Firs Primary School, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades Firs Primary School on 7 areas: 1 expected standard and 6 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a personal development programme that helps pupils to grow as considerate, confident people."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Attainment over time remains below where it needs to be, including in national tests at the end of key stage 2."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Attendance has improved and is now closer to national rates."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "There are inconsistencies in the quality of teaching."

Early years - Needs attention. "The ways children are supported to develop their language and communication are not as effective as they need to be."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Staff do not consistently identify changing needs or adapt teaching swiftly enough for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders have reset the school's culture and expectations."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should improve how effectively they identify the precise needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities so the support they receive is impactful, timely and ensures pupils' needs are consistently met"; "Leaders should strengthen assessment so that teaching identifies pupils' starting points and addresses gaps in pupils' knowledge effectively so that pupils catch up, improve their work and achieve well"; "Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years use consistent, effective approaches to develop children's language, vocabulary and communication so they are better prepared for key stage 1"; "Leaders should ensure that systems to improve attendance are embedded effectively so that attendance and persistent absence improve".

In its own words: "We challenge pupils to attain high academic and personal outcomes-setting and achieving ambitious goals in all they do. Our curriculum is broad, balanced, and knowledge-rich-meeting individual needs and interests, building on children's natural curiosity. Our expectations and values encourage pupils to work and play together positively, developing mutual respect by understanding each other's cultures, faiths and opinions."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to introduce myself as the Headteacher of Firs Primary Academy, a school with a warm, inclusive community and a deep commitment to ensuring every child flourishes. At Firs, we believe that strong relationships are at the heart of a great education."

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils at Firs Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 53% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Birmingham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 42% in reading and 48% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put Firs Primary School as their first choice and 74 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Firs Primary School are St Wilfrid's Catholic Junior and Infant School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 64% reading, 48% maths); Heathlands Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 74% reading, 74% maths); Tame Valley Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 69% reading, 72% maths); and Hodge Hill Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 61% reading, 72% maths).

Firs Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Firs Primary School is one of 8 schools run by Washwood Heath Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 50% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

74.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 65.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (36%), Black (32%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 51 pupils (18.3%) received SEN support and 5 (1.8%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Stechford Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Millington Road (adjacent), 140 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Firs Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Firs Primary School issued 64 suspensions, 19.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Firs Primary School are Hodge Hill Girls' School (0.7 miles), Hodge Hill College (0.8 miles) and Lift Greenwood (1.4 miles).