Whittington Primary and Nursery School, Lichfield

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Whittington Primary and Nursery School on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils have high attendance."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children get off to a strong start to their education."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders and staff have high expectations of all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "There is a wealth of opportunities for everyone at this school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Whatever their background or circumstances, pupils typically achieve well at this school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school provides an effective curriculum, which is supported by regular staff training."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "This is a well-led school where teamwork, integrity and professionalism shine out."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should continue to strengthen subject leadership in some subjects through evidence-informed training and support. • Leaders should refine aspects of the curriculum in some foundation subjects so that pupils make even better progress across the whole curriculum".

In its own words: "Our aim is to develop Whittington Primary School as a school where: Through a well-planned, enriched curriculum that builds upon prior knowledge and skills, pupils are involved and inspired by their lessons so that they achieve their very best and gain a love of learning which will prepare them for their next steps in education."

The school runs after-school care until 5:45pm.

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at Whittington Primary and Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 77% in Staffordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 95% in reading and 91% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 40 families put Whittington Primary and Nursery School as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 44 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 Whittington Primary and Nursery School are Streethay Primary School (2 miles, Outstanding, 94% reading, 88% maths); Thomas Barnes Primary School (2.1 miles, Outstanding, 80% reading, 80% maths); The Howard Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 75% reading, 88% maths); and Five Spires Academy (2.4 miles, Good, 84% reading, 84% maths).

Whittington Primary and Nursery School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Whittington Primary and Nursery School is one of 21 schools run by John Taylor MAT, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 71% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

102 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Whittington Primary and Nursery School (as of April 2026): 90% would recommend the school, 90% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

5.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 36 pupils (10.8%) received SEN support and 8 (2.4%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Lichfield Trent Valley HL Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Whittington Primary School (adjacent), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often drug offences, vehicle crime and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).

In 2024/25, Whittington Primary and Nursery School issued 4 suspensions, 1.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.