Abbey Junior School
Barclay Road, Smethwick, B67 5LTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Abbey Junior School is a primary school in Smethwick for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 133 schools in Sandwell. It ranks 9th of 15 primary schools in Smethwick. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 30 April 2015, report published 1 June 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 March 2025
Pupils are proud to attend Abbey Junior School and enjoy coming to school each day. They feel happy and secure in the supportive and caring school environment. In the words of one pupil, the school 'is a welcoming and lovely place where teachers show us how to be good people'. Behaviour in school is calm and purposeful. Pupils rise to the high expectations that staff have for them. Pupils have strong attitudes to learning in their lessons. They listen attentively and treat each other with respect. Pupils move around the school courteously and play well together in the playground. The curriculum is engaging. It is designed carefully to inspire pupils and support their learning across a broad range of subjects. Pupils live up to the high expectations of staff and achieve well. Older pupils are well prepared for their transition to secondary school. Pupils take on a range of responsibilities, becoming 'playground buddies', 'eco warriors' and members of the health and safety council. These opportunities help pupils build their leadership skills. Pupils are pleased with the positive impact their work has on the school community. As a result, pupils leave the school as confident, thoughtful and well-rounded young people.
What the school should improve
- On occasion, the school does not check what pupils know and remember well enough. As a result, there are times when pupils who need extra help, or who are ready to move their learning on, do not get the support they need. The school should ensure that all teachers have the knowledge and skills to make effective checks on pupils' learning and adjust their teaching and learning practice to meet the needs of all pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
82 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
357 pupils on roll, with places for 360
Schools near Abbey Junior School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Infant School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Gregory's Catholic Primary School | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 57% met the expected standard |
| Annie Lennard Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| Bearwood Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Uplands Manor Primary School and Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Dr Richard Kentish
- Phone
- 01214292700
- Address
- Barclay Road, Smethwick, B67 5LT
- Local authority
- Sandwell
- URN
- 103929
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.