The Olive School, Birmingham Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Character Growth

In a leafy corner of Tyseley where residential streets converge, The Olive School stands as a beacon of academic ambition and inclusive faith. Part of the nationally recognized Star Academies, this three-form entry primary school has rapidly moved from its 2016 opening to becoming one of the highest-performing schools in England.

With 2024 results placing it in the top 5% of all primary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), the school combines a rigorous academic curriculum with a focus on leadership and community service. The atmosphere is one of disciplined joy, where high expectations are matched by a deep commitment to the Star Values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect.

The atmosphere at The Olive School is defined by a sense of purposeful calm. Upon entering the Reddings Lane campus, the orderly conduct of pupils is immediately apparent. Pupils in their smart purple blazers move through corridors with a quiet confidence that reflects the school's "no-excuses" culture.

Principal Mrs. Rifat Batool, who has led the school since its inception in 2016, has successfully cultivated an environment where traditional Islamic values and modern British life are seamlessly integrated. While the school has a strong Muslim ethos, it is progressive and outward-facing, welcoming families of all faiths and none.

The school's identity is built around the "Star Diploma," which rewards pupils not just for academic grades but for character development and community service. This creates a school culture where being a "good person" is as prestigious as being a "top student."

The Olive School sits in the elite tier for primary education, ranking 762nd out of over 15,000 primary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). Within Birmingham, it ranks 11th out of 334 primaries, placing it in the top tier of local educational provision.

In 2024, 93% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This outcome is significantly above the England average of 62%. The depth of achievement is even more striking at the higher standard, where 47% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three core subjects, compared to an England average of just 8%.

Mathematics is a particular area of strength, with pupils achieving an average scaled score of 110 (England average: 104), while Reading scores reached 109 (England average: 105). These results demonstrate that the school is exceptionally effective at stretching high-attaining pupils while ensuring solid foundations for all.

Teaching at The Olive School is characterized by expert subject knowledge and very high expectations. The curriculum follows the national framework but is enriched with specialist teaching in Arabic, Physical Education, and Computing.

In the classroom, "Learning Coaches" work alongside teachers to provide highly targeted support. This ensures that even within a three-form entry setting, individual pupils receive the attention they need to progress. The latest Ofsted monitoring visit in February 2025 confirmed that the school continues to maintain the exceptional standards identified in its previous inspection, specifically noting the tangible passion for every pupil to succeed.

The school's specialism in Leadership is evident in the curriculum, which encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and develop public speaking skills from an early age.

Pastoral care is the bedrock of the school's success. The pastoral system is designed to make pupil wellbeing a priority, with class teachers taking primary responsibility for the welfare of their pupils.

The inclusive Islamic ethos emphasizes self-discipline, compassion, and mutual respect. For Muslim pupils, this includes daily prayers and reflection time, though the school ensures that non-Muslim pupils are equally accommodated and feel fully part of the community.

Safety and safeguarding are prioritized, with robust systems in place that are recognized by external monitors as being extremely well implemented. The school also provides intensive support for pupils facing short-term emotional challenges, such as bereavement, through its dedicated mentoring program.

The extracurricular offer is designed to foster curiosity and explore possibilities. The school provides a range of clubs that run through the MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) app, covering sports, arts, and academic interests.

STEM

STEM excellence is a major pillar of the beyond-the-classroom experience. The school runs a "Year of Reading" adventure alongside STEM-focused weeks that include hands-on experiments and visits from industry professionals. Coding and robotics clubs are popular, encouraging pupils to apply mathematical logic in creative ways.

Music and the arts also flourish, with Nasheed choirs and various performance opportunities throughout the year. The "Service to Communities" strand of the curriculum sees pupils taking part in local charity work, reinforcing the idea that their education should benefit the wider world.

The Olive School is heavily oversubscribed, making entry a significant hurdle for many local families. In 2024, the school received 487 applications for just 90 Reception places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 5.41.

Applications are coordinated by Birmingham City Council and must be submitted by 15 January. As a faith school, 50% of places are allocated based on faith criteria, which requires a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) verified by a religious leader. The remaining 50% of places are open to the community.

Parents should check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical cut-off distances. Proximity provides priority for community places but does not guarantee a place given the high volume of first-preference applications.

The school day runs from 8:15am to 3:00pm, though on Fridays the school finishes early at 12:15pm to allow for congregational prayers and staff development.

Wraparound care is available via an on-site Breakfast Club. Parents can use the MyChildAtSchool app to book sessions and receive real-time data on attendance and behavior. Transport to the Reddings Lane site is generally managed by parents, though the school promotes healthy travel options and road safety as part of its environmental commitment.

• Friday Early Finish: The 12:15pm finish on Fridays is a key logistical consideration for working parents, requiring specific childcare arrangements for that afternoon.
• Significant Over-subscription: With more than five applicants for every place, securing entry is the greatest barrier to accessing the school's education.
• Intense Academic Focus: The "no-excuses" culture and high-powered curriculum may be challenging for pupils who prefer a less structured or more play-based approach.
• Islamic Ethos: The school's faith character is genuine and pervasive. While welcoming to all, families should be comfortable with the Islamic environment that underpins the school's values.

The Olive School, Birmingham is a high-achieving academy that successfully bridges the gap between academic rigour and spiritual character. It offers a state education that rivals independent schools in terms of outcomes and discipline. Best suited to families who want an ambitious, structured, and faith-integrated environment for their children. Families looking to shortlist this school should use the Saved Schools feature to keep track of key admissions deadlines.