Area Report
Last updated 27 JUL 2026Neighbourhood Report
A middling, mixed part of Sandwell: a school rated Good 0.2 miles away, roughly 17 km² reachable within half an hour by public transport and less recorded crime than most of England.
What's nearby — across walking, short-drive and school catchment distance. Data from official UK government sources.
01 — Snapshot
Around B68 9HB.
The large figure is how many we found nearby; the chip beside each label is that category’s NestScope score out of 100 — higher beats more of the UK.
Are the schools any good?
12Good/Outstanding within 1 mi
- 37 rated Good or better within 2 mi
- 55 schools in total
- IMD education decile 5/10From the official English Indices of Deprivation (IMD 2019, gov.uk) — this neighbourhood's education domain sits in band 5 of 10 nationally (1 = most deprived, 10 = least). One of the anchor signals behind the NestScope Score.
Nearest top-rated: Bleakhouse Primary School (Good) — 0.2 mi
Is it safe?
13crimes last month
- IMD crime decile 8/10From the official English Indices of Deprivation (IMD 2019, gov.uk) — this neighbourhood's crime domain sits in band 8 of 10 nationally (1 = most deprived, 10 = least). One of the anchor signals behind the NestScope Score.
- 13 crimes in 0.25 mi last month (residential-weighted: 11.2)
Crimes reported last month · UK Police API
Can I see a GP?
19GP & hospitals
- IMD health decile 3/10From the official English Indices of Deprivation (IMD 2019, gov.uk) — this neighbourhood's health domain sits in band 3 of 10 nationally (1 = most deprived, 10 = least). One of the anchor signals behind the NestScope Score.
- 19 GP, 11 dentists, pharmacy 0.1 mi within 1.5 mi
Nearest GP: BEARWOOD MEDICAL CENTRE — 0.5 mi
Can I get to work?
No rail stations within 0.5 miles · 53 bus stops nearby
NestReach: ≈ 17 km² reachable within 30 min by bus & rail · England median ≈ 7 km² See the reach map →
How green is it?
12green spaces
- IMD environment decile 2/10From the official English Indices of Deprivation (IMD 2019, gov.uk) — this neighbourhood's environment domain sits in band 2 of 10 nationally (1 = most deprived, 10 = least). One of the anchor signals behind the NestScope Score.
- 48.8 ha total
- largest park 24.8 ha (0.45 mi away)
Nearest: Parish Church of St Hilda — 0.1 mi
Can I get the shopping done?
34shops & libraries
- 26 supermarkets within 2 mi
- Heron, Tesco, Central England Co-operative, The Co-operative Group…
- nearest 0.0 mi
- library 0.3 mi
Nearest: Heron Oldbury — 0.0 mi
In Sandwell, 79% of secondary-school applicants were offered their first-preference school (91% got one of their top three) for 2024/25 entry. For primary places, 94% got their first preference (98% one of their top three).
Local-authority figures (DfE applications & offers) — how competitive it is to get a place across Sandwell, not a per-school number.
02 — Environment
Environment & risk near B68 9HB.
Official risk flags for context — deliberately not part of the NestScope score (they’re categorical hazards, not amenities). Flood zones, air quality & noise explained.
03 — House prices
Sold prices in B68.
Average sold price by property type across the B68 district, 2021–2026.
About B68 9HB
B68 9HB scores 77/100 on the NestScope Score, with its strongest showing in transport and local amenities — with 53 bus stops within walking distance. The breakdown below draws on official UK data covering schools, safety, healthcare, transport, environment and local amenities.
In national context, B68 9HB is an above-average neighbourhood — IMD decile 5/10, ranked 13,564 of 32,844 neighbourhoods in England. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is the UK government's official measure of relative deprivation, refreshed roughly every five years. Housing pressure here is moderate (IMD housing decile 7/10).
There are 55 schools within the typical catchment area, including 4 rated Outstanding by Ofsted and 33 rated Good. The nearest school is Bleakhouse Primary School (Ofsted: Good), 0.2 mi away.
There were 13 crimes reported on the surrounding streets in the most recent month, indicating a low level of immediate-area crime.
Healthcare access is good, with 19 GP surgeries and 11 dental practices in the wider neighbourhood. The nearest GP practice is BEARWOOD MEDICAL CENTRE, 0.5 mi away. A pharmacy is 0.1 mi away.
