What ages does The Ladder School teach?

The Ladder School teaches children aged 13 to 18. It is a special school in Walsall.

Who is the headteacher of The Ladder School?

The headteacher of The Ladder School is Ms Hannah Shepherd, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.

Has The Ladder School been inspected?

Ofsted has inspected The Ladder School, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.

How many pupils are at The Ladder School?

The Ladder School has 62 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 13 to 18.

Is The Ladder School full?

The Ladder School has capacity for 120 pupils and 62 on roll (52%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.

Is The Ladder School a faith school?

No. The Ladder School has no designated religious character.

Is The Ladder School part of an academy trust?

The Ladder School is part of THE MERCIAN TRUST. Schools in a trust or federation share leadership and governance, but each keeps its own inspection record and results.

Does The Ladder School publish exam results?

OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for The Ladder School. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

Home
Walsall
Walsall
The Ladder School

The Ladder School

40 George Street, Walsall, WS1 1RS

Phase: Free Schools
School type: Free schools alternative provision
Ages: 13 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Religious character: None
Trust: THE MERCIAN TRUST
Headteacher: Ms Hannah Shepherd
Constituency: Walsall and Bloxwich
Setting: Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Capacity: 120
Pupils on roll: 62
URN: 143750
Local authority: Walsall
Website: School website
Telephone: 01922285848

About this school

The Ladder School is a special academy in Walsall. It teaches children aged 13 to 18 and has 62 pupils on roll.

Ofsted has inspected The Ladder School, and its latest judgement is set out below. Where the Department for Education has published them, its results and pupil characteristics appear below. Seeing a school for yourself shows what no page can, so arrange a visit before you apply.

Ofsted judgement

England: previous inspection framework

Inspected 3 July 2023 · report published 13 September 2023

Good

Overall judgement at the last full inspection

This inspection took place under the previous framework, which gave a single overall grade. Ofsted now publishes report cards instead, so newer inspections of other schools will look different. How Ofsted report cards work

Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Sixth form: Good
Safeguarding: Effective

Read the full report on Ofsted's website

Trends over time

How The Ladder School has moved over recent years against the local and national picture. Every figure is shown in the table beneath its chart.

Pupils on roll

Year	This school
2022/23	16
2023/24	27
2024/25	44

School census, spring count each academic year.

School context

From the 2024/25 school census and absence figures.

Free school meals (last 6 years): 86.67%
English as an additional language: 11.4%

Location

Nearby schools

West Midlands Education and Skills
Special schools

0.5 miles
Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Academy
Independent schools · Walsall

0.6 miles
Mayfield Preparatory School
Independent schools

0.6 miles
Emmanuel School
Independent schools · Walsall

0.7 miles
Hydesville Tower School
Independent schools

0.7 miles

Other schools in Walsall

Bescot Hall Special schools
Castle School Special schools
Cherry Tree School Special schools
Elmwood School Academies
Jane Lane School Special schools
Mary Elliot Academy Academies
New Leaf School Academies
Oakwood School Academies
Old Hall School Special schools
Phoenix Academy Academies
Ryecroft School Special schools
Alumwell Nursery School Nursery

Common questions

What ages does The Ladder School teach?: The Ladder School teaches children aged 13 to 18. It is a special school in Walsall.
Who is the headteacher of The Ladder School?: The headteacher of The Ladder School is Ms Hannah Shepherd, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.
Has The Ladder School been inspected?: Ofsted has inspected The Ladder School, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.
How many pupils are at The Ladder School?: The Ladder School has 62 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 13 to 18.
Is The Ladder School full?: The Ladder School has capacity for 120 pupils and 62 on roll (52%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.
Is The Ladder School a faith school?: No. The Ladder School has no designated religious character.
Is The Ladder School part of an academy trust?: The Ladder School is part of THE MERCIAN TRUST. Schools in a trust or federation share leadership and governance, but each keeps its own inspection record and results.
Does The Ladder School publish exam results?: OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for The Ladder School. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

School details come from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools register. Inspection outcomes come from Ofsted, and exam results from the Department for Education's school performance service. This page was last updated on 10 July 2026.