Fortis Academy
Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 8NUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Fortis Academy is a secondary school in Birmingham for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 501 schools in Birmingham. It ranks 71st of 87 secondary schools in Birmingham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 October 2023, report published 30 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 October 2023
This is a large school that is warm and welcoming. The values of 'character, resilience and aspiration' underpin all that the school does. Pupils feel safe and are well looked after. They know that there is an adult to go to when needed. The school provides strong pastoral care and everyone is welcome here. Pupils behave well. They appreciate staff being consistently firm and fair. This contributes to a calm and orderly environment throughout. Although pupils say that bullying occasionally happens, they are confident in the school's ability to deal with it. Pupils study an ambitious curriculum, with most responding well to these demands. Alongside this, the school offers a varied enrichment programme for all, including opportunities in sport, the arts, and curriculum linked visits. The school has established ties with local sports clubs and many pupils particularly enjoy basketball and table tennis. Pupils extend their learning further through special events, such as 'World Culture Day'. Pupils and sixth-form students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are well prepared to take the next steps in education, employment or training.
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not always accurately identify gaps and errors in pupils' knowledge. This means that some pupils develop misconceptions or their understanding of key content is not secure. The school should ensure that teachers use assessment precisely to establish what pupils know and can do to help better prepare them for future learning.
- Teaching approaches are not always adapted precisely enough to meet the needs of some pupils, including those with SEND. This means that some pupils do not learn elements of the curriculum as well as their peers. The school should ensure that the needs of all pupils are met consistently and effectively.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
277 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
65 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,210 pupils on roll, with places for 2,124
Schools near Fortis Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arena Academy | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 44.5 |
| Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School | 0.6 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 47.0 |
| Aspire AP School 2 | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Barr Beacon School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 51.0 |
| E-ACT North Birmingham Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 43.9 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE SHAW EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Joseph Clark
- Phone
- 01213666611
- Address
- Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 8NU
- Local authority
- Birmingham
- URN
- 143435
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.