GSGrammarSchool Hub
School profile Verified 18 August 2026

Sandwell Private schools

Blackwater Academy Sandwell

Horseley Road, Tipton, DY4 7NB

Blackwater Academy Sandwell is a private secondary-stage school in Tipton, West Midlands, with a published age range of 11-16.

Private school Co-ed Ages 11-16 No sixth form listed No boarders
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
11-16
Ofsted ?
Not yet verified
Boarding ?
No boarders
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

Sector
Private school
Gender
Mixed
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
11-16
Boarding ?
No boarders
Route check
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Ofsted ?
Not yet verified

Overview

Blackwater Academy Sandwell opened on 9 December 2025 as a small mixed provision for pupils aged 11 to 16. Its capacity is 50, and the Sandwell setting on Horseley Road, Tipton has a clear focus on tailored education packages, pastoral support and small-group teaching. One-to-one support is available where needed, with full-time and part-time arrangements forming part of the offer.

The academic programme combines practical and academic skills. GCSE English Language, English Literature, mathematics, science and history are named subjects, while the wider purpose is to help pupils prepare for their next step. Small classes and individual support point to a setting built around adjustment and re-engagement rather than a single timetable intended for every learner.

The November 2025 pre-registration inspection took place before opening and planned for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities related to social, emotional and mental health. Proposed placements could come from schools or neighbouring local authorities. The planned curriculum included English, mathematics, science, history, geography, religious studies, PSHE, relationships, sex and health education, and PE, with assessment and half-termly reviews intended to shape adaptations.

That pre-opening inspection found the provision likely to meet all independent-school standards when it opened. A post-opening inspection, results and longer-term operating evidence are not yet available. Lucy Jelf is the named headteacher, and the academy gives current contact details and opening hours for referrals and enquiries.

Key points
Assessment route
Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand
Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment
Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results
Independent-school performance data is patchier in official releases, so GCSE and A-level comparisons should be checked against the school's published results.

School details
Sector
Private school
School type
Other independent school
Funding
Independent fee-paying
Application
Apply direct to school
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11-16
Headteacher
Lucy Jelf
Pupil roll
38 pupils
Sixth form
No

Location and contact

Address

Address
Horseley Road, Tipton, West Midlands
Postcode
DY4 7NB
Area
Sandwell

School leadership

Headteacher
Lucy Jelf

School contact

School phone
01212855123

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions phone
01212855123
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Application route
Apply direct to school
Age range
11-16
Gender
Mixed
Boarding
No boarders
Day fees
Check school fees page
Scholarships and bursaries
Check school site
Entrance details
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
Admissions note
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.

Assessment route
Apply direct to school

Application

How to apply

  1. 1

    Apply direct to the school

    Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.

    Check school admissions

Inspection
View report
Not yet verified

Latest inspection: Not yet verified

Use the latest Ofsted report for inspection detail.

Quick summary

  • Ofsted inspection outcome: Ofsted's latest independent-school inspection. Read the Ofsted provider page for the published outcome.

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.

Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

Shortlist comparisons

Compare Blackwater Academy Sandwell with Avicenna School Compare Blackwater Academy Sandwell with Blackwater Academy Stourbridge Compare Blackwater Academy Sandwell with The Cornwall Independent School

Explore this school in context

Private schools near Sandwell

Independent secondary-stage school profiles with direct-application, age range and boarding context.

Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Blackwater Academy Sandwell handle admissions?

Blackwater Academy Sandwell handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Blackwater Academy Sandwell?

1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.

When are the key dates for Blackwater Academy Sandwell?

Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Blackwater Academy Sandwell?

Check the latest Ofsted or school-published inspection record for current inspection detail.