Little Aston Primary Academy Review 2026: High-attaining primary with a clear character focus

This is a small, oversubscribed primary where expectations are explicit and pupils are expected to live them. The day-to-day language centres on being ready, respectful and safe, backed by a wider character programme that highlights respect, independence and confidence. The atmosphere is intended to feel close-knit and many families choose it for that community feel.

Academy conversion in December 2020 brought the school into Staffordshire University Academies Trust, with the promise of shared expertise alongside a local identity. Leadership continuity is a defining feature, Elizabeth Pearce is the current headteacher, and she has been named as headteacher in historic Ofsted documentation going back many years.

Results are a headline strength. Key Stage 2 outcomes in 2024 sit well above England averages across the combined measure and scaled scores, so the core question for parents is less about academic capacity and more about whether the school’s improvement priorities, especially in early reading and communication with families, align with what you want.

The tone is purposeful without feeling harsh. Pupils are taught that care and kindness are the baseline, and that they should speak up if something is wrong, including online. That clarity matters in a primary setting, because it reduces low-level anxiety and helps pupils focus on learning and friendships.

There is also a deliberate emphasis on leadership. Older pupils are encouraged to take on roles and be visible role models, which helps create consistency across year groups. For some children, that responsibility is a confidence-builder, especially those who like structure and enjoy being trusted with jobs.

Early years settles children quickly. Reception is described as getting pupils into reading within the first few days, and the wider early years curriculum is designed to connect to later learning, for example through history themes that build curiosity about the past. Alongside Reception, the school also describes an on-site pre-school, Sparkletots, offering sessional care for 3 and 4 year olds, which can make the transition into Reception simpler for families who want continuity of setting.

The most recent published Key Stage 2 outcomes (2024) are exceptionally strong.

• 95% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 36.33% reached greater depth in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores are also well above typical benchmarks, with reading at 110, maths at 108, and grammar, punctuation and spelling at 111.

On FindMySchool’s rankings built from official primary outcomes data, the school is ranked 545th in England for primary outcomes, and 8th in Sutton Coldfield. That placement translates to performance that outperforms around 90% of schools in England (top 10%), a useful shorthand when you are comparing several local options.

A practical implication for parents is that pupils are likely to be well prepared for a demanding Key Stage 3 curriculum, provided reading foundations are secure. It also means the school can feel academically brisk, particularly in Year 6, so children who need more repetition or confidence-building may benefit from asking how support is structured in class as well as through interventions.

Curriculum intent is conventional in the best sense, it follows the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2, alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in Reception. Subject breadth is clear, including areas such as languages (French is listed), computing, music, and a structured PSHE and relationships and health education offer.

Where this becomes distinctive is in how the curriculum is packaged. Planning is described as running on a two-year cycle in phase groups, with an emphasis on topic launch experiences, strong texts, and clear sequencing. That model works well when staff have tight agreement on what pupils should know and remember, because it reduces gaps when children move between classes or when staffing changes.

The recent inspection picture suggests that consistency is the work in progress, particularly in reading. Early reading is an explicit improvement priority, with a focus on making sure that phonics sounds are modelled accurately and that reading books are closely matched to the sounds pupils are learning. For parents of Reception and Key Stage 1 children, this is worth exploring in detail, ask how phonics groups are organised, how children move between groups, and what happens when a child is not blending securely.

As a state primary, secondary transfer depends heavily on your home local authority arrangements and, in this border area, family choices can span Staffordshire and the West Midlands. The school’s job is to make sure pupils leave Year 6 with strong reading, writing and maths foundations and the confidence to manage a larger setting.

The most useful question to ask the school is not which secondary is “typical”, but how transition is handled. Look for practical answers such as relationships with local secondaries, how pupil information is shared, and whether there is structured work on independence, organisation, and coping with change during Year 6.

For families considering selective routes, the school culture emphasises high standards and strong outcomes, but the specifics of any entrance testing preparation are usually a family decision rather than a school programme. Ask what academic guidance is offered and how staff balance ambition with wellbeing.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Staffordshire, and the key dates for September 2026 entry are clear: applications opened on 01 November 2025, the closing date was 15 January 2026, and offers are issued on 16 April 2026.

Demand is a defining feature. In the most recent admissions cycle available here, there were 49 applications for 14 offers, which equates to 3.5 applications per place. That level of competition means families should treat admission as uncertain unless they are highly confident they meet priority criteria.

The trust’s admissions arrangements set out a standard hierarchy of priorities for oversubscription, starting with looked-after and previously looked-after children, followed by children with exceptional medical or other exceptional circumstances, then other criteria including proximity measures where relevant. If you are applying under exceptional grounds, evidence needs to be specific and professionally supported.

A practical step is to use FindMySchool’s Map Search to understand your likely distance positioning relative to other applicants, then cross-check the school’s published criteria. Even without a published last-offered distance figure here, mapping your position helps you plan realistically and consider backups.

Safeguarding is confirmed as effective in the latest inspection, which matters more than almost any other line in a primary review. The behavioural climate is described as calm and consistent, with pupils able to explain bullying and how they would report it, including in online contexts.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities aims to keep pupils learning the same curriculum as their peers, with adaptations where needed. The improvement point is precision, some support plans have been described as too general to match specific needs closely enough. For parents of children with identified needs, ask to see how targets are written, how progress is reviewed, and how staff translate plans into day-to-day classroom strategies.

There is also a communication theme. A significant minority of parents have expressed concerns about how effectively the school communicates, and what that means for understanding progress. Parents who want frequent, detailed feedback should ask how often work is shared, how assessment information is explained, and what response times look like when you raise a concern.

Clubs and experiences are used as learning accelerators rather than mere add-ons. Hockey, netball and choir are named examples of the club offer, which gives a sense of balance between sport and the arts. The implication for pupils is social breadth, children who do not see themselves as “sporty” still have clear routes to belonging through music and other activities.

Trips and topic launches are part of the curriculum approach. The school’s own materials and imagery point to residential experiences for older pupils, including outdoor education activities such as high ropes, archery, canoeing, and themed sessions linked to history topics. That kind of residential matters at primary age because it tests independence in a supported way, and it often changes how pupils see themselves when they return to class.

There are also signs of practical life-skills enrichment, for example first aid training appearing in school materials. Used well, this supports the character agenda by turning abstract values like responsibility into concrete competence.

The published school day runs to a 3.30pm finish, with gates locked at 9.00am after arrival and registration. Wraparound care is clearly structured: before-school club runs 7.45am to 8.45am, and after-school club runs from 3.30pm to 6.00pm during term time.

As with most state primaries, families should expect additional costs for optional extras such as some clubs and certain extended-day elements, alongside the usual uniform, trips and enrichment activities. Costs vary by activity, and families who want predictability should ask for a termly overview of likely extras.

Transport-wise, the school sits in the Little Aston area of Sutton Coldfield, so school-run traffic and parking pressure at drop-off can be a real day-to-day factor. If you are planning to drive, visit at peak times and decide whether your routine can handle it.

• Early reading consistency. The school’s improvement priorities include making sure phonics sounds are modelled accurately and that reading books match the sounds pupils are learning. This is most relevant for Reception and Key Stage 1 families, and it is worth asking exactly how reading support is organised for pupils who are not yet fluent.

• SEND plan specificity. The intent is inclusive, but some support plans have been described as too general. Parents of children with SEND should ask how targets are personalised, who reviews them, and how classroom adaptations are checked.

• Parent communication expectations. A notable minority of parents have raised concerns about communication and clarity on progress. If you value frequent, detailed updates, explore how the school shares progress information and how quickly queries are handled.

• Admission pressure. With 3.5 applications per place in the most recent cycle available here, competition is the limiting factor. Families should plan a realistic set of preferences rather than relying on one outcome.

Little Aston Primary Academy combines very high Key Stage 2 outcomes with a clear, values-led approach to behaviour and personal development. For many pupils, that mix works brilliantly, strong academics in a setting that wants children to be confident, respectful and responsible.

Best suited to families who want a small primary with ambitious results, clear routines, and a strong character framework, and who are comfortable engaging actively with the school on reading development and communication. The real hurdle is securing a place, and for those who do, the academic foundation can be a significant advantage.