Glenmead Primary School, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Glenmead Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Children settle quickly into the early years and develop positive relationships with staff in a caring environment where they feel safe and supported."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school where leaders and staff know their pupils well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The newly formed leadership team is deeply committed and wants the very best for every pupil in their care."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have implemented a well-planned personal development programme that supports pupils' wider development effectively."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils do not secure the foundations they need, especially in writing."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Attendance is not high enough for all pupils."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the revised reading and writing curriculums are coherently sequenced and progressive, enabling pupils to build on and secure foundational knowledge and skills, particularly in relation to spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting"; "Leaders should ensure that checks on pupils' learning consistently identify and address errors, to limit the risk of these errors being repeated over time"; "Leaders should ensure that adaptations to learning are carefully matched to pupils' individual starting points"; "Leaders should continue to reduce persistent absenteeism, both overall and for all groups of pupils".

In its own words: "Glenmead Primary is a friendly, one-form entry school for children aged 4 to 11, located in the heart of the Great Barr community. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive school where every child is valued and supported. The well-being and success of our pupils are at the centre of everything we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include hockey, yoga, dance, drama, choir, chess, coding, gardening, art and homework club.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Glenmead Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Birmingham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 68% in reading and 59% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Glenmead Primary School as their first choice and 131 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 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 Glenmead Primary School are Barr View Primary & Nursery Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 82% reading, 88% maths); Beeches Infant School (0.3 miles, Good); Beeches Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 70% maths); and Greenholm Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 85% reading, 76% maths).

Glenmead Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

45.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

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

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Scarsdale Road (adjacent), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 264 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Birmingham (435).

In 2024/25, Glenmead Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 4.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Glenmead Primary School are Fortis Academy (0.3 miles), Arena Academy (0.4 miles), Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School (0.7 miles) and E-ACT North Birmingham Academy (1.1 miles).