Ofsted: Strong standard trending_up Places Available emoji_events #7 in Solihull public Top 24% UK

Dickens Heath Community Primary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Mrs J Nicholls (Headteacher)

location_onSolihull, B90 1NA

language Visit Website phone 01217338359

verified

Ofsted

Strong standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

464

school

Expected Standard

74%

local_fire_department

Demand Ratio

0.9x

summarize

Dickens Heath Community Primary School is a Community school primary school in Solihull, serving ages 3-11. Assessed at Strong standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection. Ranks in the top 24% of primary schools nationally.

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School Summary

Dickens Heath Community Primary School is a community school in Solihull, admitting pupils aged 3-11. The school has approximately 453 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 21% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #7 of 45 primaries in Solihull and #1,124 of 14,159 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Strong standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Strong standard, behaviour and attitudes Strong standard, personal development Strong standard, and leadership and management Strong standard.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 21.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

74%

LA 62%

Reading85% LA 74%

Writing79% LA 69%

Maths87% LA 73%

Read SS

109

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

66%

LA 59%England 61%

Reading85% LA 73% · Eng 74%

Writing74% LA 69% · Eng 72%

Maths77% LA 71% · Eng 73%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

74%

LA 58%England 60%

Reading82% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Writing79% LA 68% · Eng 71%

Maths95% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.3

Read

LA 0.4

0.7 to 3.9

1.1

Write

LA 0.0

-0.5 to 2.6

2.8

Maths

LA 0.1

1.3 to 4.3

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

72%

LA 65%England 65%

Reading82% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Writing87% LA 76% · Eng 78%

Maths87% LA 79% · Eng 79%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

109

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.2

Read

LA -0.2

-0.4 to 2.7

0.9

Write

LA -0.6

-0.5 to 2.4

3.0

Maths

LA -0.3

1.7 to 4.4

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

80%

LA 63%

Reading83% LA 73%

Writing85% LA 76%

Maths88% LA 73%

Read SS

109

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

109

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.9

Read

LA -1.5

0.4 to 3.4

-0.6

Write

LA -1.3

-2.1 to 0.9

1.4

Maths

LA -1.4

0 to 2.8

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Primary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	Attainment	Progress
2025	#1,124 / 14,159	#7	#3,367	#1
2024	#2,777 / 14,233	#14	#5,609	#1
2023	#1,369 / 13,940	#5	#2,546	#2,225
2019	#2,320 / 11,810	#3	#4,310	#2,414
2018	#3,802 / 10,972	#6	#1,935	#3,984

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 May 2026

Inspection Report

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05 April 2022

Inspection Report

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24 January 2017

Inspection Report

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03 July 2012

Inspection Report

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24 June 2010

Inspection Report

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04 February 2009

Inspection Report

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05 December 2005

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2026-05-19

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Strong standard

Achievement

Strong standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Strong standard

Personal Development

Strong standard

Inclusion

Strong standard

Leadership & Governance

Strong standard

Early Years

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2017-01-24

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2012-07-03

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2009-02-04

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 0.8% for this term (primary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.0%(0 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 1.225% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 457 pupils. During this period, there were 0 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.0%, which is below the termly national average of 0.8%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	457	0	0.0%	0.8%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	463	3	0.6%	0.9%
2023/24 (Summer term)	463	0	0.0%	0.8%
2023/24 (Spring term)	463	0	0.0%	0.7%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	462	0	0.0%	0.8%
2022/23 (Summer term)	459	2	0.4%	0.7%
2022/23 (Spring term)	464	2	0.4%	0.6%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	468	3	0.6%	0.6%
2021/22 (Summer term)	463	0	0.0%	0.5%
2021/22 (Spring term)	456	1	0.2%	0.5%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	458	0	0.0%	0.5%
2020/21 (Summer term)	443	1	0.2%	0.4%
2020/21 (Spring term)	447	0	0.0%	0.1%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	444	0	0.0%	0.4%
2019/20 (Summer term)	447	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	447	0	0.0%	0.4%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	450	3	0.7%	0.6%
2018/19 (Summer term)	458	0	0.0%	0.4%
2018/19 (Spring term)	447	2	0.4%	0.5%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	441	1	0.2%	0.5%
2017/18 (Summer term)	438	0	0.0%	0.5%
2017/18 (Spring term)	439	0	0.0%	0.4%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	440	0	0.0%	0.5%
2016/17 (Summer term)	453	0	0.0%	0.4%
2016/17 (Spring term)	456	0	0.0%	0.4%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	454	2	0.4%	0.5%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 21 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 20 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 19 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

93%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

95%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

94%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree64%

agree29%

strongly disagree7%

not applicable84%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree59%

agree35%

disagree2%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree60%

agree29%

Neither agree nor disagree6%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree66%

agree28%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree55%

agree31%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

Neither agree nor disagree6%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree55%

agree31%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

not applicable6%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes31%

no69%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree58%

agree31%

disagree8%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes93%

no7%

Top Primary Schools in Solihull

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

St Alphege Church of England Junior School

Requires improvement

location_on Solihull, B91 3JG

emoji_events #1 in LA

Monkspath Junior and Infant School

Expected standard

location_on Solihull, B90 4EH

emoji_events #2 in LA

Lady Katherine Leveson Church of England Primary School

Good

location_on Solihull, B93 0AN

emoji_events #3 in LA

Smith's Wood Primary Academy

Outstanding

location_on Birmingham, B36 0SZ

emoji_events #4 in LA

Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School

Good

location_on Solihull, B93 9AS

emoji_events #5 in LA

Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Primary School

Good

location_on Solihull, B90 4AY

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Solihull arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Primary Schools in Solihull

St Alphege Church of England Junior School

Monkspath Junior and Infant School

Lady Katherine Leveson Church of England Primary School

Smith's Wood Primary Academy

Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School

Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Primary School