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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 148187

City Academy

Free schools · Birmingham · B15 2EF

Ages 11–16 · 554 pupils · Birmingham

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

34.7

Overall absence

12.4%

Admissions demand

0.51 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-02-10

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

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 8-0.47
−20+2
Attainment 834.7
English & maths grade 5+27%
English & maths grade 4+44%
EBacc entry26%

EBacc APS: 3.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence12.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)37.8%
Unauthorised7.1%
Authorised absence
5.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
6.5%
Enrolments in measure
756

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

0.51 · Often has places

1st preferences

21

Places offered

148

1st-preference offers

21

Total preferences (any rank)
271
Preferred offers (top 3)
51
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1

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 fill74%

554 pupils · 750 places

Pupils on roll
554
Boys / girls
309 / 245
School capacity
750
Capacity fill
554 / 750 (74%)
Free school meals
57%
FSM pupils
316
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: CORE EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
CORE EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Core Education Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Rebecca Bakewell

Location

Address
23 Langley Walk
Postcode
B15 2EF
Town
Birmingham
County
West Midlands
Local authority
Birmingham
District
Birmingham
Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood
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 free schools (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Birmingham, Birmingham, 554 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 57%.

Open schools in Birmingham
526
Secondary schools in Birmingham
86
Academies among open schools in Birmingham
48% (254)
Open schools in B15
19
Secondary in B15
2
Open schools in Birmingham LA
521
Secondary in Birmingham LA
82

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 BirminghamNear B15

  • Ark St Alban's Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B12 0YH · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.4
    • P80.3
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence6.4%

    0.8 miles away

  • Jewellery Quarter Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools · Secondary

    Birmingham · B1 3AA · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att832.9
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+18%
    • Absence10.5%

    0.9 miles away

  • Birmingham Ormiston Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B4 7QD · Birmingham

    Ages 14–19

    • Att853.5
    • P80.1
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence11.7%

    1.1 miles away

  • Aston University Engineering Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    University technical college · Secondary

    Birmingham · B7 4AG · Birmingham

    Ages 13–19

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence7.6%

    1.4 miles away

  • St Paul's School for Girls

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Birmingham · B16 9SL · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att865.1
    • P81.2
    • EM5+82%
    • Absence5.1%

    1.4 miles away

  • BOA Digital Technologies Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools · Secondary

    Birmingham · B7 4EU · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Absence9.0%
    • FSM60.0%
    • Demand0.68

    1.5 miles away

  • Harborne Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B15 3JL · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att843.2
    • P80.3
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence6.6%

    1.5 miles away

  • Nishkam High School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools · Secondary

    Birmingham · B19 2LF · Birmingham

    Ages 11–19

    • Att852.8
    • P80.7
    • EM5+65%
    • Absence7.1%

    1.6 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Rebecca Bakewell
Telephone
01217297100
Website
http://www.corecity.academy

Official links