Smith's Wood Primary Academy

About Smith's Wood Primary Academy

Smith's Wood Primary Academy is a state primary in Solihull that is currently running at full capacity with 444 pupils against a published capacity of 440, a clear sign of local demand. The school's intake is notably diverse in socioeconomic terms: 53.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure well above the national average and one that places it among the more disadvantaged intakes in the borough. That context makes the school's popularity all the more striking. For the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 118 applications for 58 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.03. Of those, 59 were first-preference applications, and 52 first-preference offers were made, meaning most families who put it top got in, but competition remains stiff. The school is non-religious and co-educational, serving ages 3 to 11 with a nursery on site.

Academically, Smith's Wood is a standout performer in Solihull. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, carried out in 2017, the school was rated Outstanding overall, with Outstanding ratings for early years provision, leadership and management, and quality of education. An ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed the school remains Outstanding. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Solihull local authority average of 67%. That result places the school 4th out of 42 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the top 10% locally and in the top 9% nationally. Subject-level results are strong too: 92% met expectations in writing, 87% in maths, and 85% in reading. Higher-standard attainment is more modest — 17% reached the higher threshold across all three subjects — but the school's strength clearly lies in getting the vast majority of pupils to a solid baseline.

The school offers a practical, well-resourced environment. Facilities include a forest school, a sensory room, music rooms, a chapel, and an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers football, athletics, rounders and dance, while clubs range from gardening and science club to drama, film club, book club and choir. SEND provision is broad, covering moderate learning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health support, hearing and visual impairments, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. With a nursery on site and no sixth form, this is a school for families looking for strong primary provision from age 3 through to Year 6. Given its oversubscription and high local ranking, it suits families who can commit to a first-preference application and who value consistent academic outcomes in a diverse, inclusive setting.

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