Good Shepherd RC School Review 2026: Catholic Primary with Accessible Admissions in Downham

Good Shepherd RC School is a one-form entry Catholic primary serving Downham, on the Lewisham–Bromley border in south-east London. Built around the motto "Light Life Love" and rooted in the Gospel teaching "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), the school educates boys and girls aged 3 to 11 on a site known for its extensive outdoor sporting facilities. With a capacity for 290 pupils and an on-site nursery, the school operates as a voluntary-aided institution under Lewisham local authority. Most recent results placed 67% of Year 6 pupils at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, above the national average, though the January 2025 Ofsted inspection judged quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership as requiring improvement, with personal development rated good.

The Catholic ethos permeates daily life at Good Shepherd. The school's spiritual mission emphasises that every child is valued, a commitment reflected in the staff's knowledge of each pupil by name. Faith development sits alongside academic progress, with collective worship, sacramental preparation and values drawn from Catholic social teaching woven through the curriculum and pastoral care.

Leadership is provided by headteacher Miss Lisa De Souza. The school has developed significantly over the past decade in response to changing educational needs, seeking to equip pupils with the resilience and character to meet life's challenges while drawing on their faith for spiritual development.

The environment is described as caring and inclusive. Families are invited to visit the school, with Year 6 pupils acting as tour guides during admissions visits. A strong relationship with parents is maintained through newsletters, class forums and community links, and the school has offered additional support for families navigating cost-of-living pressures.

Good Shepherd educates approximately 231 pupils, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 23:1. The school employs 9.45 full-time teachers and 8 full-time assistant teachers. Around 54 pupils are eligible for free school meals, and just over half the cohort speaks English as an additional language.

In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, comfortably exceeding the national average of 62%. Individual subject performance varied: 80% met the expected standard in reading (average scaled score 105), compared to 50% in maths (average scaled score 101) and 63% in grammar, punctuation and spelling (average scaled score 102). Science attainment stood at 67%, below the national 82%. At the higher standard, 17% of pupils achieved greater depth or high scores across the core subjects, above the national 8%, though writing showed particular challenge, with just 7% reaching greater depth.

The January 2025 Ofsted inspection, under the framework that no longer awards overall effectiveness grades, judged the quality of education as requiring improvement. Behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, also required improvement. Personal development was rated good, and early years provision required improvement. The inspection followed a period in which the school had been rated good under the previous grading system.

The curriculum is enriched through educational visits, workshops, visiting speakers and a programme of after-school clubs. Music provision and a breakfast club and after-school childcare support busy families.

The school benefits from substantial outdoor space dedicated to sports and play. Pupils have access to recreational areas that support active lifestyles and physical development. Extracurricular opportunities extend learning beyond the classroom, with clubs, enrichment activities and trips designed to broaden horizons.

The nursery provision serves children from age 3, offering an early years foundation that integrates seamlessly with the main school. The one-form entry structure fosters a tight-knit community where relationships between staff, pupils and families are close.

Good Shepherd is a voluntary-aided Catholic school, meaning admissions are managed by the governing body, though applications are submitted via the Lewisham common application form. The school is oversubscribed at primary entry, with 63 applications competing for 27 places in the most recent cycle—a subscription rate of 2.33:1. All first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, reflecting a prioritisation system that likely favours Catholic families meeting faith-based criteria.

As a faith school, Good Shepherd typically gives priority to baptised Catholic children, with criteria often including evidence of practice and support from a parish priest. Non-Catholic applicants may be considered if places remain after Catholic applicants have been accommodated, though in oversubscribed years this is less likely. Parents should consult the school's published admissions policy for full details of the oversubscription criteria and required documentation.

The school is situated in Downham, a residential area on the Lewisham–Bromley boundary. Its postcode places it within the London Borough of Bromley for postal purposes, but it is maintained by Lewisham council. Families considering Good Shepherd should be aware that distance from the school may be less influential than faith criteria in determining admissions outcomes.

Applications must be made through Lewisham's coordinated admissions process, with key deadlines and timelines set by the local authority. Parents are encouraged to visit the school and confirm current admissions arrangements directly with the office, as criteria and timelines can vary from year to year.

Good Shepherd RC School is a small Catholic primary with a strong sense of community, a clear faith identity and recent academic outcomes above the national average in combined reading, writing and maths. The school's commitment to valuing every child, its experienced staff and its enriched curriculum offer a supportive environment for families seeking a Catholic education.

However, the January 2025 Ofsted inspection identified areas requiring improvement in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, signalling that the school is working through a period of development. Personal development remains a strength, and the school's track record of adapting to educational challenges over the past decade suggests a leadership team committed to raising standards.

For Catholic families living in Downham and the surrounding Lewisham–Bromley area, Good Shepherd offers a faith-centred primary education with accessible admissions for those meeting the religious criteria. The school's oversubscription reflects its appeal within the Catholic community, and its outdoor facilities and tight-knit environment suit families prioritising pastoral care and spiritual development. Prospective parents should weigh the recent inspection judgements against the school's ethos, results and trajectory, and visit to assess whether the school's direction aligns with their expectations for their child.

Is Good Shepherd RC School a good school?

Good Shepherd RC School is a Catholic primary with recent Key Stage 2 results above the national average in combined reading, writing and maths (67% vs 62% nationally). However, the January 2025 Ofsted inspection judged quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management as requiring improvement, with personal development rated good. The school offers a strong faith-based ethos and a caring, inclusive environment, but is currently working to address areas identified for development by inspectors.

How do I apply to Good Shepherd RC School?

Applications are made through the Lewisham common application form, available via the Lewisham council website. As a voluntary-aided Catholic school, Good Shepherd sets its own admissions criteria, typically prioritising baptised Catholic children who meet faith-based requirements. Parents should consult the school's published admissions policy for full oversubscription criteria, required documentation (such as a certificate of Catholic practice), and deadlines. The school is oversubscribed, with recent subscription rates of 2.33:1 at primary entry.

What are the admissions criteria for Good Shepherd RC School?

Good Shepherd RC School is a Catholic voluntary-aided school that prioritises baptised Catholic children in its admissions. Oversubscription criteria typically include evidence of Catholic practice, support from a parish priest, and proximity to the school for Catholic applicants. Non-Catholic applicants may be considered if places remain after Catholic applicants have been accommodated. Parents should refer to the school's admissions policy on its website or contact the school office for the full criteria and evidence required.

What are the school's results like?

In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national 62%. Individual subject outcomes varied: 80% met expectations in reading, 63% in grammar and punctuation, and 50% in maths. At the higher standard, 17% of pupils achieved greater depth or high scores across core subjects, compared to the national 8%. Science attainment was 67%, below the national 82%. The school is ranked 11,961st in England for primary performance.

What is the school's Ofsted rating?

The most recent Ofsted inspection took place in January 2025 under a framework that no longer awards an overall effectiveness grade. Inspectors judged quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management as requiring improvement. Personal development was rated good, and early years provision required improvement. Prior to September 2024, the school was rated good under the previous Ofsted grading system.

Is Good Shepherd RC School oversubscribed?

Yes. Good Shepherd RC School is oversubscribed at primary entry. In the most recent admissions cycle, 63 applications were received for 27 places, representing a subscription rate of 2.33:1. All first-preference applicants who received offers were successful, indicating that the school's faith-based admissions criteria are the primary determinant of offers rather than distance from the school.