Priestley Smith School

Priestley Smith School continues to maintain the high standards established in previous inspections, demonstrating effective leadership and a strong commitment to enhancing the educational experience for pupils with visual impairments. The school fosters a supportive and engaging environment, enabling all pupils to thrive academically and personally. The curriculum is carefully designed to meet individual needs and interests, allowing for excellent progress and engagement in a variety of activities that promote resilience and independence. Pupils enjoy a range of enrichment opportunities, from swimming and rock climbing to academic pursuits in literacy and life skills. The school takes pride in its positive culture, where relationships between pupils and staff are nurturing and built on mutual respect. Attendance and behavior are noted as improving, attributing this success to proactive measures and a calm school atmosphere. Overall, the school is well-equipped to prepare pupils for their future in a supportive and engaging way.

Strengths

• Exceptional care and education tailored to individual needs.
• Strong implementation of adaptive technologies for learning.
• Broad and ambitious curriculum that promotes excellent progress.
• Effective personal social, health and economic education programme.
• Positive culture fostering excellent relationships and support.
• Innovative enrichment activities encouraging resilience.

In 2024–25 pupils at Priestley Smith School attended 88.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 41.8% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 3.4% of pupils at Priestley Smith School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Priestley Smith School had 6.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Priestley Smith School had 94 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: vision impairment.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Priestley Smith School received £37,975 and spent £36,504 for each of its 94 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £579,000 (£6,158 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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What is Priestley Smith School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Priestley Smith School is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Priestley Smith School last inspected by Ofsted?

Priestley Smith School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Priestley Smith School have?

Priestley Smith School has 94 pupils on roll.

What age range does Priestley Smith School cover?

Priestley Smith School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Priestley Smith School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Priestley Smith School?

Priestley Smith School is at Perry Beeches Campus, Beeches Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, West Midlands, B42 2PY.