Timbertree Academy

About Timbertree Academy

Timbertree Academy is a state primary school in Sandwell that is currently running above its official capacity, with 221 pupils on roll against a published capacity of 210. That oversubscription is no accident: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 47 applications for 30 places, with 25 of those coming as first preferences, giving a ratio of 1.57 applicants per place. The school serves a community with a notably high level of disadvantage — 46.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% — and is a non-religious, mixed-gender school with nursery provision for children from age three. Its headteacher is Harjit Chahal. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in May 2025, the school was judged Outstanding across every graded category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, early years provision, and leadership and management. That marks a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2011, when it was rated Good overall.

Academically, Timbertree Academy performs strongly against local and national benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — well above the Sandwell local authority average of 60%. The school ranks 5th out of 83 primary schools in Sandwell on this measure, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Average scores in reading (107) and maths (106) both exceed the national benchmark of 100, and the proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading (40%) and maths (27%) is solid. In writing, 20% reached the higher standard. The school’s Ofsted report notes Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and the Parent View survey backs this up: 71% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the school makes sure pupils are well behaved, though 25% disagreed. 80% of parents would recommend the school to another family.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including an ICT suite, sports hall, sensory room, and a chapel, plus a dining hall and outdoor playground. Sports provision covers athletics, swimming, football, cricket, netball, cross country and gymnastics, while clubs include chess, science, film, coding, gardening and choir. SEND support is extensive, covering moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties. Parent View data on SEND support is mixed: 69% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, but 31% disagreed. The school is oversubscribed and selective in practice, so families applying should be aware that a first-preference application is no guarantee of a place. It suits families who want a high-performing, inclusive primary with strong academic outcomes and a wide extracurricular offer, particularly those comfortable with a diverse, high-FSM intake.

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