Fairfax Academy has been named the top-performing, state-funded sixth form in the West Midlands, after new Department for Education data confirmed the academy’s exceptional A Level progress.
The national performance tables, released this week, show that A Level students at Fairfax outperform their peers by achieving, on average, one grade higher in each of their three subjects.
In a regional league table measuring grade progress to A Level, Fairfax Academy was only beaten by a handful of fee-paying schools – some charging as much as £8,000 per term.
In addition, 86% of students leaving Fairfax Academy secured their first-choice university last year.
This outstanding progress places Fairfax:
- Number one mainstream sixth form in the West Midlands
- In the top 5% of schools nationally for progress
- Number one in the country for Accounting and Finance
- Top 1% nationally for Chemistry
- Top 3% nationally for Law
Principal Sean Castle said: “I am immensely proud of our students. This number one ranking validates our progress following our best-ever A Level results last summer. It is a fantastic achievement, only made possible through collective commitment and teamwork.
“We have seen students jump as many as four grades after joining Fairfax, and this year alone we have students receiving offers from some of the best universities in the world, including the University of Cambridge.”
Fairfax Academy, which is part of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust, is also among the top 5% of schools nationally to receive a ‘well above average’ progress rating.
Sarah Carroll, a Year 13 student, who is waiting to hear about her university place, is hoping to study Law at the University of Bristol.
She said: “I’m predicted A, A, B, but I really struggled when I was younger. My grades shot up at GCSE because teachers gave me tailored support. The transition into sixth form was seamless. You feel genuinely welcomed into the community.”
Daniel Nola, in Year 12 studying Business, Accounting and Sociology, added: “The sixth form is really welcoming. I’ve been here since Year 7, but friends who joined later say it’s an easy place to settle. I used to be disruptive, but having a mentor changed everything.”
Elia Prudhomme, Year 13, who hopes to study Accounting and Finance at the University of Birmingham, said: “It’s a really inclusive and supportive place. The teachers genuinely care and take time out of their day to help individuals.”
Fairfax Academy was rated Outstanding for leadership and personal development and Good in all other areas by Ofsted in 2024.
This latest ranking reinforces its reputation as one of the UK’s top‑performing sixth forms; a place where students consistently achieve more than they ever thought possible.