St Laurence Church Junior School

About St Laurence Church Junior School

St Laurence Church Junior School, a state primary for ages 7 to 11 in Birmingham, posts academic results that sit comfortably above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 66% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Birmingham average of 63%. That three-percentage-point gap is modest but consistent, placing the school in the top 40% of primaries nationally. The school’s reading and maths average scores — 105 and 103 respectively — are solid, though the proportion hitting the higher standard in all three subjects is just 3%, suggesting the school is particularly effective at getting most children to a secure baseline rather than pushing a large cohort into the top tier. In the local authority rankings, St Laurence sits 105th out of 292 primary schools, a respectable mid-table position that reflects steady, reliable outcomes rather than standout excellence.

Ofsted last inspected the school in February 2024 and confirmed it remains Good, an upgrade from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2012. The leadership and management were also judged Good. The school’s Progress 8 data is not available, so it is difficult to say how much value it adds beyond raw attainment, but the KS2 results suggest children generally leave at or slightly above national expectations. In writing, 74% met the expected standard, and 81% did so in reading — both healthy figures. Maths is a relative weak spot, with 80% at expected and only 19% at the higher standard. The school has 354 pupils against a capacity of 360, so it is nearly full, and a quarter of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and gives context to the school’s solid results.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, a sensory room and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England foundation. Sports provision covers gymnastics, cricket, football, tennis and netball, while clubs include choir, gardening, science club and drama. SEND support is extensive, with provisions for dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, autism and sensory impairments. This makes the school a strong option for families in Birmingham seeking a mainstream primary with a clear Christian character, good but not exceptional academic outcomes, and a genuine commitment to inclusion. It is not oversubscribed to the point of being hard to get into, and its location in the city means it draws from a diverse catchment. For parents who value a stable, well-led school that gets most children to the expected standard without being a high-pressure environment, St Laurence is a sensible choice.

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