Three Bridges Primary School, Southall Review 2026: Consistently Outstanding

In Norwood Green, where the canal meets everyday Southall, Three Bridges Primary School occupies a green and spacious campus where children split their time between two sites. The school's vision, refined over years of development, captures something essential: a developing critical mind; eyes wide open, hands outstretched; a full, strong and healthy heart. The 2025 Ofsted inspection, conducted in January, confirmed that Three Bridges has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous Outstanding rating in July 2019. Ranked 366th in England for Key Stage 2 outcomes (top 2% nationally), and 4th among Ealing primaries, this is Southall's only Outstanding rated primary school. With 436 pupils aged 3 to 11, the school operates as a two-form entry establishment with strong academic results, a distinctive emphasis on physical and mental wellbeing, and a culture where pupils actively relish the learning on offer. Most tellingly, demand remains fierce: 110 applications chased just 58 Reception places in 2024.

Three Bridges operates across two linked campuses in Norwood Green. The Lower Site (Gales Place) houses Nursery, Reception, and Key Stage 1; the Upper Site (Gales Drive) accommodates Key Stage 2. This split arrangement, while requiring some logistical coordination, creates distinct communities within each phase.

The atmosphere at Three Bridges reflects a school genuinely comfortable with itself. Staff appear engaged and positive. Teachers collaborate in planning series of lessons together, which Headteacher Dr Jeremy Hannay explains eliminates blame culture; when something works less well, the team goes back to the drawing board rather than directing criticism at individuals. Pupils move around the campuses with calm purposefulness. They display what the Ofsted inspectors termed genuine enthusiasm for learning, particularly during lessons and in the breadth of clubs and trips offered.

The Ofsted inspection team found that Three Bridges Primary is a remarkable school. Its curriculum is ambitious and carefully constructed, providing a highly positive and inspiring learning environment. From the Nursery onwards, children establish strong foundations in communication, cooperation, and care for each other. This is built systematically throughout the school. Teachers impart knowledge carefully and check pupils' learning skilfully, ensuring knowledge is developed and deepened in progressive steps. The school places strong emphasis on behaviour and conduct. Children learn early on to cooperate, take turns, and play purposefully with one another. Older pupils help and support each other, including on the playground. Bullying is rare; when incidents occur, teachers address them swiftly. Attendance is good and punctuality is emphasised as important to pupils' current and future lives.

Leadership under Dr Hannay, who took the headship in 2017 after a decade at the school in other roles, has established what inspectors described as a culture of growth, trust, and innovation for staff. Governors are highly reflective and use an evidence-informed approach. Professional development is of the highest quality, with staff undertaking 'passion' projects that contribute to their own development and the school more widely. Staff appreciate efforts to reduce workload through a bespoke assessment system and allocated time to embed new initiatives. Wellbeing days are valued, signalling that staff wellbeing is a genuine priority.

Key Stage 2 Performance

Three Bridges achieved exceptionally strong results in 2024. 89% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly above the England average of 62%. The gap widens when examining deeper understanding: 45% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of just 8%. These figures represent not one-off success but consistent performance over time.

The school's scaled scores in individual subjects reinforce this picture. The reading average scaled score was 109 (England average: 100), the mathematics average was 109, and grammar, punctuation and spelling averaged 113. Science achievement was equally impressive, with 97% meeting the expected standard. The school's overall KS2 score of 331 places it well ahead of typical performance.

At the FindMySchool ranking level, Three Bridges occupies 366th position nationally in England, placing it in the top 2% of primary schools. Locally, the school ranks 4th among primary schools in Ealing. This position reflects the school's consistent investment in reading, writing, and mathematics from the earliest years, with specialist phonics teaching beginning in Reception using the Sounds Write approach, which the school has formally accredited.

Distinctive Curriculum Strengths

The Ofsted inspection highlighted how well reading is prioritised. Starting in Reception, an effective phonics approach enables children to blend and separate sounds and read words accurately. By Year 1, pupils read with increased fluency and accuracy. Those who struggle receive targeted support, which boosts both confidence and reading skills. The curriculum is highly effective in developing composition skills, including using phonics knowledge to write words and sentences accurately.

Mathematics teaching follows similar precision. Reception-age children learn to count to five and understand addition and subtraction through varied approaches. By Year 1, they apply this knowledge to a wider range of numbers. Well-focused teaching also helps pupils know and remember more in greater detail; for example, Year 3 pupils confidently recall the differences between maps and globes and make comparisons between different hemispheres.

SEND Provision

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities achieve very well. The school employs robust approaches to identification and assessment of pupils' needs, with careful adaptations to resources and teaching. Staff provide expert support, enabling pupils to learn effectively with increasing independence. A dedicated SEND coordinator, supported by specialist therapies including speech and language therapy delivered by Mr Gartside on site, ensures early intervention and progress monitoring.

Teaching at Three Bridges is characterised by clarity of expectations and subject knowledge. Teachers receive excellent professional development, equipping them with expertise to deliver the curriculum across all subjects consistently well. The school's bespoke assessment system reduces unnecessary workload whilst maintaining rigorous progress tracking.

Early English is emphasised throughout. Nursery-age children learn subject-specific vocabulary such as words relating to dinosaurs. The school's strong focus on developing pupils' language from the Nursery onwards is reflected in high attainment across the school. Spanish is taught as part of the modern foreign languages curriculum. Art and music are taught as discrete subjects to all pupils, not squeezed into foundation time. Design and technology, drama, and dance are thoughtfully integrated into topic work.

The school's enriched experiences expand beyond the standard curriculum. Forest School is a distinctive feature, with pupils studying topics such as the Southall Uprising whilst making fires outdoors under supervision. Canoeing and kayaking are taught near a local canal, with pupils developing strong water safety understanding. The MINDup programme supports emotional learning. The Thrive Approach underpins pastoral and PSHE support.

The school's two-form entry structure with average class sizes of 29 pupils creates a predictable pathway. Pupils typically progress to local secondary schools including Featherstone High School (1.3 miles), Drayton Manor High School (2.2 miles), and Lampton Academy (2.3 miles). For families seeking grammar school places, the school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions but does not offer intensive preparation, acknowledging that such coaching sits with families. A small number secure grammar school places annually, particularly at schools such as Reading School and Kendrick School.

The school maintains a supportive transition process. Year 6 pupils visit their secondary schools, and secondary staff visit Three Bridges. The transition is designed to feel manageable rather than daunting for nine-year-olds moving to much larger establishments.

Music: A Living Strength

Music is woven throughout Three Bridges in a way that touches most pupils. Every Year 6 pupil learns steel pan drums as part of the mandatory curriculum. Mr Constantine, the specialist steel pans teacher, ensures the experience is accessible and enjoyable. Every Year 3 pupil receives whole-class guitar tuition, taught by Ms Lopez. Individual or small-group instrumental opportunities exist across piano (tutored by Mr Hatch and Mr Osafo), violin (Mrs Hatch), and drums (Mr Conway).

The school choir performs at major events. Pupils relish participating in Young Voices, the large-scale vocal event held annually at arenas. A singing assembly structure, with separate KS1 and KS2 sessions on Mondays, embeds music into the rhythm of the week. The school participates in peripatetic music initiatives, with visiting musicians working alongside school staff to build musical culture.

Arts & Drama

Art and design are taught as discrete subjects, ensuring pupils develop genuine capability in drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Miss Sharpe leads this area. Drama features prominently in the curriculum, both as a teaching tool within topics and as a performance art. Annual drama productions allow pupils to showcase work to parents; the school has hosted professional theatre visits, such as the Sleeping Beauty performance by Outside the Box Productions.

Sports, Movement & Physical Activity

Physical education is led by Mr Romeril in Key Stage 2. The school offers between 10 and 15 different sports across the year, including football, netball, basketball, and competitive representation from Year 3 onwards. Pupils take part in local sports competitions and tournaments. Let's Leap @ Three Bridges operates as the on-site holiday club, offering extended movement activities. Dance is taught as a class-based provision for all pupils Reception through Year 6, led by a resident dance teacher named Don who cycles through every year group.

The school can accommodate students who have taken canoe and kayak coaching with Mr Underwood near the local canal; water safety is explicitly taught as part of the physical education and PSHE curriculum.

Digital Leaders & Pupil Parliament

Pupils take on roles beyond the classroom. The Digital Sports Leaders programme empowers older pupils to support PE lessons. Pupils also serve as members of parliament, a role that develops leadership and voice. These structures reflect the school's commitment to developing confident, articulate, and respectful individuals.

Clubs & Societies

The school runs a rotating programme of clubs each half term. iRock is a named music club where pupils learn to perform together. A Drawing Club caters to pupils who enjoy visual art. Academic enrichment includes year-group specific activities. Let's Leap provides external holiday clubs. The school encourages pupils to try new things, understanding that clubs provide structured exposure to activities outside the standard week.

Trips & Enrichment

Year 6 pupils undertake a residential trip, a significant experience for ten-year-olds. Topic work is enriched through visits: pupils visit local museums, heritage sites, and outdoor spaces. The school structures learning so that abstract concepts are anchored in real experience; for example, studying the Southall Uprising becomes more meaningful when linked to local history and community context.

Three Bridges is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 110 applications for just 58 Reception places, a ratio of 1.9 applications per place. Admissions are coordinated through Ealing's local authority coordinated scheme. After looked-after children, children with an EHCP naming the school, and siblings, places are allocated by distance from the school gate. The exact last distance offered varies year on year based on where applicants live. Parents should consult the school's admissions page and use FindMySchool tools to verify their distance against historical thresholds.

The school also offers Nursery provision for three-year-old children. Government funding for 15 hours per week is available for eligible families; the school also accepts families purchasing additional sessions. The Nursery is integral to school culture; transition from Nursery to Reception is supported, and many families maintain connection to the school across multiple years.

School day: 8:45am arrival, school starts 8:55am with English. Break at 10:25am. Mathematics begins 10:40am. Lunch at 12:00pm. The foundation block (art, music, topic, PE, computing) begins 1:00pm. School ends 3:15pm.

Wraparound care is extensive. Breakfast club operates from 7:30am, run by school staff. After-school care extends to 6:00pm, provided by Let's Leap, an external contractor. Holiday clubs operate during school holidays.

The school occupies two sites in Norwood Green. The Lower Site is on Gales Place; the Upper Site is on Gales Drive. Both are within walking distance and accessible by car, though parking on local streets is limited and subject to time restrictions. The school is served by local bus routes. The nearest secondary school by distance is Featherstone High School, approximately 1.3 miles away.

Three Bridges takes wellbeing seriously. A children's play therapist (Mrs Sherwin) works with pupils who need additional emotional support. The Thrive Approach underpins pastoral work, helping pupils develop resilience, regulation, and emotional literacy. The school's behaviour policy is underpinned by high expectations and clear structures; pupils know what is expected and why it matters.

Safeguarding is a clear strength. The Ofsted inspection confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective. The school emphasises consent, boundaries, and respect. Pupils learn about online safety explicitly. All staff are trained to recognise safeguarding concerns. The school works with local authority partners when needed.

Mental health is talked about openly. The school's MINDup programme supports all pupils in developing awareness of their own emotions and those of others. Mindful movement sessions and well-being days for staff signal that the school values psychological health, not just academic output.

Oversubscription pressure: With nearly two applications for every place, securing a space requires either living very close to the school or being within the catchment area defined by the local authority. Families who do not secure a place are often disappointed. Parents should verify their home address distance against the school's admissions criteria and obtain confirmation of last distance offered from the local authority.

Transition at age 7: The split-site arrangement means pupils move from the Lower Site to the Upper Site at the end of Year 2. This is managed carefully with transition visits and planning, but some pupils may find the physical move to a new building and larger Key Stage disruptive. Families should ask the school about how transition support is tailored for pupils who find change difficult.

Limited on-site parking: Both campuses have restricted parking. Families who rely on car drop-off during peak times may experience stress. The school encourages walking, cycling, and public transport. Some families arrange childcare swaps to manage the school run.

Grammar school culture: The area contains grammar schools within reasonable distance. Some families pursue 11-plus entry, creating a subset of pupils who undertake additional tutoring elsewhere. This is not the school's focus, but families should be aware that peer group discussion may include 11-plus preparation language.

Three Bridges is among Southall's finest primary schools, with a genuine claim to being the area's only currently Outstanding-rated primary. The school combines academic rigour with authentic pastoral care and a rich enriched curriculum. Pupils achieve exceptionally well, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics, and they appear to genuinely enjoy the learning and social experiences on offer. The school's vision of developing the whole child is not merely aspirational language; it is realised through a carefully sequenced curriculum, specialist teaching, enriched experiences, and staff who are invested in pupil development beyond grades.

The school is best suited to families living within reasonable distance of Norwood Green (the tight admissions picture makes this essential), who value the combination of academic strength and wellbeing focus, and who appreciate that learning extends beyond the classroom into forest schools, canals, and local history. For those who secure a place, the education on offer is genuinely excellent.