Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Faith-Based Education with Outstanding Achievement in Greenwich

Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School is a voluntary-aided faith school in Thamesmead that has maintained a Good Ofsted rating since 2008 and earned Outstanding recognition in all areas from SIAMS, the Anglican and Methodist schools inspectorate. Serving 227 pupils aged 3 to 11, the school's motto—"Be the best we can. Join in learning, play and prayer. Remember God's word"—captures a holistic commitment to academic, spiritual, and personal development. Strong attainment places the school 18th out of Greenwich primaries and in the top 15% nationally, with 85% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths against a national average of 62%.

The school's Christian foundation shapes every aspect of school life, from daily collective worship to partnerships with local churches in the Diocese of Southwark. This faith-centred ethos translates into a community-focused environment where pupils learn to "join in learning, play and prayer" as articulated in the school motto. Parents appreciate the inclusive nature of the faith provision, which welcomes families of all backgrounds while maintaining clear Christian values.

Outdoor learning stands out as a defining characteristic. The school operates a Forest School programme in its own woodland environment, where Year 1 pupils currently attend fortnightly sessions with plans to extend provision across more year groups. This commitment to outdoor education extends into the Early Years, where nursery and reception children benefit from vibrant continuous provision both indoors and outside. Inspectors have noted that children "learn as well outside of the classroom as inside it," highlighting how the natural environment supports social, emotional, and physical development alongside academic growth.

Community engagement runs deep, with initiatives including a Green Team, Black History 365 programme, Junior Travel Ambassadors, and a House System that builds belonging and friendly competition. The Friends of BJR organisation provides a formal structure for parental involvement, while volunteer opportunities invite families to contribute directly to school life. The school has achieved Healthy School status and holds accreditations including Success for All Phonics and Mathletics endorsement.

Bishop John Robinson achieves strong results that place it well above national benchmarks. Most recent data shows 85% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, substantially ahead of the 62% national average. Breaking down performance further, 100% of pupils reached the expected standard in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, while 86% met expectations in maths and 79% in reading. Science attainment stands at 100%, significantly above the 82% national figure.

At the higher standard, 30% of pupils achieve greater depth across reading, writing, and maths, almost four times the national average of 8%. In grammar, punctuation, and spelling, 48% reach the high score, alongside 45% in reading and 28% in maths. These figures place the school ranked 2,164th out of approximately 15,000 primary schools in England—in the top 15% nationally and 18th within Greenwich.

Scaled scores provide additional evidence of strong teaching: pupils average 107 in reading, 106 in maths, and 110 in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, all comfortably above the expected score of 100. The school holds accreditations in phonics and mathematics that reflect systematic approaches to foundational skills.

However, the April 2024 Ofsted inspection identified implementation challenges despite the school's Good rating. Inspectors found that "the curriculum is not routinely taught effectively," with some classes receiving activities not closely matched to curriculum aims. The checking of pupils' knowledge and understanding is not consistently embedded, meaning gaps in learning can be missed and pupils sometimes move to new content before mastering prerequisites. In early years, adults' interactions with children do not always encourage high-quality learning, though the nursery was praised for its use of rhymes, songs, and stories.

Special educational needs support receives positive recognition. Leaders identify pupils with SEND swiftly, and staff provide appropriate and effective support to enable these pupils to access the curriculum. Sarah Biney serves as the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and Inclusion Manager, ensuring that progress is regularly monitored and needs are identified and discussed promptly.

The curriculum balances core subjects—English, mathematics, science, and religious education—with a broad foundation curriculum that includes physical education and opportunities for creative and investigative learning. The Forest School environment provides a distinctive setting for experiential education, helping pupils develop resilience, creativity, and independence through hands-on activities in the natural world.

Community initiatives enrich daily life. The Black History 365 programme ensures that diverse histories and contributions are celebrated throughout the year, not confined to a single month. Junior Travel Ambassadors promote sustainable and safe travel, while the Green Team takes responsibility for environmental stewardship. The House System fosters teamwork and healthy competition across year groups, building a sense of shared identity and purpose.

Attendance is excellent, with pupil absence rates and persistent absence both very low compared to national figures. This reflects both the school's supportive pastoral environment and families' commitment to their children's education. Behaviour and personal development are supported by the school's Christian values framework, which emphasises respect, kindness, and responsibility.

Bishop John Robinson is heavily oversubscribed. With 21 reception places available, the school received 57 applications for the most recent intake—a subscription ratio of 2.71, meaning there were nearly three applicants for every place. All first-preference applicants who received offers were successful, indicating that families who make the school their top choice and meet the admissions criteria have strong prospects. The furthest distance offered in the latest round was 13.3 miles, an unusually wide reach reflecting the school's faith-based admissions policy rather than purely geographical criteria.

As a voluntary-aided Church of England school, admissions are managed by the governing body rather than the local authority. Families should consult the school's full admissions policy directly, available on the school website. The policy typically prioritises children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, looked-after children, siblings, children of active church members, and those living within a defined parish area, though exact criteria can vary and distance is applied only after higher-priority groups are accommodated.

The school is currently accepting in-year applications across Nursery, Reception, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2, suggesting some flexibility for families moving into the area or seeking a transfer. Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school to experience the ethos and environment first-hand. Admissions processes for Greenwich schools are coordinated by the local authority, and the Primary School Admissions booklet provides an overview, though faith schools often have distinct criteria that should be reviewed carefully.

Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School combines strong academic performance with a distinctive Christian ethos and a commitment to outdoor, experiential learning. The school's results place it comfortably above national averages and among the higher performers in Greenwich, with particularly impressive attainment at the higher standard and in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The Outstanding SIAMS rating underscores the depth and authenticity of the school's faith provision, which is woven into daily life through worship, values, and community partnerships.

The Forest School programme and emphasis on outdoor learning set the school apart, offering pupils rich opportunities to develop resilience, creativity, and a connection to the natural world. Community initiatives such as Black History 365 and the Green Team reflect a forward-thinking approach to inclusion and environmental responsibility. Attendance is excellent, and SEND support is swift and effective.

The school's recent Ofsted inspection, while maintaining the Good rating, identified important areas for improvement in curriculum delivery and the consistency of teaching. Not all lessons are as tightly matched to curriculum aims as they could be, and there is scope to strengthen assessment practices so that gaps in learning are identified and addressed before pupils move forward. Parents should be aware that while outcomes are strong, the journey from teaching to learning is still being refined.

Heavy oversubscription and faith-based admissions criteria mean that securing a place requires careful attention to the admissions policy, particularly around church attendance and parish boundaries. The school is an excellent fit for families who value a faith-centred education alongside outdoor learning and strong academic expectations, but competition for places is intense.

For families seeking a school where Christian values, academic rigour, and outdoor exploration come together within a close-knit community, Bishop John Robinson offers a compelling option, provided they meet the admissions criteria and can navigate the competitive entry process.

Is Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School a good school?

Yes. The school has held a Good Ofsted rating consistently since 2008 and was graded Outstanding in all areas by SIAMS in 2015. Academic results are strong, with 85% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths—well above the 62% national average—and 30% achieving the higher standard compared to 8% nationally. The school ranks in the top 15% of primary schools in England and 18th in Greenwich. However, the most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024 identified that curriculum delivery and assessment are not always consistent, meaning there is room for improvement in how teaching translates into learning.

How do I apply to Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School?

As a voluntary-aided Church of England school, admissions are managed by the school's governing body, not Greenwich Local Authority. The admissions policy is available on the school website and typically prioritises children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, looked-after children, siblings, children of active church members, and those living within the parish area. Distance is only considered after higher-priority criteria have been applied. Applications are made through the Greenwich primary admissions process, but you should review the school's specific criteria carefully. With a subscription ratio of 2.71, the school is heavily oversubscribed, so understanding the admissions policy and how your family fits within it is essential.

What makes Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School unique?

The school's combination of a strong Christian ethos, outstanding SIAMS rating, and commitment to outdoor learning through its Forest School programme distinguishes it from many other primaries. The school's motto—"Be the best we can. Join in learning, play and prayer. Remember God's word"—captures its holistic approach. Pupils benefit from regular outdoor sessions in the school's own woodland environment, where they develop resilience, creativity, and independence. Community initiatives such as Black History 365, the Green Team, and Junior Travel Ambassadors reflect an inclusive, forward-thinking approach, while excellent attendance and strong pastoral care create a supportive environment for all pupils.

What is the Forest School programme at Bishop John Robinson?

Forest School at Bishop John Robinson takes place in the school's outdoor woodland environment and is designed to support pupils' social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and intellectual development through hands-on learning in nature. Currently, Year 1 pupils attend Forest School sessions fortnightly, with half the class participating while the remaining pupils receive interventions and boosters in class. The programme is run by qualified Forest School practitioners and aims to help learners become healthy, resilient, creative, and independent. The school hopes to expand Forest School provision to more year groups in the future. Outdoor learning is highlighted as a particular strength, especially in the Early Years, where nursery and reception children learn as effectively outside as inside.

How competitive is admissions to Bishop John Robinson Church of England Primary School?

The school is heavily oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 57 applications for 21 reception places, a subscription ratio of 2.71. All families who made Bishop John Robinson their first preference and received an offer were successful, indicating that a first-preference application combined with meeting the school's admissions criteria significantly improves your chances. The furthest distance offered was 13.3 miles, reflecting the school's faith-based admissions policy rather than simple proximity. Families interested in applying should review the school's full admissions policy, pay particular attention to criteria around church attendance and parish boundaries, and consider attending an open event to understand the school's ethos and expectations.