The Link Academy is in Netherton, Dudley, and draws pupils from across central and eastern Dudley as well as neighbouring Sandwell. There are currently some 1,000 learners on roll and the academy recruits at capacity. The principal, Emma Edwards-Morgan, is an ex-pupil of the school and shares the Trust’s determination to restore the reputation for excellence that it once held. 

The grades that learners achieve at GCSE have improved for four successive years, with a rise in the proportion of learners achieving Grade 5 or higher in both English and Mathematics from 23% to 41%. The progress that learners make while they are at school is now well above national average.

An Ofsted report in 2022 raised The Link Academy by two grades to be ‘Good’ across the board, a result only achieved by twelve other schools in the previous ten years.

The Link benefits from having had a partial rebuild that created a three-floor teaching block together with a large school hall and refectory. In addition, the Trust has carried out extensive electrical, roofing and window replacement works. The Link has a strong arts and performing arts culture, with good facilities for art, drama, dance and music. There is a sports centre co-located with the academy, in-door courts, dry-play pitches and large playing fields.

The Link is proud to offer an extensive enrichment programme including a range of school shows and international trips. The school is a Centre of Excellence for the Inclusion Quality Mark and is working towards Flagship status.

Over 40% of learners are eligible for free school meals and a sizeable proportion have English as an additional language.