Two Birmingham secondaries start term in special measures
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School and Moseley School will begin September in special measures after Ofsted found both failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.
Category : School Inspections
Sandwell among worst GCSE results in England
Sandwell ranked 10th worst in England for GCSE grade 7 or above at 13.1%, new data reveals. Stoke-on-Trent was 8th worst at 11.9%.
DfE confirms new school absence rules for illness from September
The Department for Education has confirmed school absence rules for illness from September, with each mainstream state school receiving a specialised target as illness accounts for 50% of missed days.
GCSE Grade Boundaries 2026: AQA, OCR, Edexcel Release Details
GCSE grade boundaries for AQA, OCR, Edexcel and other boards will be released at 8am on Thursday August 20, 2026. A standard pass is grade 4, a strong pass grade 5. Boundaries vary by subject and exam board.
School attendance rules from Sept 1 with £160 fines
From September 1, every mainstream state school in England gets an individual attendance target under new DfE rules. Parents face fines up to £160 for unauthorised absences.
West Midlands Schools Get Top 'Exceptional' Ofsted Ratings
Several West Midlands schools have ended the summer term with Ofsted's new top 'exceptional' rating, a rare achievement under the overhauled inspection system.
West Midlands Schools Get Exceptional Ofsted Ratings
Several West Midlands schools have been awarded the new 'exceptional' Ofsted rating, the top grade under the overhauled system, for achievements in attendance, behaviour, and leadership.
Bournville School Among Worst Despite Area's Best Place Title
Bournville School has been ranked among the three worst secondary schools in Birmingham in a new league table, just months after the area was named the best place to live in the city.
Walsall Schools Earn Exceptional Ofsted Ratings Despite Poverty
Two Walsall primary schools achieve exceptional Ofsted ratings despite being in one of the UK's worst child poverty areas, with 42% of children living in poverty.
Cardinal Wiseman School Gets Top Ofsted Grades in Birmingham
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Kingstanding receives 'strong standard' ratings in five areas from Ofsted, with inspectors praising pupils' 'impeccable' behaviour.
Ofqual Monitors A-Level Maths Paper Marking After Complaints
Nearly 19,000 students signed a petition after Edexcel A-Level Maths Paper 1 was deemed 'impossible'. Ofqual is monitoring marking, and Pearson says grade boundaries will reflect difficulty.
Nine Pupils Hospitalised After Eating Seeds at School
Nine Year 6 pupils from Jesse Gray Primary School in West Bridgford were hospitalised as a precaution after eating seeds from trees on school grounds. All were discharged unharmed.
Three New School Allergy Rules from Sept 2026
From September 2026, all UK schools must stock spare adrenaline auto-injectors, provide staff allergy training, and have a dedicated allergy policy. The new rules aim to save lives and reduce lost learning.
Ofsted Hands 'Strong' Ratings to Birmingham Schools
Ofsted has awarded 'strong standard' ratings to several Birmingham and West Midlands schools under its new inspection framework, highlighting excellence in key areas.
Overcrowded SEND school staff strike over pupil increase
Teachers and staff at The Orchard School in Oldbury have gone on strike, citing serious safety concerns due to overcrowding, lack of resources, and plans to increase pupil numbers.
Three Schools Get Rare 'Exceptional' Ofsted Ratings
Three schools in the West Midlands have been awarded the new 'exceptional' Ofsted rating, a rare honour under the updated inspection system.
Ofsted Reports Progress at Star King Solomon Academy
Ofsted finds improvements at Star King Solomon Academy in Birmingham after an inadequate rating, but attendance and phonics still need work.
Ofsted Reports Improvement at Jewellery Quarter Academy
Ofsted found improvements at Jewellery Quarter Academy, previously rated inadequate. Attendance and behaviour are up, and staffing is stable.
108 Birmingham Shops Warned Over Illegal Vape Sales
Over 100 Birmingham shops received council warnings for breaking vape laws in 2025, with enforcement raids seizing illicit products under Operation Cloud.
Ofsted: George Dixon Primary Needs Major Improvement
Ofsted has issued a damning report on George Dixon Primary School in Birmingham, rating it 'urgent improvement' in achievement and teaching, and 'needs attention' in all other areas.
Shire Oak Academy Shows Improvement After Ofsted Criticism
Ofsted returns to Shire Oak Academy in Walsall, noting improved attendance and behaviour after a new headteacher was appointed. The school was rated inadequate in January 2025.
Ofsted on Moseley School: Special Measures Explained
Ofsted places Moseley School and Sixth Form in special measures, citing failure in curriculum, teaching, and leadership. School accepts findings and begins improvements.
Urgent fire safety works at Birmingham school spark concern
Birmingham councillors express concern and disappointment as £2.49m urgent fire safety and roof works approved for Lindsworth School, which supports children with special needs.
Moseley School placed into special measures by Ofsted
Birmingham's Moseley School and Sixth Form has been placed into special measures by Ofsted over 'unacceptable' teaching and leadership failures, with urgent improvements demanded.
Ofsted Praises Birmingham's Bishop Challoner Catholic College
Ofsted inspectors have praised Bishop Challoner Catholic College in Kings Heath, awarding it strong ratings across key areas including attendance, behaviour, and leadership.
Ofsted Update on Birmingham's Beaufort School Progress
Ofsted inspectors have noted positive developments at Beaufort Special School in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, which remains in special measures but is moving in the right direction after significant leadership changes.
First West Midlands Schools Rated Under New Ofsted System
Ofsted has introduced a comprehensive new grading framework for schools, replacing single-word ratings with detailed report cards across multiple educational areas.
Ofsted's New School Inspection System Launches in Midlands
Ofsted has implemented a major overhaul of school inspections, replacing single-word grades with detailed report cards. Three West Midlands schools have received the first evaluations under this new system.
Wolverhampton school transformed in Ofsted triumph
A Wolverhampton secondary school, once among the worst in the country, achieves 'strong standard' in Ofsted's new grading system. Discover the incredible turnaround story.
First Midlands schools get new Ofsted report card grades
Ofsted's new inspection system replaces one-word grades with detailed report cards. See the first ratings for West Midlands schools and what the changes mean for parents.
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