Located in Walsall, Castle School is a not applicable school, serving pupils aged 7 to 18. The school is a community special school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Castle School currently has around 230 pupils on roll, which is about 112% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 69.1% boys and 30.9% girls. Around 59.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 10.7%. Persistent absence is recorded at 34.4%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (70%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 100% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (100%) , including 0% who stay in school sixth forms and 38% progressing to further education , while 0% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Odell Road, Walsall, WS3 2ED
Website: https://www.castle.walsall.sch.uk/
Telephone: 01922710129
School Type: Community special school
Education phase: Not applicable
Local authority: Walsall
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Christine Fraser
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 104269

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 03/06/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 7 - 18
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 205
Number of Pupils: 230
Number of Boys: 159
Number of Girls: 71

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 10.7% 4%
Persistent absence: 34.4% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British70.00%161
Pakistani7.40%17
African3.90%9
White and Black Caribbean3.50%8
Other White3.50%8
Indian3.00%7
White and Asian1.30%3
Bangladeshi1.30%3
Other Asian1.30%3
Caribbean1.30%3
Other (any other ethnic group)1.30%3
Other Mixed0.90%2
Irish0.40%1
Chinese0.40%1
Unclassified0.40%1
White and Black African0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Well Below Average (-17.1)
Writing: Well Below Average (-14.9)
Maths: Well Below Average (-16.1)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
58%
Local authority average
57%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
6%
Local authority average
5%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
Town average
104.4
Local authority average
104.1
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
Town average
103.9
Local authority average
103.5
England average
104.3

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
Town average
-0.13
Local authority average
-0.37
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
Town average
32%
Local authority average
45%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
Town average
42%
Local authority average
26%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
Town average
46.0
Local authority average
39.1
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
Town average
3.9
Local authority average
3.3
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
100%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Sandbank Nursery School
Elmore Row , Bloxwich WS3 2HR
4out of 4 1,173 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Valley Nursery School
Blakenall Heath , Blakenall WS3 1HT
4out of 4 1,238 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Millfields Nursery School
Lichfield Road , Bloxwich WS3 3LU
3out of 4 1,994 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Lane Head Nursery School
High Road , WV12 4JQ
4out of 4 2,644 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Alumwell Nursery School
Primley Avenue , WS2 9UP
4out of 4 2,721 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Priory Junior Mixed and Infant School
Odell Road , Leamore WS3 2ED
- not rated 141 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Leamore Primary School
Bloxwich Road , Leamore WS3 2BB
3out of 4 517 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Christ Church Church of England Primary School
Harden Road , Leamore WS3 1EN
3out of 4 722 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Christ Church CofE Primary School
Harden Road , Leamore WS3 1EN
- not rated 722 yd Voluntary controlled school Yes Mixed More About School
Blakenall Heath Junior School
Field Road , Bloxwich WS3 3JF
- not rated 816 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Frank F Harrison Engineering College
Leamore Lane , Bloxwich WS2 7NR
- not rated 1,062 yd Foundation school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Forest Comprehensive School
Hawbush Road , WS3 1AG
- not rated 1,109 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
T P Riley Community School
Lichfield Road , Bloxwich WS3 3LX
- not rated 1,994 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Walsall Academy
Lichfield Road , Bloxwich WS3 3LX
2out of 4 1,994 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Willenhall E-ACT Academy
Furzebank Way , WV12 4BD
- not rated 2,125 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Walsall College
Wisemore Campus , WS2 8ES
- not rated 2,640 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

All-through

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Bloxwich Academy
Leamore Lane , Bloxwich WS2 7NR
3out of 4 1,062 yd Academy sponsor led Yes Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Castle School
Odell Road , Leamore WS3 2ED
- not rated 0 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Phoenix Primary EBD School
Odell Road , Leamore WS3 2ED
- not rated 141 yd Community special school Yes Mixed More About School
Phoenix Academy
Odell Road , Leamore WS3 2ED
3out of 4 141 yd Academy special converter No Mixed More About School
The Ruiz Centre
Field Road , Bloxwich WS3 3JF
- not rated 837 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Grace Academy
60 Thomas Street , Aston B6 4TN
- not rated 1,000 yd Other independent school No Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.