Birmingham's Lea Forest Primary Academy in Kitts Green has been crowned Midlands School of the Year by the Sunday Times in its prestigious national school rankings. The academy achieved the remarkable feat of being named the 10th best primary school in the entire country out of approximately 20,000 schools. An expert panel selected Lea Forest for the coveted regional title.
Outstanding Ofsted Rating
The school's success stems from its outstanding Ofsted rating achieved in 2022. Inspectors praised the academy, stating: "This is an exceptional school where pupils flourish." Ofsted highlighted the school's "rich and ambitious curriculum" which "ensures that pupils develop detailed knowledge and understanding over time in all subjects." The report noted that pupils have an excellent understanding of British values and celebrate diversity.
Positive Learning Environment
The inspection found that "pupils are happy and feel safe" with bullying not tolerated. Behaviour and attitudes towards learning were described as excellent, with disruptions to learning being rare. The school fosters a supportive atmosphere where students can thrive academically and personally.
Other Top-Performing Schools
Other top-performing West Midlands schools included Little Sutton and St Anne's RC in Sutton Coldfield, plus Chilcote Primary School in Birmingham. St Paul's School for Girls in Edgbaston was named Midlands comprehensive of the year.
