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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 148220

Birches Head Academy

Academy converter · Stoke-on-Trent · ST2 8DD

Ages 11–16 · 925 pupils · Stoke-on-Trent

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

30.2

Overall absence

15.2%

Admissions demand

0.88 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-06-23

Category of concern

SWK

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.95
−20+2
Attainment 830.2
English & maths grade 5+16%
English & maths grade 4+32%
EBacc entry44%

EBacc APS: 2.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence15.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)43.3%
Unauthorised9.6%
Authorised absence
5.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,126

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.88 · Often has places

1st preferences

127

Places offered

197

1st-preference offers

127

Total preferences (any rank)
281
Preferred offers (top 3)
144
Applications from outside LA
5
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill89%

925 pupils · 1,040 places

Pupils on roll
925
Boys / girls
476 / 449
School capacity
1,040
Capacity fill
925 / 1,040 (89%)
Free school meals
41.1%
FSM pupils
380
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: FRANK FIELD EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
FRANK FIELD EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Frank Field Education Trust
Headteacher
Mr Paul Masher

Location

Address
Birches Head Road, Hanley
Postcode
ST2 8DD
Town
Stoke-on-Trent
County
Staffordshire
Local authority
Stoke-on-Trent
District
Stoke-on-Trent
Constituency
Stoke-on-Trent Central
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 11–16, in Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, 925 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 41.1%.

Open schools in Stoke-on-Trent
183
Secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent
25
Academies among open schools in Stoke-on-Trent
70% (129)
Open schools in ST2
17
Secondary in ST2
2
Open schools in Stoke-on-Trent LA
116
Secondary in Stoke-on-Trent LA
15

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 Stoke-on-TrentNear ST2

  • The Excel Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST1 6LG · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.8
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+31%
    • Absence10.6%

    0.5 miles away

  • Haywood Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST6 7AB · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–19

    • Att836.0
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+20%
    • Absence13.8%

    1.8 miles away

  • St Peter's CofE Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST4 2RR · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–16

    • Att837.4
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+22%
    • Absence10.3%

    2.5 miles away

  • Co-op Academy Stoke-On-Trent

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST6 4LD · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–16

    • Att845.5
    • P80.3
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence9.7%

    2.5 miles away

  • Discovery Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST2 0GA · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–16

    • Att836.3
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence11.3%

    2.7 miles away

  • St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST6 6LZ · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence8.1%

    2.7 miles away

  • Endon High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Stoke-on-Trent · ST9 9EE · Staffordshire

    Ages 11–16

    • Att848.1
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence7.8%

    2.8 miles away

  • Ormiston Horizon Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stoke on Trent · ST6 6JZ · Stoke-on-Trent

    Ages 11–16

    • Att834.7
    • P8-1.1
    • EM5+22%
    • Absence11.8%

    2.9 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Paul Masher
Telephone
01782233595
Website
http://www.bircheshead.org.uk

Official links