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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136885

Barr Beacon School

Academy converter · Walsall · WS9 0RF

Ages 11–18 · 1,469 pupils · Walsall

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

50.4

Overall absence

7.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-11-22

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.19
−20+2
Attainment 850.4
English & maths grade 5+61%
English & maths grade 4+81%
EBacc entry88%

EBacc APS: 4.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.4%
Unauthorised2.9%
Authorised absence
4.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.0%
Enrolments in measure
1,342

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

1,469 pupils · 1,487 places

Pupils on roll
1,469
Boys / girls
721 / 748
School capacity
1,487
Capacity fill
1,469 / 1,487 (99%)
Free school meals
23.1%
FSM pupils
298
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: MATRIX ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
MATRIX ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Matrix Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Kate Hibbs

Location

Address
Old Hall Lane, Aldridge
Postcode
WS9 0RF
Town
Walsall
County
West Midlands
Local authority
Walsall
District
Walsall
Constituency
Aldridge-Brownhills
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Walsall, Walsall, 1,469 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 23.1%.

Open schools in Walsall
107
Secondary schools in Walsall
15
Academies among open schools in Walsall
52% (56)
Open schools in WS9
12
Secondary in WS9
4
Open schools in Walsall LA
134
Secondary in Walsall LA
18

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in WalsallNear WS9

  • Fortis Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B44 8NU · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att839.7
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+29%
    • Absence11.6%

    1.3 miles away

  • Q3 Academy Great Barr

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B43 7SD · Sandwell

    Ages 11–19

    • Att844.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence7.5%

    1.4 miles away

  • Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Birmingham · B44 9SR · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att846.9
    • P80.3
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence9.0%

    1.4 miles away

  • The Streetly Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Sutton Coldfield · B74 2EX · Walsall

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.5
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+42%
    • Absence9.1%

    1.5 miles away

  • Arena Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B42 2PY · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.7
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence8.7%

    1.5 miles away

  • Queen Mary's Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Walsall · WS1 2PG · Walsall

    Ages 11–18

    • Att874.3
    • P80.6
    • EM5+97%
    • Absence4.8%

    2.4 miles away

  • Aldridge School - A Science College

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Walsall · WS9 0BG · Walsall

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.9
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+41%
    • Absence8.2%

    2.5 miles away

  • Hamstead Hall Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B20 1HL · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.7
    • P80.1
    • EM5+42%
    • Absence8.2%

    2.5 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Kate Hibbs
Telephone
01213666600
Website
http://www.barrbeaconschool.co.uk/

Official links