St Stephen's Catholic Primary School, Welling

Ofsted's report card from its 15 April 2026 inspection grades St Stephen's Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 1 exceptional and 6 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Exceptional. "Pupils achieve exceptionally well and are thoroughly prepared to progress successfully to the next stages in learning."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Attendance is exemplary."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum which engages and enthuses pupils in their learning."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders place a high priority in ensuring that all children have a highly successful start to their school life."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is central to every aspect of leader's work and staff know each pupil well."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, governors and staff demonstrate an unwavering determination and commitment to develop and enhance the educational offer for all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils benefit from a carefully considered and aspirational programme to support their wider development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas. They should continue to seek improvement, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils, including those who may have barriers to learning".

In 2025, 95% of Year 6 pupils at St Stephen's Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 95% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Bexley and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (93% in reading, 95% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 83 families put St Stephen's Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 181 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. That is 1.4 first choices for every place. 26 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Stephen's Catholic Primary School are Hook Lane Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 77% reading, 78% maths); East Wickham Primary Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 79% maths); Danson Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 91% reading, 85% maths); and Foster's Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 85% reading, 89% maths).

St Stephen's Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

3.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 33.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (31%), Black (29%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 33 pupils (7.9%) received SEN support and 8 (1.9%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Welling Station, about 130 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Deepdene Road, 160 metres away.

St Stephen's Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St Stephen's Catholic Primary School are Welling School (0.5 miles), Bexley Grammar School (0.6 miles), Harris Academy Falconwood (0.8 miles) and Blackfen School for Girls (1.1 miles).