Erasmus Darwin Academy
Pool Road, Burntwood, WS7 3QWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Erasmus Darwin Academy is a secondary school in Burntwood for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. It ranks 17th of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 11 September 2014, report published 3 October 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 16 May 2023
Pupils are happy and achieve very well at Erasmus Darwin Academy. This is because leaders and teachers have carefully designed an ambitious curriculum. Pupils value the support that staff give them. Parents and carers are highly supportive of the school, with one saying that staff 'exceed expectations every day'. Pupils have responded very well to the school's high expectations for their conduct. The school explicitly teaches students how to behave via a well-designed behaviour curriculum. As a result, students behave respectfully to each other, to their teachers and to visitors. This means that the school is a harmonious and well-ordered community, where warm and respectful relationships characterise life and where inclusion and equality are demonstrated by all. Pupils are attentive in lessons and say that they can focus on their learning. Leaders across the school and trust have high expectations for pupils' academic achievement. Pupils are rising to these expectations thanks to the effective delivery of the curriculum. Teachers have good subject knowledge, and support pupils well to learn the curriculum. Leaders have placed pupils' personal development at the heart of their curriculum. This means that pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils appreciate the wider opportunities which are available to them, including the breakfast club, and other lunchtime and after-school activities.
What the school should improve
- Occasionally, teachers do not check well enough if pupils' learning is secure. As a result, any gaps in pupils' learning persist and pupils struggle to complete more challenging work. Leaders should ensure that all teachers precisely identify and then address any misconceptions and gaps in pupils' learning, giving them secure foundations to move to more challenging work with success.
- Leaders are yet to implement systems to support pupils with weak reading skills. This means that pupils struggle to fully engage with the curriculum. Leaders need to ensure that all pupils who are weaker readers are supported effectively to enable them to become fluent readers.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
185 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
83 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,112 pupils on roll, with places for 1,084
Schools near Erasmus Darwin Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownhills Ormiston Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 37.1 |
| Chase Terrace Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 44.3 |
| Norton Canes High School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 34.8 |
| Shire Oak Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Inadequate to good | Attainment 8: 35.0 |
| Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 38.4 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PRIMITAS LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Phil Walklate
- Phone
- 01543685828
- Address
- Pool Road, Burntwood, WS7 3QW
- Local authority
- Staffordshire
- URN
- 136886
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.