E-ACT North Birmingham Academy in Erdington, Birmingham, has been praised for its exceptional attendance rates, placing it among the top-performing secondary schools in the city and beyond. Leaders at the school have been invited to share their successful attendance strategies with other institutions seeking to improve their own rates.
The latest Ofsted inspection report highlights the academy’s consistently high attendance, well above the national average, a remarkable feat given its location near deprived and high-crime areas. The report states, “Attendance is very high when compared with the national average for all pupils. Post-16 students attend equally well.”
Ofsted commended the school’s proactive approach to attendance, noting that when any pupil’s attendance slightly declines, swift and effective support is provided. The academy’s commitment to sustaining these high standards over time has earned it recognition as one of the first secondary schools in the West Midlands to receive an ‘exceptional’ grade from Ofsted in attendance and behaviour.
READ MORE: DWP Faces Pressure to Restrict Universal Credit for 662,000 Young Claimants Amid Rising Dependency
READ MORE: DWP Updates Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility Dates for 2026–2027
Under the new grading system, which evaluates schools across multiple categories rather than a single overall rating, E-ACT North Birmingham Academy achieved one ‘exceptional’ grade, four ‘strong standard’ grades, and two ‘expected standard’ grades, reflecting an impressive overall performance.
The report also highlights the school’s low suspension rates and consistently high behaviour standards. Instances of bullying and prejudicial behaviour are rare, and pupils confirm a positive, respectful school climate. According to Ofsted, “Lessons are not disrupted by poor behaviour. Pupils move around the school calmly and orderly during social times and between lessons, flourishing in the positive environment created by excellent behaviour.”
E-ACT North Birmingham Academy’s exemplary attendance and behaviour standards position it as a model institution within Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.