E-ACT Shenley Academy in Weoley Castle has been ranked among Birmingham's lowest-performing secondary schools in a national league table published by The Telegraph. The school scored just 13 out of 40 in rankings that assessed exam performance and attendance across 3,500 schools nationwide.
The ranking places Shenley Academy just above the three lowest-scoring schools in the city: Bournville School, Star King Solomon Academy and Waverley Studio College, each of which scored 12 out of 40. The Telegraph's methodology weighs factors including academic results and pupil attendance to produce a composite score for every secondary school in England.
Ofsted praises pupil welfare despite ranking
Despite the poor league table position, a recent Ofsted inspection offered a more favourable assessment of the 775-pupil school. Inspectors rated Shenley Academy as 'good' for behaviours and attitudes and for personal development, although the school still 'requires improvement' for quality of education and leadership.
In their report, Ofsted noted: "Pupils feel happy and safe at Shenley Academy. The school's high-quality pastoral support means that pupils have many members of staff who they trust." The inspection highlighted the strength of the school's pastoral care as a key positive, even as academic outcomes remain a concern.
New headteacher drives turnaround efforts
New headteacher Rash Rahman has been working to improve the school since taking over the role. He told BirminghamLive that he has conducted 80 individual meetings with parents and presented GCSE results data to demonstrate the need for change. Rahman's approach has focused on transparency and engagement with families as part of a broader strategy to raise standards.
The school has faced significant challenges in recent years, including high absence rates and 800 suspensions recorded between 2024 and 2025. These issues around achievement and attendance are likely to have contributed to the low Telegraph ranking, which weighs such factors heavily in its scoring system.
Attendance remains a priority
There are now signs of improvement at Shenley Academy, according to the school's leadership. However, improving attendance continues to be a priority for both the school and its trust, E-ACT, as they work to address the underlying issues that have affected performance.
The Telegraph's league table, published annually, ranks secondary schools across England based on a range of indicators. For Shenley Academy, the combination of exam results and attendance data places it near the bottom of the Birmingham table, despite the positive feedback from Ofsted regarding pupil wellbeing. The school's ongoing efforts under its new headteacher will be closely watched in the coming academic year as it seeks to raise its standing.
