Richard Atkins Primary School, London

Ofsted's report card from its 23 September 2026 inspection grades Richard Atkins Primary School on 7 areas: 5 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.

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have raised expectations and strengthened the focus on the knowledge and vocabulary pupils need to learn."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have acted decisively to address previous staffing instability in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a culture where inclusion is central to daily practice."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have managed a period of significant change in leadership and governance with determination and purpose."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils' personal development is a notable feature of the school's work."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, variation in teaching has meant that achievement varies between year groups and pupil groups."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Improving pupils' attendance remains a key priority for the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to strengthen staff expertise in the teaching of phonics, ensuring that effective practice is embedded across all classes and groups of pupils"; "Leaders should continue their work to reduce variations in teaching that result in inconsistent outcomes for pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and/or have special educational needs and/or disabilities"; "Leaders should continue to improve attendance for pupils who face the highest levels of disadvantage, further reducing rates of persistent absence and ensuring that these pupils benefit fully from the opportunities the school provides".

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at Richard Atkins Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 82% and 80% in Lambeth and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 77% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Richard Atkins Primary School as their first choice and 53 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Richard Atkins Primary School are The Orchard School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 90% maths); Christ Church, Streatham Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 85% reading, 85% maths); Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 73% reading, 70% maths); and Glenbrook Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 71% reading, 90% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Richard Atkins Primary School.

41.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 53.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (35%), Mixed (24%) and other ethnic groups (15%).

In 2026, 28 pupils (13.7%) received SEN support and 13 (6.4%) 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.

Richard Atkins Primary School has a resourced provision for social, emotional and mental health needs: 15 places, 4 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Streatham Hill Station, about 1100 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Atkins Road / New Park Road, 180 metres away.

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

The secondary schools closest to Richard Atkins Primary School are Harris Academy Clapham (0.4 miles), Trinity Academy (0.7 miles), La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School (0.7 miles) and City Heights E-ACT Academy (0.7 miles).