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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 144952

The Link Academy

Academy sponsor led · Dudley · DY2 0PB

Ages 11–16 · 1,013 pupils · Dudley

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

39.8

Overall absence

11.1%

Admissions demand

0.94 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-05-19

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong 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 8-0.02
−20+2
Attainment 839.8
English & maths grade 5+34%
English & maths grade 4+51%
EBacc entry7%

EBacc APS: 3.3

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence11.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)34.2%
Unauthorised6.7%
Authorised absence
4.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
6.0%
Enrolments in measure
1,050

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

0.94 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

187

Places offered

202

1st-preference offers

185

Total preferences (any rank)
342
Preferred offers (top 3)
202
Applications from outside LA
17
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 fill96%

1,013 pupils · 1,050 places

Pupils on roll
1,013
Boys / girls
485 / 528
School capacity
1,050
Capacity fill
1,013 / 1,050 (96%)
Free school meals
51.2%
FSM pupils
519
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: DUDLEY ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
DUDLEY ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Dudley Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Emma Edwards-Morgan

Location

Address
Simms Lane, Netherton
Postcode
DY2 0PB
Town
Dudley
County
West Midlands
Local authority
Dudley
District
Dudley
Constituency
Stourbridge
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 sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Dudley, Dudley, 1,013 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 51.2%.

Open schools in Dudley
38
Secondary schools in Dudley
8
Academies among open schools in Dudley
61% (23)
Open schools in DY2
12
Secondary in DY2
1
Open schools in Dudley LA
118
Secondary in Dudley LA
19

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 DudleyNear DY2

  • Pegasus Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dudley · DY1 2DU · Dudley

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.9
    • P80.3
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence7.9%

    1.1 miles away

  • St James Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dudley · DY1 3JE · Dudley

    Ages 11–16

    • Att838.1
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence12.4%

    1.4 miles away

  • Ormiston Forge Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Cradley Heath · B64 6QU · Sandwell

    Ages 11–18

    • Att840.0
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+31%
    • Absence11.1%

    1.6 miles away

  • Bishop Milner Catholic College

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dudley · DY1 3BY · Dudley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.8
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+47%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.9 miles away

  • Thorns Collegiate Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Brierley Hill · DY5 2NU · Dudley

    Ages 11–16

    • Att836.5
    • P8-0.5
    • EM5+21%
    • Absence9.6%

    2.1 miles away

  • Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Oldbury · B69 2HE · Sandwell

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.9
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence9.3%

    2.3 miles away

  • The Crestwood School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Dudley · DY6 8QG · Dudley

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+37%
    • Absence10.1%

    2.7 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Emma Edwards-Morgan
Telephone
01384986550
Website
www.thelinkacademy.org.uk

Official links