Five Spires Academy

About Five Spires Academy

Five Spires Academy is a state primary school in Lichfield, Staffordshire, with a mixed intake of 226 pupils aged 3 to 11, sitting just below its capacity of 234. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.1%, which is broadly in line with the national average for primary schools and suggests a reasonably mixed socioeconomic catchment. Demand for places is notably high: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 78 applications for just 24 places, with 21 of those being first-preference choices. That works out at an oversubscription ratio of 3.25 applicants per place, a strong signal that local families rate the school highly. The school does not have a religious character, so admissions are not tied to faith criteria, which may broaden its appeal. A nursery provision is also on site, meaning children can join from age three, which could be a practical draw for working parents looking for continuity through to Year 6.

Academically, Five Spires Academy performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 75% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Staffordshire LA average of 65%. A quarter of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, with reading and maths average scores of 107 and 105 respectively. Writing was a particular strength, with 91% meeting the expected standard. The school ranks 10th out of 34 primary schools in Lichfield, placing it in the top 25% nationally by this measure. Ofsted’s most recent inspection in July 2023 rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding marks for early years provision, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. The previous inspection in 2018 also rated it Good, so the school has maintained a solid track record. The early years provision has improved from a Requires Improvement rating in 2018 to Outstanding in 2023.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a forest school, sensory room, playing fields and a chapel, alongside clubs such as book club, chess, eco club, film club and drama. Sports on offer include football, cricket, dance and netball. For families with children who have additional needs, the SEND provision is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, social and emotional mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying from outside the immediate catchment should be prepared for competition. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is Willows Primary Academy, 1.7 km away, which may be a useful alternative for those who miss out. Overall, Five Spires Academy suits families who value strong academic outcomes, a broad enrichment offer, and a school that has shown consistent improvement in its early years and pastoral care.

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