Beeches Infant School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It merged with another school. The school at this address is now Arena Academy.
Beeches Infant School, Birmingham
Beeches Infant School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 7 in Birmingham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2017. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2022 did not change this grade. It was 99% full in 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2017)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Birmingham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Beeches Infant School in detail
Getting a place at Beeches Infant School
For September 2026 entry, 72 families put Beeches Infant School as their first choice and 189 named it as one of their preferences, for 74 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Beeches Infant School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Beeches Infant School are Beeches Primary School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 81% reading, 70% maths); Glenmead Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); Barr View Primary & Nursery Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 82% reading, 88% maths); and Calshot Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 83% maths).
Beeches Primary SchoolGlenmead Primary SchoolBarr View Primary & Nursery AcademyCalshot Primary School
Who goes there
40.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 26.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (39%), White British (25%) and Black (17%).
In 2026, 52 pupils (20.9%) received SEN support and 6 (2.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hamstead Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Perry Beeches School (adjacent), 140 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 249 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Birmingham (435).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Beeches Infant School issued 2 suspensions, 0.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from June 2017, 9 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2022 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Beeches Infant School creates a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels safe and valued. Teachers work hard to challenge and support all learners, including those with additional needs. The school offers rich experiences - from art and music to working with local artists and learning about global issues - that inspire curiosity and help children develop into thoughtful, respectful young people.
Key Strengths
- Strong support for pupils with special educational needs - they receive tailored care and are fully included in school life
- Well-taught mathematics with practical activities that help children build number confidence
- Excellent behaviour and respect - pupils value themselves and others, with rare bullying incidents
- Ambitious curriculum covering a full range of subjects including art, music, and community-focused learning
- Staff feel valued and supported with reasonable workloads
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils who fall behind in reading do not get enough practice with new sounds, affecting their fluency and confidence
- A small number of curriculum subjects lack clearly defined knowledge, skills, and vocabulary that pupils should learn
- This leads to gaps in pupils' learning across the curriculum
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a vigilant trained team, meticulous record-keeping, and swift identification of pupils who need help.
Extracurricular Activities
Working with local artists, well-being activities, fundraising for charities, visits to places of worship, music and art
Beeches Infant School is a happy, welcoming school where pupils feel safe and achieve well. Teachers set high expectations and nurture pupils' character, interests, and abilities.
At a Glance
40.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
27.7
Avg class size
27.7
Infant (KS1)
9
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Beeches Infant School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Beeches Infant School.
- Inspired Children's Club - Beeches Infants SchoolAt the school · Not yet graded
- Inspired Children's Club - Glenmead Primary School520m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Beeches Infant School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Birmingham. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Thursday 2 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Monday 24 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Beeches Infant School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Beeches Infant School is in Birmingham; for families living there:
- How to apply: Travel passes for 5 to 16 year olds
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Beeches Infant School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
267 pupils
270 places
3 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Birmingham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Birmingham
Across Birmingham council
Places available
15,375
Applications
12,117
Got 1st preference
92.1%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All primary applications across Birmingham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
52
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
23.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
249
Total Pupils
123
Boys
126
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
14
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,930
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,731
Per pupil
£2025k
Total funding
£142k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.9%
Overall absence
22.0%
Persistent absence
191
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Beeches Infant School
What is Beeches Infant School's Ofsted rating?
Beeches Infant School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2022, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2017, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Beeches Infant School?
No fixed boundary. When Beeches Infant School is oversubscribed, Birmingham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Beeches Infant School?
Beeches Infant School was close to full in 2025, at 99% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Beeches Infant School?
Classes at Beeches Infant School average 27.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Beeches Infant School?
Beeches Infant School has around 249 pupils on roll. 40% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Beeches Infant School?
6.9% of sessions were missed at Beeches Infant School in 2024/25. 22% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Beeches Infant School?
Apply through Birmingham's coordinated admissions process, naming Beeches Infant School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Beeches Infant School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Inspired Children's Club - Beeches Infants School (registered, not yet graded). There is another within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
What are Beeches Infant School's term dates?
Beeches Infant School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Birmingham. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Thursday 2 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Monday 24 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
Where is Beeches Infant School?
Beeches Infant School is at Beeches Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B42 2PY.
Source: Birmingham term dates