SchoolScoresThe Olive School, Small Heath
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Muslim
Part of STAR ACADEMIES
Waverley Road, Birmingham, B10 0EG
0121 668 0510 · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 23 January 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
58 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Birmingham comparisons use the 162 of its 301 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 139 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 57th highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 91% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 55th highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 45% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 30th highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 86% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 41 parents who had raised a concern Joint 24th highest of 145 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 72% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 77% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 19th highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 77% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Birmingham figures pool parents at the Birmingham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
58 pupils in this year group.
97% — 34 points above the Birmingham average, and 35 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 97% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 33% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 97% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 98% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 112 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 114 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Birmingham. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 138 |
| Of those, offered a place | 58 (42%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 307 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 2.2 · 2025: 2.7 · 2026: 2.3
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Muslim school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 206th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 42.5% | 48.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 237th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 9% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 2.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 210th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.1% | 16.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 100% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 95.7% | 43.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 45th lowest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 63% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.6% | 6.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 35th lowest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 68% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.9% | 16.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 24th highest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 90% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.7 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 209th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 49% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.7 | 11.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 97th highest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 71% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 19.4% | 15.0%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Lift Montgomery 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
- Greenfields Primary School 0.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Somerville Primary (NC) School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Benedict's Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 24% met expected standard (KS2)
- Conway Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Arden Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Christ Church CofE Controlled Primary School and Nursery 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ladypool Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Marlborough Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Olive School, Small Heath's Ofsted rating?
The Olive School, Small Heath was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 January 2024.
How did The Olive School, Small Heath do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 97% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 35 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Olive School, Small Heath?
97% of the 58 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The Olive School, Small Heath to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Olive School, Small Heath oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 138 families put The Olive School, Small Heath as their first choice for 60 places: about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place. 58 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 147452.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.