Ages 
A much-needed local school, which by many accounts is proving to be a resounding success. A great option for parents who want a smaller school for their child that doesn’t shy away from discipline and high standards. Veers towards the artistic child. As a parent, be prepared to muck in.
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Headteacher
Head
Lucy Harrison
Since 2015, Lucy Harrison. Read history at Birmingham, followed by a PGCE also at Birmingham and then a master’s in educational leadership at Warwick. One could say her path was predetermined, having a head teacher for a mother and a lecturer for a
Entrance
Heavily oversubscribed with pupils mostly living within about half a mile. No longer has a feeder school system, though most come from Martin, Brooklands, Garden Suburb and Holy Trinity primaries, which the school says ‘is good for the community and
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Archer currently has no sixth form, so pupils leave after GCSEs. The head told us: ‘I always wanted Archer to be an 11-18 school and we did put in an application, but it was rejected.’ This, we understand, is largely due to space.
But every cloud…
Latest results
In 2024, 43 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 82 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English.
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.
Teaching & learning
Extremely high performing subjects in recent years include Italian, art, chemistry, physics and biology. French or Spanish from year 7; nearly everyone takes one of these to GCSE. Vocational options include a BTEC in health and social care and a
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
There's a well-resourced SEND department with a very involved and dedicated SENDCo. They have wheelchair facilities and are completely DDA compliant: ‘We are a very inclusive school.’
Arts & extracurricular
For the artistic child, this is definitely a school to consider. Possibly the most ambitious arts offering we have seen for a long time. Hosts an annual week-long literary festival. A recent one focused on Shakespeare, with debates around Romeo and
Sport
Sport historically not the strongest subject, but that is slowly changing. Boys' football is starting to thrive with extra help from a parent who is also a professional football coach. Cricket and rugby are also slowly coming up through the ranks in
Ethos & heritage
School derives its name from a local landmark and opened its doors in 2013, following a rigorous campaign by local parents frustrated by the lack of mixed, non-selective, non-denominational secondary provision in the area. The excitement was almost
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Boundaries are firm. Smartphones are a complete no-no anywhere on the school premises, and even if spotted in a student’s bag will mean an immediate Saturday morning detention: ‘This is a black and white rule, which means we have removed a lot of
Pupils & parents
Extremely dedicated set of parents, particularly for a secondary school - perhaps because many of those who are involved with the parents' association are the same ones who helped to set up the school. Parents have raised substantial funds through
The last word
A much-needed local school, which by many accounts is proving to be a resounding success. A great option for parents who want a smaller school for their child that doesn’t shy away from discipline and high standards. Veers towards the artistic child.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
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Full inspection: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
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