The Oval School
About The Oval School
The Oval School, a large state primary in Birmingham, currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade confirmed during an ungraded inspection in October 2024 where inspectors noted that standards were maintained. This is a shift from its previous graded inspection in 2013, when it was rated Outstanding overall, with leadership and early years provision also judged outstanding at that time. The most telling academic metric for this school is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 academic year, 67% of pupils achieved this benchmark, which sits above the Birmingham local authority average of 63%. This places the school 91st out of 254 primaries in the city, putting it in the top 37% nationally. Given that 65.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, these results represent a solid performance against the odds.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 30 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
16 Oct 2024Latest monitoring visit (16 Oct 2024): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jul 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About The Oval School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights