Compare Castle School and Jane Lane School and The Ladder School

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of not applicable schools: Castle School (Not applicable) in Walsall; Jane Lane School (Not applicable) in Walsall; The Ladder School (Not applicable) in Walsall — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Castle School, Jane Lane School and The Ladder School. They are not applicable phase and community special school and free schools alternative provision type located around Walsall, West Midlands and Walsall. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (Castle School), published Sep 2013. The lowest is 2 (Jane Lane School), published Dec 2023. The most recent inspection on record is for Jane Lane School (Dec 2023). average roll around ≈ 150, combined total ≈ 450, typical FSM 65–70%, range 55–60%–75–80%; all within the THE MERCIAN TRUST trust.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Castle School WS3 2ED	Jane Lane School WS2 0JH	The Ladder School WS1 1RS
Phase / Type	Not applicable • Community special school	Not applicable • Community special school	Not applicable • Free schools alternative provision
Location	Walsall West Midlands WS3 2ED	Walsall West Midlands WS2 0JH	Walsall WS1 1RS
Latest Ofsted	1 11 Sep 2013	2 3 Dec 2023	2 13 Sep 2023
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 250 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 50 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	55–60% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	60–65% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	75–80% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	205	175	64
Capacity utilisation	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Not applicable	Not applicable
Trust / Local authority	Walsall (335)	Walsall (335)	THE MERCIAN TRUST
Website	www.castle.walsall.sch.uk	www.jane-lane.walsall.sch.uk	www.theladderschool.org
Telephone	01922710129	01922721161	01922285848
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Castle School

WS3 2ED

Phase / Type: Not applicable • Community special school
Location: Walsall
West Midlands
WS3 2ED
Ofsted: 1 11 Sep 2013
Pupils: ≈ 250 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 55–60% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Walsall (335)
Website: www.castle.walsall.sch.uk
Telephone: 01922710129

Jane Lane School

WS2 0JH

Phase / Type: Not applicable • Community special school
Location: Walsall
West Midlands
WS2 0JH
Ofsted: 2 3 Dec 2023
Pupils: ≈ 200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 60–65% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Walsall (335)
Website: www.jane-lane.walsall.sch.uk
Telephone: 01922721161

The Ladder School

WS1 1RS

Phase / Type: Not applicable • Free schools alternative provision
Location: Walsall
WS1 1RS
Ofsted: 2 13 Sep 2023
Pupils: ≈ 50 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 75–80% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: THE MERCIAN TRUST
Website: www.theladderschool.org
Telephone: 01922285848

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.