Ofsted: 8 schools in Walsall which have seen their ratings change this academic year - for better or worse
Some schools across the West Midlands are ending the academic year with a different grade from Ofsted than those they started with - here is what changed.
A new “tougher” school grading system was implemented five years ago, but, since September 2024, inspectors have no longer been handing out one-word judgements for schools.
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.
Despite the changes, inspectors still did their rounds, and several schools in Walsall are ending their summer term with a different rating than the one they started with in September 2024.
They include success stories like Croft Academy going from strength to strength and earning ‘Good’ in several areas in November 2024.
Others such as Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Girls Academy have declined, going from 'Good' to 'Inadequate.'
Here are the schools in Walsall that saw a change in their reports in the 2024/25 academic year - for better and worse.
Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Girls Academy: Inadequate, down from Good (June 11, 2025)
Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Girls Academy on Wednesbury Road, Walsall has declined considerably since its previous inspection in 2022. 'Personal development' has gone from 'Outstanding' to 'Good,' while 'quality of education' has fallen from 'Good' to 'Requires Improvement,' and 'leadership and management' from 'Good' to 'Inadequate.'
Inspectors said: "The proprietor has not ensured that all pupils are safe at school, and this is because parts of the school’s premises are unsafe and pose a risk of injury to pupils. Furthermore, there is currently no capacity in the leadership of the school."
Castlefort Junior Mixed and Infant School: Outstanding, up from Good (July 3, 2025)
Castlefort Junior Mixed and Infant School has seen improvements in three areas during its most recent inspection. As well as being graded 'Good' for 'quality of education' and 'leadership and management,' the school has been rated 'Outstanding' for 'behaviour and attitudes,' 'personal development' and 'early years provision.' Inspectors said: "From the moment pupils join Castlefort, they become part of a family group."
Croft Academy: Good, up from Requires Improvement (November 21, 2024)
Croft Academy on Croft Street, Walsall has shown marked improvement in 'quality of education' and 'leadership and management,' with both being upgraded from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good' in their recent inspection. The inspectors said: "Pupils feel proud to be members of Croft Academy."
Old Hall School: Outstanding, up from Good (January 22, 2025)
Old Hall Special School on Bentley Lane in Walsall have been handed five 'Outstanding' ratings across all areas of the school in their most recent inspection this year. Inspectors said: "There are no limits placed to what pupils can achieve here. As a result, pupils are very well prepared for their next stages in education and development."
Shire Oak Academy: Inadequate, down from Requires Improvement (May 12, 2025)
Shire Oak Academy on Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood has declined further having been told it 'Required Improvement' in 2022, with the school now labelled 'Inadequate'. Its 'sixth-form provisions' are considered 'Good,' but 'personal development' 'Requires Improvement,' while 'leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes' and 'quality of education' have all been rated 'Inadequate'. Inspectors believe: "Standards at Shire Oak Academy have been too low for too long, and pupils’ experiences are very poor."
St Mary's The Mount Catholic Primary School: Good, down from Outstanding (May 15, 2025)
St Mary's The Mount Catholic Primary School on Jesson Road, Walsall has seen four areas changed from 'Outstanding' to 'Good' in its latest inspection. 'Early years provision' is still considered 'Outstanding,' while 'quality of education,' 'behaviour and attitudes,' 'personal development' and 'leadership and management' are all considered 'Good'. Inspectors said students at the school are: "Happy, feel safe and love to learn."
West Midlands Education and Skills: Good, up from Requires Improvement (March 31, 2025)
West Midlands Education and Skills school on Blue Lane East, Walsall has shown marked improvement since it received a 'Requires Improvement' rating in 2023. 'Behaviour and attitudes' remain 'Good,' while 'quality of education,' 'sixth-form provisions,' 'personal development' and 'leadership and management' have been bumped up to 'Good' from 'Requires Improvement'. Inspectors said: "An ambitious new curriculum and innovative staff are driving improvements."
Woods Bank Academy: Good, up from Requires Improvement (September 19, 2024)
Woods Bank Academy on Rough Hay Road, Darlaston has shown necessary improvement in three of the four areas it was told to during its last inspection. 'Leadership and management,' 'quality of education' and 'behaviour and attitudes' at the school have been changed from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good,' joining 'personal development' at that rating. The school's 'early years provisions' still 'Require Improvement' according to Ofsted. Inspectors said: "The school has worked hard to improve the curriculum."
