Ages 
A school that lives up to its local reputation as the best in the area, with an exceptionally popular head. The boarding element brings a sense of community and – unusually for a boarding school – reflects modern Britain in its social and ethnic diversity. With the ever-improving academics, a fabulous extracurricular offering and spacious site, it’s no wonder parents increasingly choose it over traditional independent Midlands boarding schools. Not for those who yearn for something more academically or socially exclusive.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 951 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 229 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day free; Flexi boarding £6,660; Tailored Boarding £13,320 pa
- Local authority
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Paul Kilbride
Since 2014, Paul Kilbride, previously deputy head at Bethany School, Kent. Has taught in just about every type of school – state and independent, day and boarding, selective and non-selective, single-sex and mixed. Good grounding for this hybrid
Entrance
Complicated. Most join in year 7, around half as some kind of boarder and the other half day pupils. Entry requirements vary depending on the place applied for, as do deadlines. For day pupils, there is no entry testing, with the majority coming from
- Open days
- September and June
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Up to 45 per cent leave at the end of year 11, usually to sixth form colleges to do triple BTECs, plus a few apprenticeships. Seventy per cent of sixth formers to university – about a quarter to Russell Group. Nottingham Trent, Aston, Bath,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 39 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 85 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 15 per cent A*/A (41 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 27 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 90 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 19 per cent A*/A (38 per cent
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Results have been on an upward trajectory ever since the current head joined. ‘Previous heads were all about the sport but this one has brought in academic rigour, measurement and accountability, he’s done a great job,’ said a parent. The addition of
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
SENCo oversees four learning support assistants, the latter mainly supporting those with EHCPs (six when we visited). The team is known for its compassion and humour. One-to-one sessions for non-EHCP pupils with SEN (mostly dyslexia and dyspraxia, of
Arts & extracurricular
Music is the beating heart of the school. Very inclusive, very skilled staff, we heard. A quarter of pupils have instrumental lessons and there are 20 ensembles (most recently trombone – ‘my instrument, so I’m thrilled!’ said head) and bands, plus
Sport
Rugby is king, according to pupils and parents, though head says he’s ‘never been convinced we’re a rugby school’. Either way, the school is well able to hold its own against the large independent schools (both the first and U15 XV won the vase tier
Boarders
'Tailored boarding' is the umbrella term for all kinds of boarding, encompassing full, weekly and flexi. Of these, flexi is the most popular as pupils can spend up to 12 hours a day at school, taking in prep and activities, plus three or four nights
Ethos & heritage
One of those sprawling campuses that you wonder how on earth the youngsters get to know their way around so quickly – and yet they do (‘in about three days,’ reckoned one). Founded over 350 years ago, the school is a mixture of highly atmospheric
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Nurturing, caring and strict, but not overly so,’ summed up a parent. The wide range of backgrounds and needs of the pupils make it essential that the pastoral care here is effective, and it is. Some boys are on carefully monitored welfare plans but
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile telephones may only be used at permitted times and in permitted places as follows: Students in Years 7-10 may not bring mobile phones into their classrooms or use them at any time during the school day including at breaks and lunchtimes and in prep. Students in other Year groups cannot use their mobile phones outside during the school day. They are also not to be used in the dining room nor in assembly or tutor periods. Their use in the classroom and for private study is only with their teachers’ permission and limited to use associated with learning. In boarding, Years 7-10 must hand in their phones by lights out. Students in other Year groups may keep their phones but are not permitted to use them after lights out.
Pupils & parents
The school's ethnic and social diversity was the main draw for several parents we spoke to. State boarding schools are a hybrid between state and independent sector (tuition is free for all but there is a charge for boarding) and this means that you
Money matters
If you are considering boarding, OSH represents amazing value for money and is well worth a visit. Tuition is free and parents just pay for the boarding side.
- Fee information
- Day free; Flexi boarding £6,660; Tailored Boarding £13,320 pa
The last word
A school that lives up to its local reputation as the best in the area, with an exceptionally popular head. The boarding element brings a sense of community and – unusually for a boarding school – reflects modern Britain in its social and ethnic
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|
Full inspection: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
