The short version
Below-average GCSE results. Nearly full. Rated Inadequate by Ofsted (2023).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 31.3 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2023
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
31.3
12.5 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
17%
24.7pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
26%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
79%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
69%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
6%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
16%
Based on 179 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 21 days per year on average — over a month of school.
34% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
7% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 17 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 83 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 953
- Capacity
- 92%
- FSM
- 36.6%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Trust
- FRANK FIELD EDUCATION TRUST
- Head
- Mr Paul Masher (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksMonitoring visit
4 official reports linked on this page, including 3 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
Birches Head Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST2 8DD
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmCedar Independent School
Independent · 447m away
The Excel Academy
Secondary · 787m away
Spruce House School
Independent · 897m away
Our Lady and St Benedict Catholic Academy
Primary · 1.0km away
St George and St Martin's Catholic Academy
Primary · 1.2km away
Co-op Academy Hamilton
Primary · 1.2km away
Milton Primary Academy
Primary · 1.3km away
Newfriars College
Special school · 1.3km away
Questions parents ask
Is Birches Head Academy a selective school?
No. Birches Head Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Birches Head Academy's Ofsted rating?
Birches Head Academy was rated Inadequate at its most recent inspection in July 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Birches Head Academy?
Birches Head Academy currently has 953 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Birches Head Academy take?
Birches Head Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Birches Head Academy?
Birches Head Academy is in Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DD, in the Stoke-on-Trent local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Birches Head Academy have a sixth form?
No, Birches Head Academy does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.