Fairfax is a secondary school in Sutton Coldfield, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a none religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Fairfax currently has around 1571 pupils on roll, which is about 99% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 46.2% boys and 53.8% girls. Around 21.6% 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 8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 21.2%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 16 pupils.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (67%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 96% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (89%) , including 58% who stay in school sixth forms and 27% progressing to further education , while 5% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Fairfax Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7JT
Website: http://www.fairfax.bham.sch.uk
Telephone: 01213781288
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Birmingham
Headteacher / Principal: Mr Sean Castle
Religious character: None
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 136908

Map

Ofsted Inspection

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

Ofsted inspection date: 21/05/2024

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 18
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1584
Number of Pupils: 1571
Number of Boys: 726
Number of Girls: 845

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 8% 4%
Persistent absence: 21.2% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British67.00%1053
White and Black Caribbean4.10%64
Chinese3.60%56
African3.50%55
Caribbean3.50%55
Pakistani3.00%47
Other White2.70%43
Indian2.70%42
Other Mixed2.40%37
White and Asian1.80%29
Other Asian1.60%25
Other (any other ethnic group)1.50%24
Other Black0.80%12
Unclassified0.60%10
White and Black African0.60%9
Bangladeshi0.40%7
Irish0.20%3
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Average (-0.17)
Of the 246 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 238 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-0.17
Town average
0.11
Local authority average
0.15
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
41%
Town average
56%
Local authority average
55%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
48%
Town average
62%
Local authority average
64%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
47.5
Town average
54.7
Local authority average
56.0
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
4.3
Town average
5.0
Local authority average
5.1
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
96%

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Hollyfield Junior School
Hollyfield Road , B75 7SG
- not rated 264 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Hollyfield Infant School
Hollyfield Road , B75 7SG
- not rated 264 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Hollyfield Primary School
Hollyfield Road , B75 7SG
3out of 4 264 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School
Laburnum Drive , Walmley B76 2SP
- not rated 728 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School
Laburnum Drive , Walmley B76 2SP
3out of 4 728 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School

Middle deemed primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Lindridge Junior School
Langley Hall Drive , B75 7NQ
- not rated 1,304 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Fairfax
Fairfax Road , B75 7JT
3out of 4 0 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Fairfax School
Fairfax Road , B75 7JT
- not rated 0 yd Foundation school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
The Royal Sutton School
Reddicap Heath Road , B75 7DY
3out of 4 194 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
John Willmott School
Reddicap Heath Road , B75 7DY
- not rated 194 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Plantsbrook School
Upper Holland Road , B72 1RB
- not rated 1,576 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Trinity Specialist College
The Lindridge, Lindridge Road , B75 7JB
- not rated 1,447 yd Special post 16 institution Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Highclare School St Paul's
88 Lichfield Road , B74 2SY
- not rated 2,344 yd Other independent school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Wylde Green College
245 Birmingham Road , B72 1EA
- not rated 2,698 yd Other independent school Not Applicable Boys More About School
The Shrubbery School Ltd
Walmley Ash Road , B76 1HY
- not rated 2,774 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Langley School
Trinity Road , B75 6TJ
3out of 4 3,104 yd Foundation special school No Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.