Kingsthorne Primary School

About Kingsthorne Primary School

Kingsthorne Primary School is a state-funded, mixed-gender primary in Birmingham that currently educates 354 pupils against a capacity of 446, leaving some physical headroom for growth. The school serves a community with significantly higher-than-average economic disadvantage: 59.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national primary average of around 23%. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 59 applications for just 21 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.81. Of those, 17 were first-preference applications, and 17 first-preference offers were made, suggesting that nearly every family who put Kingsthorne first secured a spot. The school also offers nursery provision for children from age three, which may help families secure a feeder route into Reception.

Academically, Kingsthorne’s most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2023 rated it Good overall, with Good marks for early years provision, leadership and management, and quality of education. This is a clear improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2017, when it was rated Requires Improvement. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 48% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — below the Birmingham local authority average of 63%. Average scores in reading and maths both sat at 101, and while 60% met the expected standard in maths and 57% in reading, only 12% achieved a higher standard in maths and 15% in reading. The school ranks 226th out of 254 primaries in Birmingham on the combined expected standard metric, placing it in the bottom half locally and the bottom 50% nationally.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, music rooms, gymnasium, playing fields and a chapel, plus sports such as cricket, cross country, tennis and swimming. Clubs include Eco Club, Science Club and Art Club. For families with children who have additional needs, the SEND provision is notably broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. Kingsthorne is a good fit for Birmingham families who prioritise a supportive, inclusive environment with strong SEND support and who are comfortable with a school where academic outcomes sit below the local average but where demand remains high — a sign that the school’s broader offer is valued by the community.

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