Sandwell Academy
Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4LGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sandwell Academy is a secondary school in West Bromwich for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 133 schools in Sandwell. It ranks 1st of 4 secondary schools in West Bromwich. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 14 May 2024, report published 24 June 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 14 May 2024
Sandwell Academy staff and pupils share the same high aspirations. Pupils understand and follow the school's ethos to 'be brave, be kind, be proud'. Relationships between pupils and staff are courteous and respectful. Pupils support each other's needs. Pupils are happy and feel safe. A parent comment, typical of others, is: 'Teachers go above and beyond to support students reaching their full potential.' There is a purposeful atmosphere around the school. Pupils can focus on their learning well, work hard and want to learn. The majority of pupils show respectful and positive behaviours during structured lesson times. During unstructured times, such as breaks and lunch, they behave sensibly. Where pupils' behaviour is not acceptable, staff speak with them to explain the school's high expectations. This maintains the positive behaviours around the school. The school places a strong emphasis on pupils' personal development. This includes mental health and well-being. Pupils can clearly explain their understanding of diversity and equality in society. Leadership opportunities include house captaincy, and sixth-form students act as mentors to younger pupils. The extra-curricular programme is rich and diverse. Pupils regularly take part in activities such as sports, music, chess, cadets and public speaking.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, some teachers do not consistently check that all pupils understand and remember what has been learned. This means that some pupils do not fully retain and recall the necessary knowledge to support new learning. The school should ensure that all teachers check pupils' understanding and adapt their teaching accordingly so that pupils become secure in the key knowledge they need.
- In some subjects, the work and activities provided to pupils, including opportunities to use oracy and to debate and discuss topics, are not always well matched to the curriculum content. As a result, this slows pupils' learning in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that teachers set appropriate activities and work, including oracy, to promote discussions and debate matched to the curriculum content in all subjects.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
202 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
139 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,463 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250
Schools near Sandwell Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| V.A.S.E Academy | 0.3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Not published |
| Sandwell Valley School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 0.4 |
| St John Wall Catholic School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.7 |
| Holyhead School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.2 |
| Holly Lodge High School College of Science | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.1 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THOMAS TELFORD MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr James Saunders
- Phone
- 01215251700
- Address
- Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4LG
- Local authority
- Sandwell
- URN
- 134993
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.