Conway Primary School

About Conway Primary School

Conway Primary School’s Key Stage 2 results sit below the Birmingham average for primary schools. In the 2023/24 academic year, 57% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the local authority average of 63%. That places the school in the bottom half of Birmingham primaries, ranked 168th out of 254. The gap is most noticeable in reading, where 64% met the expected standard, and in the proportion reaching the higher standard across all three subjects, which stands at just 5%. On the other hand, maths is a relative strength: 79% of pupils achieved the expected standard, and the average maths score of 103 is in line with national norms. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2024 rated it Good across all areas, including early years provision, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership. That’s a consistent outcome — the previous inspection in 2012 also awarded a Good rating.

Looking more closely at the exam data, the picture is mixed. While maths performance is solid, reading and writing lag behind: only 17% of pupils reached the higher standard in reading and 12% in writing. Progress scores for reading, writing and maths are not available in the data, so it’s hard to say whether pupils are catching up or falling further behind during their time at the school. The Ofsted report notes that personal development and behaviour are both Good, and the parent view survey backs this up — 85% of respondents would recommend the school, and 77% strongly agreed that their child is happy there. However, the survey also reveals some dissatisfaction: 8% of parents strongly disagreed that their child is happy, and 15% disagreed that behaviour is well managed. The school has a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 67.9%, well above the national average, which may partly explain the attainment gap compared with the LA average.

Conway is a three-form entry primary with a nursery, and it was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 84 applications for 23 places. That’s a ratio of 3.65 applicants per place, with 20 first-preference offers made. The school offers a wide range of facilities including a gymnasium, library, art studios, ICT suite, playing fields and a forest school. Sports on offer include football, cricket, swimming and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as art, drama, eco club and choir. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families considering Conway, the key trade-off is clear: it’s a popular local school with strong pastoral care and a Good Ofsted rating, but academic outcomes are below the Birmingham average, particularly in reading and writing. It may suit families who prioritise a supportive environment and wide extracurricular offer over top-tier exam results.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Conway Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents