (33 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▲51 | 46 | ||
| ▲62.1% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲76.6% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲87.0% | 40.5% | ||
| ▲4.99 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 38.8 | −13.6 |
| Further education | 48.4 | +10.6 |
| Other education | 0.4 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 5.8 | +2.4 |
| Employment | 1.9 | +1.5 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 3.5 | +0.1 |
| Activity not captured | 1.2 | +0.5 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115 students | C+ (33) | Average -0.11 | |
| 115 students | C+ (33.1) | Average -0.11 | |
| 66 students | Dist+ (37.9) | Average +0.11 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 118 | C (30.3) | -0.18 |
| 2022/23 | 99 | C (28.7) | — |
| 2021/22 | 92 | B- (36.6) | — |
| 2018/19 | 99 | C- (27.8) | -0.31 |
| 2017/18 | 118 | C- (25.2) | -0.25 |
| 2016/17 | 87 | C (30.2) | -0.22 |
| 2015/16 | 106 | C- (27.1) | -0.23 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 63.9 | −5.5 |
| Other education | 0.9 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 9.8 | +5.7 |
| Employment | 19.7 | +8.5 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 4.1 | −9.2 |
| Activity not captured | 1.6 | −0.4 |
Ofsted
Barr Beacon School was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 22 November 2022, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 22 Nov 2022
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
Previously: Outstanding, graded inspection, Jan 2014
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
Jan 2014Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Jan 2011Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good
What parents said
83% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (136 replies, to 4 September 2023).
- Recommend
- 83%
- Replies
- 136
- 9% · 4 Sept 2023
based on the 79% who raised concerns
based on the 39% who had a child bullied
based on 26 parents (19%) with SEND