St Matthew's CofE Primary School

About St Matthew's CofE Primary School

If you’re a parent considering St Matthew’s CofE Primary School, the feedback from other families is a strong signal. In the Parent View survey covering September 2024 to September 2025, 81% of respondents said they would recommend the school. That’s a solid endorsement, though it’s worth noting that 19% said they would not. The school is clearly popular: for the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 84 applications for just 30 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.8. Of those 84 applicants, 31 put St Matthew’s as their first preference, and 29 first-preference offers were made. So competition for a spot is real, and having the school as your top choice significantly improves your odds. Parents who responded were particularly positive about behaviour and safety: 69% strongly agreed that the school ensures pupils are well behaved, and 65% strongly agreed their child feels safe. On the flip side, a small minority expressed dissatisfaction, with 12% strongly disagreeing that concerns are dealt with properly.

Academically, St Matthew’s performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 87% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Birmingham local authority average of 63%. The school also ranks 12th out of 254 primary schools in Birmingham, placing it in the top 5% locally. Nationally, it sits in the top 4% of all primary schools. Looking at individual subjects, 93% of pupils met the expected standard in both maths and writing, and 90% in reading. At the higher standard, 27% achieved it in maths and reading, and 23% in writing. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025 judged it Good overall, with Outstanding marks for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes. Its previous inspection in 2015 had rated it Outstanding across the board, so the current Good rating still reflects strong performance, particularly in how the school supports pupils’ character and conduct.

St Matthew’s is a Church of England primary school in Birmingham with 204 pupils on roll, just shy of its 210 capacity. It serves a community with high levels of disadvantage: 71.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. The school offers a range of facilities including an outdoor playground, dining hall, art studios, music rooms and a chapel. Sports on offer include swimming, athletics, netball, cricket, gymnastics and cross country, and clubs range from gardening and chess to choir, art and coding. For children with special educational needs, the school lists provisions for seven categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. With an oversubscription ratio of 2.8, this is a school that many Birmingham families want to get into, and its strong academic results and positive behaviour ratings suggest it’s a good fit for parents who prioritise both attainment and a structured, supportive environment.

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