Knowle Church of England Primary Academy Review 2026: High-attaining primary with strong personal development

A calm, purposeful culture runs through this Church of England primary in Knowle, with staff placing visible emphasis on kindness, self-control and responsibility. The most recent inspection profile is balanced and credible; overall performance sits at Good, while personal development is rated Outstanding. Leadership has also had a reset, with a new principal taking up post in September 2023 after previously serving as a senior leader, and the inspection narrative points to renewed energy and clarity about what to improve.

For families who prioritise academic security, the published key stage 2 outcomes are a headline strength. This is paired with practical wraparound care that is unusually well explained, including breakfast provision from early morning and after-school childcare through to early evening. Nursery is part of the picture too, and the school is explicit that nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

Relationships and expectations are clearly framed through the school’s Christian ethos. The inspection evidence describes a settled environment where pupils feel safe, behaviour is consistently strong, and staff respond quickly when children need extra help to thrive in lessons or routines. That matters for parents weighing day-to-day experience as much as headline results.

The school also gives early years a defined identity rather than treating nursery as an add-on. Nursery and Reception open mornings have been scheduled in the autumn in prior cycles, and the school highlights outdoor learning as a point of pride. Policy documents reference outdoor learning areas, quiet reflective spaces, Forest School, and purposeful spaces that support pupils with additional needs. Taken together, that indicates a setting that expects young children to be active, curious and independent, with suitable calm spaces when they need to regulate.

Leadership is a notable context point. The October 2023 inspection describes “significant changes” and references a refreshed enthusiasm, alongside a governing body that is engaged and supportive. For parents, the implication is that the school is consolidating strengths while still standardising consistency in assessment and curriculum planning across all subjects.

The data points to performance that is well above typical levels for England, especially at the combined measure of reading, writing and mathematics.

• In 2024, 92.3% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 44% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Average scaled scores are also high: reading 110, mathematics 110, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 111.

Rankings reinforce the same story. Ranked 346th in England and 2nd in Solihull for primary outcomes, this places the school well above England average, in the top 10% of primaries in England (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

For parents comparing options locally, the practical implication is that attainment tends to be secure across the cohort, not just among the very highest attainers. The greater-depth figure is especially meaningful, suggesting that pupils who are ready to move faster are doing so in material numbers.

Curriculum intent and sequencing are areas where the evidence is detailed. The inspection narrative describes strong curriculum mapping in several subjects, with particular strength in reading, mathematics and physical education, and clear progression from Nursery through to Year 6. Where the school is still tightening practice is in how some subjects bridge early years into Year 1, and how routinely teachers check what pupils have understood and are ready for next.

Reading stands out as a consistent strength. Early reading and phonics are described as structured from the early years, and older pupils are reported as able to talk confidently about authors and genres. That typically indicates more than decoding; it suggests a reading culture where comprehension and reading for pleasure are actively reinforced.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is also described as a real strength, with a skilled team coordinating support and working with parents and specialist services. For families with SEND questions, this is one of the most reassuring features in the available evidence, because it is tied to the practical point that pupils get support that removes barriers to learning.

As a Solihull primary, the next step is usually transfer into one of the borough’s secondary schools, with placements driven by the coordinated admissions process and catchment priorities. A useful local indicator is that Arden Academy’s admission arrangements explicitly reference Knowle CE Primary as one of the named primary schools that can receive priority in certain criteria groups for out-of-catchment applicants. This does not guarantee transfer, but it does signal a well-established local pathway families often consider.

For parents planning ahead, the most sensible approach is to treat Year 6 transition as a two-part task: understand your likely catchment secondary, then decide whether you are also making preference choices beyond catchment. FindMySchool’s map and distance tools can be helpful for modelling realistic options, especially if you are considering high-demand secondaries where distance is a common tie-break.

Competition for Reception places is a defining feature. In the most recent admissions data available here, there were 158 applications for 60 offers, which is about 2.6 applications for every place. That oversubscription profile means families should treat admission as a process to manage carefully, rather than assuming that living nearby will automatically be enough.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Solihull Council’s scheme, with the published closing date for September 2026 Reception applications set at 15 January 2026. National offer day is 16 April 2026. The school’s published admissions arrangements also emphasise that nursery attendance does not provide priority for Reception, and that families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority even if their child attends the school nursery.

Nursery admissions are handled directly, and the school’s nursery policy sets out how intakes can operate at different points in the year depending on spaces. The policy is explicit that there is no statutory right of appeal for nursery admissions, and it explains how oversubscription would be handled if demand exceeds capacity. For families considering nursery as a pathway, the key implication is simple: treat nursery as valuable early years provision in its own right, not as a guaranteed route into Reception.

Open events are typically part of the process, but dates roll annually. The school has previously scheduled Nursery open mornings in October and November, and a Reception open morning in November. Families should check the school’s current events page for the latest schedule and booking expectations.

Personal development is the standout judgement area from the latest inspection. The evidence points to a culture that explicitly teaches children how to stay safe, stay healthy, and contribute to the community, supported by structured personal, social, health and economic education. The school also runs a named SMILE programme focused on positive mental health and wellbeing, which provides a clear framework rather than leaving wellbeing to informal initiatives.

Attendance is monitored with purpose. When attendance drops, the inspection narrative indicates the school acts swiftly, and the reported picture is one of high attendance with a decreasing proportion of persistent absence. Combined with strong behaviour, that suggests routines are stable and the school is not complacent about day-to-day standards.

Safeguarding is also clearly stated as effective in the most recent inspection report, which is foundational reassurance for any parent shortlisting options.

Clubs and structured activities appear to be a meaningful part of school life, with provision spanning sport, performance and broader interests. The inspection evidence references clubs such as gymnastics, musical theatre and cheerleading, and the school’s published club schedule provides further specificity across year groups.

Examples from the Autumn Term programme include Girls Football Club and Boys Football Club for Years 5 and 6, netball for Year 6, and cross country for Years 5 and 6. There are also dance options across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, plus Musical Theatre for Years 2 to 6.

Early years and childcare add-ons are also unusually well described. Wraparound pages outline optional sessions such as Jo Jingles for hands-on musical experiences using percussion instruments, and Leapfrog Sports led by a specialist coach. Nursery PLUS provision is positioned as project-based work that changes half-termly, with themes including collaborative art, movement and performance, basic programming, planting and growing, five senses poetry, and learning to play an instrument. For families, the implication is that wraparound time is not only supervision; it is structured time with planned activities and social development.

Sport has an outward-facing element too. The school notes participation in local sports partnerships, including the Arden Primary Competition Partnership, which implies opportunities for inter-school competition and a clearer pathway for children who enjoy sport.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the usual extras such as uniform, trips and optional clubs.

The published school day starts at 8:45am. Reception and Key Stage 1 finish at 3:10pm, while Key Stage 2 finishes at 3:20pm. Nursery sessions run 8:45am to 11:45am and 11:45am to 3:15pm. Wraparound care is well-established: Breakfast Buddies runs from 7:30am to 8:45am, and after-school childcare (Play Station) runs from 3:15pm to 6:00pm, with fees listed by the school.

For travel, most families will be planning around village traffic and short local journeys. It is sensible to review the school’s current drop-off guidance and allow extra time during peak periods, especially if you are also managing younger siblings and wraparound collection times.

• Oversubscription reality. With 158 applications for 60 offers in the most recent data here, admission is competitive. Families should treat the local authority application as a process to manage carefully, including realistic preferences and deadlines.

• Nursery is not a guaranteed route. The school is explicit that nursery attendance does not provide priority for Reception, and a separate Reception application is still required. This can catch families out if they assume automatic progression.

• Consistency in assessment and curriculum checks. The latest inspection highlights that, in some lessons, checking what pupils have learned is not yet routine enough. For most children this will not be a day-to-day issue, but it is relevant for families who want uniformly consistent practice across every classroom.

• Faith character is real. The Church of England ethos is woven into the school’s stated vision and routines. Most families will experience this as values-led education, but those uncomfortable with a clearly Christian framework should read the school’s vision and policy documents carefully.

Knowle Church of England Primary Academy combines very strong key stage 2 outcomes with a settled culture and credible external evidence about personal development, wellbeing and safeguarding. The practical offer is also strong, particularly for working families who need early breakfast provision and after-school childcare to 6:00pm. It suits families who want a values-led primary education with high academic expectations and reliable wraparound care. The main challenge is securing admission, so families should plan early and apply with a realistic strategy.