Four state primary schools from the West Midlands have achieved national recognition, securing coveted spots within the top 100 in the UK. This prestigious ranking comes from The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide for 2026, released in December 2025 and widely regarded as the most authoritative survey of the country's top educational institutions.
Celebrating Academic Excellence in the Region
The annual guide, published on 16th December 2025, evaluates and ranks the top 1,000 state primary schools across the country. The rankings are determined primarily by pupils' Key Stage 2 results in reading, grammar and mathematics from 2024. Alongside highlighting 700 leading secondary schools, the publication shines a light on primary schools delivering outstanding academic outcomes.
This year's results have brought significant acclaim to the West Midlands, with four of its schools breaking into the elite national top 100. This achievement underscores the region's commitment to high-quality foundational education.
The Top-Performing Schools
Leading the charge for the region is Lift Lea Forest Primary School in Birmingham, which secured an impressive 10th place nationally. The guide's editors commended the school not only for its strong academic results but also for its clear and ambitious teaching philosophy. A major strength identified was the school's well-sequenced curriculum, which places a core emphasis on reading and writing.
The other three schools that earned a place in the top 100 are:
- St Filumena's Catholic Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent, ranked 67th nationally.
- Little Sutton Primary School in Sutton Coldfield, which achieved 77th place in the country.
- St Anne's Catholic Primary School, also in Sutton Coldfield, ranked 94th nationally.
What This Means for Local Education
The inclusion of these four schools in a national top 100 list is a significant accolade for the West Midlands. It highlights pockets of exceptional educational practice and provides a benchmark for excellence. For parents, the Parent Power Guide serves as a crucial resource when making informed decisions about their children's schooling.
The recognition is based on hard data from standardized assessments, offering a transparent measure of academic performance. It celebrates schools that are successfully equipping their pupils with essential literacy and numeracy skills as they prepare for the transition to secondary education.
This news will undoubtedly be a source of pride for the school communities involved, including staff, pupils, and parents, validating their collective efforts and dedication to achieving high educational standards.
