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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 140863

The University of Birmingham School

Free schools · Birmingham · B29 6QU

Ages 11–19 · 1,188 pupils · Birmingham

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

47.1

Overall absence

9.8%

Admissions demand

1.90 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-07-02

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.09
−20+2
Attainment 847.1
English & maths grade 5+48%
English & maths grade 4+65%
EBacc entry73%

EBacc APS: 4.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.5%
Unauthorised3.4%
Authorised absence
6.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.8%
Enrolments in measure
818

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

1.90 · Competitive

1st preferences

293

Places offered

173

1st-preference offers

120

Total preferences (any rank)
1,681
Preferred offers (top 3)
173
Applications from outside LA
16
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 fill103%

1,188 pupils · 1,150 places

Pupils on roll
1,188
Boys / girls
671 / 517
School capacity
1,150
Capacity fill
1,188 / 1,150 (103%)
Free school meals
42.5%
FSM pupils
329
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL
Academy trust
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL
Headteacher
Mr Colin Townsend

Location

Address
Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak
Postcode
B29 6QU
Town
Birmingham
Local authority
Birmingham
District
Birmingham
Constituency
Birmingham Northfield
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 11–19, in Birmingham, Birmingham, 1,188 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 42.5%.

Open schools in Birmingham
526
Secondary schools in Birmingham
86
Academies among open schools in Birmingham
48% (254)
Open schools in B29
21
Secondary in B29
3
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 B29

  • Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B30 1UL · Birmingham

    Ages 11–19

    • Att847.0
    • P80.2
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence10.5%

    0.6 miles away

  • Kings Norton Girls' School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B30 1HW · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att857.8
    • P80.6
    • EM5+68%
    • Absence7.7%

    1.2 miles away

  • E-ACT Shenley Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Birmingham · B29 4HE · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att836.2
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence10.5%

    1.3 miles away

  • Selly Park Girls' School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Birmingham · B29 7PH · Birmingham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.5
    • P80.6
    • EM5+61%
    • Absence7.5%

    1.3 miles away

  • Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B32 3AE · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.8
    • P80.5
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.6 miles away

  • St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Birmingham · B38 8AP · Birmingham

    Ages 11–18

    • Att852.2
    • P80.6
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence7.4%

    1.8 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%

    1.8 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Colin Townsend
Telephone
01217965000
Website
www.uobschool.org.uk

Official links