Water Mill Primary School, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Water Mill Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders' work to improve attendance has been rigorous, and the positive impact of this work is starting to show."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders plan ambitious learning opportunities that are engaging and fun for pupils."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have made sure that children get off to a positive start from day one."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Pupils are well supported by leaders to overcome the things they find difficult."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors care deeply about the school community they serve and have very high ambitions for the pupils to succeed."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Personal development is central to leaders' work to support pupils so that they are ready for successful futures."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' work in the wider curriculum is not yet of the same quality as the work that they produce in English and mathematics."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to build staff's understanding and skills so that they systematically check and address any gaps in pupils' spelling and letter formation so that pupils' writing continues to improve"; "Leaders should ensure that the quality of work that pupils produce across the curriculum is of the same high standard as they achieve in English and mathematics so that their knowledge and skills are as well developed in all subjects"; "Leaders should continue to prioritise areas that they want to improve, taking time to evaluate what is working and what needs to change so that quality provision is consistent across all areas of the school".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Water Mill is a small school with a remarkably rich community. Families with roots in Birmingham and across the world learn and grow alongside one another here, and it is a privilege to serve that community as Headteacher. Our size is one of our strengths."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 5:30pm.

In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Water Mill Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 79% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Birmingham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 89% in reading and 89% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Water Mill Primary School as their first choice and 81 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Water Mill Primary School are St Mary's Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 83% reading, 88% maths); Tiverton Academy (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 89% reading, 89% maths); St Peters CofE Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 80% reading, 85% maths); and St Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 95% reading, 90% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Water Mill Primary School.

42.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 60.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (22%), Asian (19%) and other ethnic groups (19%).

In 2026, 40 pupils (19.5%) received SEN support and 2 (1%) 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 Selly Oak Rail Station, about 850 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Leasow Drive (opposite), 170 metres away.

Water Mill Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Water Mill Primary School are The University of Birmingham School (0.6 miles), Harborne Academy (1.2 miles) and Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School (1.2 miles).