City Academy vs Mander Portman Woodward Independent College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in West Midlands, England, 1.1 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
City Academy
Birmingham · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
554 students
Mander Portman Woodward Independent College
Birmingham · Independent secondary · Ages 14–19
144 students
| Measure | City Academy Birmingham, West Midlands | Mander Portman Woodward Independent College Birmingham, West Midlands |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 14 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #448 of 493 | #411 of 493 |
| National rank | #3824 of 4,090 | #3470 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 14–19 |
| Students | 554 | 144 |
| Pupils on roll | 554 | 144 |
| Free school meals | 57% | – |
| Capacity filled | 73.9% | 55.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 36.4 | 32.8 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 23.3% | 0% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 40.7% | 0% |
| EBacc average points | 3.24 | 2.80 |
| A level points per entry | – | 37.7 |
| town | Birmingham | Birmingham |
| region | West Midlands | West Midlands |
| Website | www.corecity.academy | www.mpw.ac.uk |
The verdict
- •Mander Portman Woodward Independent College scores higher on the Success Index (England) (20.9 vs 14.4).
- •City Academy is the larger school with 554 students compared with 144.
- •City Academy is a academy school while Mander Portman Woodward Independent College is a independent school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is City Academy better than Mander Portman Woodward Independent College?
On the Success Index (England), Mander Portman Woodward Independent College ranks higher (20.9 vs 14.4 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are City Academy and Mander Portman Woodward Independent College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Birmingham and Birmingham in West Midlands.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
City Academy: 554. Mander Portman Woodward Independent College: 144. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do City Academy and Mander Portman Woodward Independent College rank in West Midlands?
City Academy is 448th of 493 and Mander Portman Woodward Independent College is 411th of 493 among secondary schools in West Midlands on the 2025 Success Index (England).