Built in 1956 as Walmley First School before becoming the junior school pupils know today, this foundation school sits within a community that values both academic excellence and the wider development of children. The most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 confirmed solid progress, with personal development rated as Outstanding. Results place the school comfortably in the top 5% of schools in England for primary attainment (FindMySchool ranking: 821st nationally). Year 6 pupils consistently exceed expectations in reading, writing and mathematics, with achievement in greater depth well above typical performance. The school serves a mixed cohort of approximately 358 pupils across Years 3 to 6, with three forms per year group.
Mrs Lisa Naughton took over as Headteacher in January 2025, succeeding S Pearson. With over 25 years of teaching experience across Birmingham schools and a decade as Deputy Head, she brings established knowledge of school improvement and leadership. The school operates as a state school with no tuition fees, focusing on accessible, high-quality primary education.
The school's seven core values — respect, honesty, kindness, generosity, perseverance, politeness and conscientiousness — are woven through daily life. These are not merely wall displays; they shape behaviour routines, assemblies and classroom interactions. Staff know their pupils individually, creating a culture where children feel emotionally secure and ready to learn.
The working environment reflects genuine investment in resources and display. A fully equipped food technology room enables cooking lessons to thrive. Outdoors, the school manages an enviable collection of learning spaces: a vast school field, mini allotment for growing vegetables, wildlife garden, playground gym equipment and outdoor classroom for lessons conducted in the open air. The existence of these facilities signals that the school views learning beyond the classroom as central, not peripheral.
Transitions are handled carefully. Year 3 pupils move into the junior school from the feeder Walmley Infant School through structured visits and partnership work. Year 6 pupils prepare for secondary transition through collaboration projects in Sutton Park with receiving secondary schools, paired reading with younger pupils and dedicated summer transition clubs. This scaffolding reduces anxiety and builds confidence during key transitions.
The latest Ofsted findings noted that personal development is a particular strength, with the school rated Outstanding in this area. Behaviour is described as strong, with pupils feeling safe and bullying reported as rare. The school holds Rights Respecting School status and Silver recognition, demonstrating commitment to pupil voice and agency.
The school's academic results position it decisively above England averages. In 2024:
The school ranks 821st in England for primary performance, placing it in the top 5% nationally (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, it ranks 9th among Sutton Coldfield primaries. These figures reflect consistent excellence and a clear commitment to rigorous assessment and challenge.
The Ofsted inspection in November 2024 gave the school Good ratings for Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, and Leadership and Management, alongside the Outstanding rating for Personal Development. Inspectors noted that pupils arrive at the school with well-above-average attainment and continue to make solid progress throughout the key stage.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
86%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Teaching is characterized by high expectations and subject rigour. The school follows the National Curriculum with tailored elements to create what staff term the "Walmley curriculum"—one that responds to pupil needs while maintaining clear progression.
Core subjects (reading, writing and mathematics) are taught daily with deliberate skill-building. The school employs setting in mathematics, allowing differentiated pacing for pupils of varying abilities. Reading is treated as a life skill, supported by plentiful, stimulating resources. Problem-solving and reasoning are taught explicitly, so pupils become independent learners prepared to take measured risks.
Specialist teaching is provided in geography, music and religious education. Year 3 and 4 pupils follow the "Walmley Essentials" curriculum, a bespoke scheme focused on life skills including sewing, use of hand tools and food technology. French is taught from Year 3 onwards by a specialist, creating early exposure to language learning that supports the school's Year 6 residential trip to France.
Cross-curricular learning ensures skills are transferable. Topics like the "Stocks and Share Project" and "Big Bang Science Fair" give real-world purpose to what pupils learn in lessons. Science afternoons, Arts Week, Fitness Fortnight and Book Week create immersive, themed learning blocks that motivate and engage.
Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs are well-supported with work differentiated to their specific needs. The school holds the Primary Science Quality Mark (Gold) and Artsmark Silver, reflecting strengths in these areas.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
Enrichment is extensive and genuinely embedded. The school offers:
Year 5 pupils undertake a two-night residential to Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire, where outdoor adventurous activities form the core. Canoeing, mountain walks and tunnelling challenge pupils to extend their comfort zones. The instructors emphasize teamwork and independence.
Year 6 pupils experience two trips. In the autumn term, they enjoy a five-day residential to Le Touquet, France — a notable feature of the junior years — where pupils apply French language learning in an authentic context and visit World War 2 historical sites linked to their curriculum. Later, a two-day visit to London complements their learning.
Each year group visits a place of worship, systematically studying different faiths: a church or cathedral (Christianity), a Hindu temple (Hinduism), a Sikh Gurdwara (Sikhism) and a mosque (Islam). Year 5 pupils undertake fieldwork in the Peak District's River Dove as part of their geography study, measuring water speed, depth and quality using proper field equipment.
Year 4 explores the Botanical Gardens during the Rainforests topic, and visits Coventry Cathedral to study artwork and architecture. Year 5 also participates in a visit to SafeSide, a village experience that teaches life skills related to home and community safety.
The school offers a rich, rotating programme of after-school clubs including dodgeball, mindfulness, benchball, drama, gardening, musical theatre and art and craft. Lunchtime clubs operate daily. These are accessible to all pupils, with dedicated funding ensuring that disadvantaged and pupils with special needs can participate in a club of their choice.
Specialist teaching includes choir (with some pupils learning instrumental music), and the school reports that over five different creative and performing arts clubs rotate throughout the year. No single club list is fixed; the school responds to pupil interest and staff expertise.
Pupils have genuine agency through leadership roles. School Prefects (elected Year 6 leaders), the Eco Council (environmental champions) and Junior PCSOs (community safety officers) work actively to identify issues and drive improvement. Fundraising is regular and purposeful, with pupils taking the lead on initiatives for charities including Macmillan (Coffee Morning), Comic Relief, Sport Relief and pupil-led enterprise weeks.
Beyond the specialized spaces (food technology room, outdoor classroom), the school maintains:
This is a state school with no tuition fees. The school day begins at 8:40am with gates closing at 8:55am. Pupils finish at 3:25pm (Years 3 and 4) and 3:30pm (Years 5 and 6).
The school operates Earlybirds before-school care from 7:30am, and after-school provision until 5:30pm is available through a separate provider. Holiday clubs run during main school breaks. Parents can contact the school office on 01213511346 or enquiry@walmley-jun.bham.sch.uk for care enquiries.
The school is located on Walmley Ash Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1JB, in the suburban Walmley ward of Birmingham. Parking and walking routes are common for local families. The nearest secondary schools include Plantsbrook School (2.6 miles), Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls (2.5 miles) and Bishop Walsh Catholic School (1.5 miles).
Entry to the school occurs in Year 3 (age 7), following completion of Key Stage 1 at an infant school. Admissions are non-selective and coordinated through Birmingham City Council. Parents should contact the local authority for admissions details and timelines. The school works closely with its feeder infant school, Walmley Infant and Nursery School, to ensure smooth transition and shared understanding of pupil needs.
No formal catchment boundary exists. Places are allocated according to Birmingham's standard admissions procedures, which prioritize looked-after children, then siblings of pupils already at the school, then proximity.
Pastoral support is explicitly strong. Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant working alongside the teacher, ensuring additional eyes and ears for pupil wellbeing. The school employs its own full-time School Counsellor, available for pupils experiencing bereavement, difficult family circumstances or emotional difficulties. The counsellor works with children to develop strategies for managing problems and rebuilding readiness to learn.
Friendship clubs are run by staff, targeting pupils who benefit from structured peer support. The school explicitly promotes emotional resilience, helping children develop strategies to handle obstacles and setbacks. Mental health is treated as integral to the school's mission, not an add-on.
The Ofsted report noted strong behaviour and emphasized that pupils feel very safe. Bullying is reported as very rare, and any incidents are addressed quickly and effectively. Online safety is taught through focused lessons, Safer Internet Day activities, and workshops from community police and the NSPCC.
Catchment pressure and admissions: Admissions are non-selective but popular in the locality. Parents should verify that their address falls within reasonable proximity to the school. Contact Birmingham City Council for current information on demand and waiting lists.
Specialist music provision: While the school offers choir and musical theatre, specialist instrumental tuition is not mentioned as comprehensive. Families seeking focused music development may need to explore external providers.
Limited information on SEND provision: The school describes support for pupils with special needs as strong, but detailed information on specific conditions supported or staffing levels is not extensively published. Families with a child requiring specialist SEND provision should contact the school directly to discuss suitability.
A state primary school delivering strong academic results and outstanding personal development, Walmley Junior School combines academic rigour with genuine breadth. The curriculum is imaginative and purposeful, residential trips and enrichment are ambitious, and pastoral care is considered and genuine. Results place it among the top 5% of primary schools in England. The new Headteacher, Mrs Naughton, brings substantial leadership experience and appears committed to the school's trajectory.
Best suited to families within reasonable proximity to Sutton Coldfield who value a balanced, evidence-based approach to primary education — one where achievement matters, but so does the development of resilient, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent children. Parents can have high confidence in the school's commitment to both academic excellence and pupil wellbeing. Parents interested in this school should verify proximity and begin enquiries with Birmingham City Council about admissions and waiting lists.
Yes. The school ranks in the top 5% of primary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking: 821st nationally). In the most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2024), personal development was rated Outstanding, while quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership were all rated Good. Results consistently exceed England averages, with 86% of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined (England average 62%).
Results are well above typical. In 2024, 89% achieved the expected standard in mathematics, 90% in grammar and punctuation, and 85% in reading. Remarkably, 52% of pupils achieved high attainment in reading, mathematics and GPS combined, compared to just 8% across England. Reading and mathematics scaled scores are both above the England average (108 and 109 respectively, where 100 is average).
Yes. Teaching assistants work with every class to provide additional support. The school employs a School Counsellor for pupils experiencing emotional difficulties or bereavement. Friendship clubs are available, and the curriculum is differentiated to meet individual needs. Pupils with special educational needs have work tailored to their specific abilities and progress is monitored closely.
Extensive enrichment includes Year 5 residentials to Whitemoor Lakes (with outdoor adventurous activities), Year 6 five-day trip to Le Touquet in France, and a two-day London visit. All year groups visit places of worship, and pupils undertake fieldwork in local areas and the Peak District. After-school clubs rotate regularly across sports, drama, music, gardening and art. Year 6 have leadership roles as prefects and community officers.
The school has a large field, outdoor classroom, mini allotment, wildlife garden, fully equipped food technology room, playground gym equipment and ping pong tables. There is a wealth of resources in every classroom, and displays are stimulating and regularly refreshed. The school holds Artsmark Silver and Primary Science Quality Mark Gold.
Year 6 pupils prepare carefully for secondary. The school runs a transition club in the summer holidays, conducts visits to and from partner secondary schools, and participates in a joint project in Sutton Park with secondary pupils. This reduces anxiety and builds familiarity with their next school.
Personal development is a core strength, rated Outstanding in the latest Ofsted inspection. The school operates within a framework of seven values: respect, honesty, kindness, generosity, perseverance, politeness and conscientiousness. Behaviour is strong, bullying is rare and quickly addressed, and pupils report feeling safe. The school employs a full-time counsellor and focuses on building emotional resilience.
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