Merstone School, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Merstone School on 8 areas: 8 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "All pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieve very well because their education is shaped and steered by well-focused education, health and care plans."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders analyse rates of pupils' attendance carefully."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have successfully implemented a carefully ordered curriculum across all subjects and pathways from the early years to post-16 classes."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the nursery benefit from a joyful, nurturing environment, where provision is carefully planned around each child's needs."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Every pupil at this highly inclusive special school is a valued individual."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders and governors know the school's strengths and next steps well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school places a strong emphasis on developing pupils' independence, confidence and personal behaviours."

Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "Post-16 provision is characterised by a highly individualised curriculum, which has been designed with preparation for adulthood at its heart."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should work to share effective practice through the establishment and re-establishment of wider relationships with special and mainstream schools. In so doing, the school will support its own improvement journey and that of other settings".

From the headteacher's welcome: "As Executive Head Teacher of Merstone School I am pleased to welcome you to our incredible school. We have a strong focus on high aspirations and resilience across our school, which caters for children aged 2-19 years with SLD and PMLD."

The nearest other special schools to Merstone School are Forest Oak School (under 0.1 miles, Outstanding); The Heights Academy (0.7 miles); Castlewood School (1 mile, Requires improvement); and SILVER BIRCH SCHOOL (1.1 miles, Good).

33 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Merstone School (as of April 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (76%).

Of the 10 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.

56.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 5.4% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (70%), Asian (10%) and Mixed (8%).

Almost every pupil at Merstone School has an education, health and care plan (164 of 166 in 2026). The most common need among them is a severe learning difficulty.

Merstone School provides for pupils with severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

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

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Smiths Wood School (adjacent), 100 metres away.

In 2024/25, Merstone School issued 5 suspensions, 2.9 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.