The eight Wolverhampton schools which have seen their Ofsted ratings changed this academic year - for better or worse
Some schools across the West Midlands are ending their academic year with a different grade from Ofsted than when they started - here is what changed.
A new “tougher” school grading system was implemented five years ago, but, in September 2024, inspectors no longer handed out one-word judgements for schools.
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The change has shaken up how schools are graded when Ofsted comes calling, and whether the new system is tougher or more understanding is yet to be seen - especially as the system will be replaced again this November with a broader ‘report card’ system.
However, despite the changes inspectors still did their rounds, and several schools in Wolverhampton are ending their summer term with a different rating than what they started with in September 2024.
They include success stories like St Peter's Collegiate Academy going from strength to strength and earning ‘Good’ in several areas in May 2025, and St Paul's Church of England Primary School seeing improvements across the board.
Here are the schools in Wolverhampton that saw a drastic change in their reports in the 2024/25 academic year - for better and worse.
Wolverhampton
Elston Hall Primary School: Outstanding, up from No Rating (May 16, 2025)
Elston Hall is a large primary school on the Stafford Road on the outskirts of Wolverhampton in Fordhouses. After not having a previous grading under section five of the Education Act 2005 it was rated as 'Outstanding' for 'personal development' and 'early years provision' and 'Good' for 'quality of education,' ' behaviour and attitudes,' and 'leadership and management.' Inspectors called it a: "well-led school that serves children well, where staff are calm, friendly and encouraging."
Holy Trinity Catholic School: Good, down from Outstanding (December 19, 2025)
Holy Trinity Catholic School is a primary age school that has seen some ratings fall since it was last inspected in 2014.The 'behaviour and attitude' of pupils remains at an outstanding level according to inspectors, but 'quality of education,' 'leadership and management' and 'personal development' were all graded 'Good,' down from the 'Outstanding' ratings from 11 years ago. Inspectors say: "pupils are proud to belong to this welcoming school."
Pine Green Academy: Good, up from Requires Improvement (February 12, 2025)
Pine Green Academy at the Valley Park Campus, Cromer Gardens, Wolverhampton is a 7-16-year-old Social Emotional Mental Health special school that has enjoyed major improvements since its last rating in 2022. 'Quality of education,' 'leadership and management,' and 'behaviour and attitude' have all risen from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good,' while 'personal development' has risen from 'Good' to 'Outstanding.' Inspectors say: "Pine Green Academy has been on a transformational improvement."
St. Paul's Church of England Aided Primary School: Good, up from Requires Improvement (March 26, 2025)
St. Paul's CofE Aided Primary School in Pendeford has seen an improvement across all four categories since its last inspection in 2022. Having been graded as 'Requires Improvement' across all four areas, an inspection this year revised all four ratings to 'Good.' Inspectors describe it as: "a welcoming school with a family feel."
St. Peter's Collegiate Academy: Good, up from Requires Improvement (May 6, 2025)
St. Peter's Collegiate Academy in Compton has seen ratings for 'quality of education' and 'behaviour and attitudes' increase from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good' in its recent inspection. This brings those two areas in line with 'personal development,' 'leadership and management' and 'sixth-form provision.' Inspectors found that: "pupils speak positively about the recent improvements in the school’s work."
Thomas Telford University Technical College: Outstanding, up from Good (January 16, 2025)
Thomas Telford UTC on Cambridge Street, Wolverhampton have improved in three areas since their last inspection in 2018. The school's 'behaviour and attitudes,' 'personal development' and 'sixth-form provision' has increased from 'Good' to 'Outstanding,' while its 'quality of education' and 'leadership and management' have retained their 'Good' rating. Inspectors say: "An overwhelming sense of community and mutual respect greets you as you arrive at the school."
Wednesfield Academy: Good, up from Requires Improvement (March 24, 2025)
Wednesfield Academy on Lichfield Road, Wolverhampton has achieved a 'Good' Ofsted rating in all areas, with 'quality of education' increasing from the 'Requires Improvement' rating it was given in 2022. Inspectors say: "Wednesfield Academy is a highly inclusive school where everyone is valued and where expectations for pupils to achieve well are high."
