William Murdoch Primary School
Birmingham, B21 9NT · Birmingham · primary school
Check the area around this school
138th of 258 primary schools in Birmingham we can score, 291 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.0/10 against 1,294 of them, against 4.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 68.0 · 60 | 40% | 2.41 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.60 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
William Murdoch Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 68.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council, Young People's Parliament, Sport Leaders, Playtime/Lunchtime Monitors, Librarians, and House Point Monitors. The school offers residential visits and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 591 pupils against a stated capacity of 674. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the residential visits? How does the after-school club integrate with the curriculum?
What Ofsted said about William Murdoch Primary School
Overview
William Murdoch Primary School is described as a “vibrant, welcoming school” where leaders are “ambitious for all pupils” and encourage them to ‘be their best’. Pupils are “happy and safe”, demonstrating respect and kindness, while achieving well academically and personally through a carefully sequenced curriculum in most subjects.
Strengths
- Phonics is “extremely well taught” with resources that closely match the sounds pupils are learning, ensuring a broad reading experience.
- Personal development is a strength, with pupils living the ‘REACH’ values, learning about global cultures, and developing as “active citizens”.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils “achieve well”, receiving appropriate support to learn alongside peers.
- The youngest children settle well, enjoying “carefully structured learning opportunities” and building effective relationships with staff and parents.
- Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the support from leaders regarding workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum in science and music is “not yet clearly sequenced”, and staff lack the expertise to teach these subjects effectively, meaning pupils do not know and remember as much as they should.
- Middle leaders do not fully understand their roles in checking the impact of the curriculum in the subjects they lead.
- Governance has been hampered by the pandemic; governors need to “swiftly reinstate their regular checks” on school work, particularly health and safety.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and reporting concerns swiftly, though leaders do not always systematically record all administrative checks on the school’s system.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 66% |
| 2024/25 | 68% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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