The Sunday Times has unveiled its authoritative Parent Power Guide for 2026, identifying the 30 best primary schools in Birmingham. Published on 5th December 2025, the guide highlights institutions where academic excellence, strong leadership, and quality teaching provide pupils with an outstanding start to their education.
How the Schools Were Ranked
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide is renowned for its rigorous methodology. It ranks the top 1,000 primary schools in England based primarily on their average scores in English, grammar, and maths assessments. However, the analysis also considers wider contextual factors, allowing parents to make meaningful comparisons both locally and nationally.
This year's edition arrives during a challenging period for the education sector, yet it successfully spotlights schools that are delivering exceptional results. The guide identifies classrooms where teaching is sharply focused, leadership remains steady, and pupils are nurtured to develop confidence alongside academic skills.
A Foundation Built on Reading
A key finding from the national league table is that the highest-achieving schools share a laser focus on reading. This concentrated effort has translated into exceptional Sats results and, crucially, has given children a robust foundation for all future learning and success.
The leading Birmingham primaries distinguished themselves through consistent high achievement. They are praised for instilling positive learning habits in their pupils that will benefit them long after they leave primary education.
The Top Performers in Birmingham
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 places Lift Lea Forest in Birmingham at the pinnacle of the city's rankings. It achieves an impressive 10th place nationally. Following closely behind are two other standout institutions.
The top four schools in Birmingham, according to the guide, are:
- Lift Lea Forest, Birmingham - 1st place locally (national ranking: 10th)
- Little Sutton Primary School - 2nd place locally (national ranking: 77th)
- St Anne's RC Primary School - 3rd place locally (national ranking: 94th)
- Chilcote Primary School, Yardley Wood - 4th place locally (national ranking: 112th)
The full list showcases 30 schools, marking Birmingham out as a city with considerable strength in early years education.
What This Means for Parents and the City
The publication of this guide provides valuable, data-driven insights for families navigating school choices. It underscores that Birmingham hosts numerous primary schools that compete at the very highest level across England. The success of these schools is a testament to the dedicated work of teachers and leaders within the city, fostering environments where young learners can truly thrive.