Harborne Primary School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Harborne Primary School.
Harborne Primary School, Birmingham
Harborne Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Birmingham. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2026 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 89th-highest of the 275 schools in Birmingham with published results, and 4,824th of 14,452 across England. It was 99% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Birmingham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Harborne Primary School in detail
Harborne Primary School in its own words
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include choir and art.
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.
Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 84% of Year 6 pupils at Harborne Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Birmingham and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 92% in reading and 85% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Harborne Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 83 families put Harborne Primary School as their first choice and 271 named it as one of their preferences, for 96 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 Harborne Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Harborne Primary School are Harborne Primary School (under 0.1 miles); St Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 95% reading, 90% maths); St Peters CofE Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 85% maths); and Chad Vale Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 85% reading, 93% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Harborne Primary School.
Harborne Primary SchoolSt Mary's Catholic Primary SchoolSt Peters CofE Primary SchoolChad Vale Primary School
What parents say
63 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Harborne Primary School (as of April 2026): 54% would recommend the school, 73% say their child is happy there and 30% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (75%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (30%).
Who goes there
13.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 33.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (26%), White British (25%) and Mixed (16%).
In 2026, 112 pupils (14%) received SEN support and 15 (1.9%) 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 University Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Greenfield Road (adjacent), 150 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Harborne Primary School issued 23 suspensions, 2.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); 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 · 7 months agoThis judgement is from December 2014, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school has made significant progress in identifying and supporting pupils with special needs and those facing learning barriers. Leadership has strengthened considerably with new appointments and improved systems for attendance and safeguarding. Early catch-up support programmes for disadvantaged pupils in core subjects are beginning to show positive results.
Key Strengths
- Safeguarding arrangements are now effective following improvements made since October 2025
- More pupils with SEND are being accurately identified and assessed, with staff understanding their needs
- Leadership capacity has increased with key appointments secured and an interim executive board providing appropriate support and challenge
- Catch-up support for disadvantaged pupils in reading, writing and mathematics is showing early positive impact
- New attendance policies and procedures have increased rigour, with many pupils now attending regularly
Areas for Improvement
- Persistent absence remains too high for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils
- Writing curriculum delivery is inconsistent due to staffing instability, and some pupils still have incorrect pencil grip and letter formation
- Phonics and handwriting curricula are not yet effectively supporting all pupils to keep up with peers
- Some disadvantaged pupils with knowledge gaps are not receiving adequate additional support
- Further work needed to ensure all disadvantaged pupils are known by staff and receive consistent support strategies
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is now effective, with staff having the necessary knowledge to identify and report concerns appropriately.
Harborne Primary School is working to improve from special measures status following significant concerns identified in May 2025. Leaders and governors are taking effective action, but continued work is needed to address safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum delivery, and attendance issues.
At a Glance
13.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
63 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 92% to 84% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 85% to 80% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 83% to 76% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.5
Avg class size
27.3
Infant (KS1)
29.3
KS2
24
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Harborne Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Harborne Primary School.
- Fun Fest HarborneAt the school · Not yet graded
- EINSTEIN11PLUS Childcare330m away · Not yet graded
- School's Out340m away · Not yet graded
- The Strings Club - Harborne Holiday Camp (St Peter's CE School)650m away · Not yet graded
- Super Sports Birmingham880m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Harborne Primary 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 Harborne Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Harborne Primary 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 Harborne Primary School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
832 pupils
840 places
8 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
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
112
SEN Support
15
EHC Plans
15.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
800
Total Pupils
398
Boys
402
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
43
Teachers
18.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,355
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,090
Per pupil
£4614k
Total funding
£147k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.4%
Overall absence
13.9%
Persistent absence
740
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Harborne Primary School
What are SATs results like at Harborne Primary School?
Of the pupils at Harborne Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 84% reached the expected standard in reading and 80% did so in maths.
What is Harborne Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Harborne Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in December 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Harborne Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Harborne Primary 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 Harborne Primary School?
Harborne Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 99% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Harborne Primary School?
Classes at Harborne Primary School average 28.5 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Harborne Primary School?
Harborne Primary School has around 800 pupils on roll. 14% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Harborne Primary School?
5.4% of sessions were missed at Harborne Primary School in 2024/25. 13.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Harborne Primary School?
Apply through Birmingham's coordinated admissions process, naming Harborne Primary 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 Harborne Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Fun Fest Harborne (registered, not yet graded). There are 4 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
What are Harborne Primary School's term dates?
Harborne Primary 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 Harborne Primary School?
Harborne Primary School is at Station Road, Harborne, Birmingham, West Midlands, B17 9LU.
Source: Birmingham term dates