Dorridge Primary School

About Dorridge Primary School

Dorridge Primary School is a large state primary in Solihull, currently home to 672 pupils against a capacity of 710, so it is running close to full but with a small amount of headroom. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 5.5%, which is notably low compared with the national average and suggests a relatively affluent intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 163 applications for 70 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.33. Of those, 69 were first-preference applications, and 69 first-preference offers were made, meaning virtually every family who put it first got a place, but competition from outside that group is fierce. The school is non-denominational and co-educational, taking children from age 3 through to 11, with nursery provision on site. It is led jointly by headteachers Gemma Thelwell and Jodie Hales.

Academically, Dorridge performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Solihull average of 67%. That places the school 13th out of 42 primary schools in the borough, comfortably inside the top quarter nationally. Reading scores are a particular strength: 92% of pupils met the expected standard and 42% achieved a higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Maths also holds up well, with 82% at expected and an average score of 106. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2024, the school was judged Good overall, with Outstanding marks for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes. The previous inspection in 2018 also rated it Good, so the school has maintained a solid track record over time.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a forest school, art studios, a sensory room and a chapel, plus playing fields and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include tennis, football, dance, cross country, rounders and netball, and there are clubs for drama, gardening, chess, film and science. SEND provision is well developed, with support available for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 99% of respondents to the Ofsted Parent View survey would recommend the school, and 97% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. For families in Solihull seeking a well-subscribed, high-performing primary with strong pastoral care and a wide extracurricular offer, Dorridge is a compelling option.

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