Athelney Primary School, London

Ofsted's report card from its 23 June 2026 inspection grades Athelney Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders, staff and governors share a vision of building confident, resilient pupils through a broad range of cultural, sporting, artistic and leadership opportunities."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The broad, rich curriculum is well embedded."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a very positive start to school life in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school which has been awarded a nationally recognised quality mark for inclusion."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a precise and accurate view of the school's strengths and areas for development."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 has been well below the standards seen nationally."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders, governors and staff have an absolute priority in improving pupils' attendance."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to embed the strategies which have led to recent successes in improving attendance, so that attendance continues to improve and is sustained over time"; "Leaders should continue to raise pupils' achievement further, so that it is reflected in the outcomes of national tests, by further strengthening how pupils' misconceptions or gaps in learning are addressed swiftly and fully".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a busy and friendly school, with lots going on. Please feel free to contact the school direct with any queries you may have. Athelney Primary School is a unique and diverse learning community that provides the best possible support in enabling pupils to achieve their best."

The school runs a breakfast club, from £3.00 per day.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 9.30am, an open day on Tuesday 5 January 2027, an open day on Wednesday 6 January 2027 and an open day on Thursday 7 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 57% of Year 6 pupils at Athelney Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 78% in Lewisham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 55% in reading and 52% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Athelney Primary School as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Athelney Primary School are Elfrida Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 57% reading, 66% maths); Rathfern Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 85% maths); St John Baptist Southend Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 76% maths); and Rushey Green Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 61% reading, 60% maths).

Athelney Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

40.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 37% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (30%), White British (24%) and Mixed (18%).

In 2026, 69 pupils (19.5%) received SEN support and 43 (12.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Athelney Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 18 places, 18 pupils on roll.

Athelney Primary School had 29 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Bellingham Station, about 340 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Athelney Street (->s), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Athelney Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

Athelney Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Athelney Primary School are Conisborough College (0.5 miles), Sedgehill Academy (0.8 miles) and Bonus Pastor Catholic College (1.1 miles).