Cardwell Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Ofsted-Rated Community School in Woolwich

Cardwell Primary School is an Outstanding state primary in Woolwich recognised by Unicef as a Rights Respecting School. The school serves 448 pupils aged 3–11 across two-form entry (60 places per year from Reception to Year 6), with an additional nursery offering 104 early years places. Under the leadership of Mrs Lisa Lazell—a 2020 Pearson National Teaching Awards Silver Winner for Headteacher of the Year—the school operates as part of the Ambition Federation alongside Eglinton and Henwick Primary schools. In the most recent results, 80% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, exceeding the national average of 62%. The school holds Artsmark accreditation and a Gold award, reflecting a commitment to enriching the curriculum through arts, music and a broad range of extracurricular activities including residential trips for Years 4 and 6. Located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cardwell draws pupils from a diverse catchment, with 72% speaking English as an additional language. Admissions to Reception are heavily oversubscribed: for recent intakes, 158 applications competed for 60 places, and the furthest successful applicant lived 3.4 miles away.

Cardwell's identity is built around five core values: Mutual Respect, Resilience, Ambition, Compassion and Community. These values appear on the school's "Cardwell Wheel" logo, which illustrates the commitment to removing barriers to learning and building lasting partnerships with families. The school's motto, "Learning for Life", underpins daily practice, and children's rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are embedded across all aspects of school life. As a Unicef Rights Respecting School, Cardwell ensures every pupil understands their rights and responsibilities, fostering an atmosphere that promotes democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. Each class develops its own charter, giving children a voice in creating safe, calm learning environments.

The school's mission is to help each child achieve their full social and academic potential whilst feeling valued and safe. This vision is particularly significant given the demographic context: almost three-quarters of pupils come from homes where English is an additional language, and the school works closely with families to overcome the associated learning barriers. Leadership invests in curriculum-linked trips and specialist visitors to broaden pupils' horizons and enrich vocabulary, recognising that many children do not have routine access to cultural experiences outside school. Lynn Preston, the long-serving Child Welfare Officer, provides a bridge between families, school and external agencies, offering support on matters ranging from housing and social services to specialist needs. This wraparound pastoral approach, combined with a strong academic focus, creates a supportive community atmosphere where staff and pupils feel inspired to reach their full potential.

Cardwell's most recent Key Stage 2 outcomes demonstrate solid attainment well above national averages. In the latest results, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%. In individual subjects, 76% reached the expected standard in reading, 80% in maths, 69% in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 85% in science. At the higher standard, 26% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing and maths combined, again surpassing the national benchmark of 8%. Average scaled scores were 104 in reading, 105 in maths and 107 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, all comfortably above the expected level of 100.

The school ranks 6,448th in England on primary attainment, placing it within the national typical range and 45th in the Greenwich local area. While these rankings reflect steady performance, the attainment figures themselves show that pupils are making good progress against a challenging context. Progress measures suggest outcomes are broadly in line with expectations nationally, and the school's focus on vocabulary enrichment, specialist support and a knowledge-rich curriculum appears to be translating into tangible gains for learners.

Cardwell operates a robust approach to supporting pupils with special educational needs. Mrs Karen Dolan, the school's SENCO, coordinates closely with class teachers and teaching assistants to ensure appropriate support is tailored to each child's needs. She also line-manages the educational psychologist, speech and language therapists and other professionals to maximise effectiveness in meeting the needs of vulnerable children. All admissions for pupils with disabilities follow the Royal Borough of Greenwich's standard route unless a child holds an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), in which case the local authority's SEN team consults the school to confirm whether needs can be met. Transition meetings involving previous settings, parents and relevant professionals are arranged to ensure smooth entry.

The curriculum is broad, with art and music taught as discrete subjects and design technology, drama and dance integrated across the wider programme. Teachers emphasise enrichment through themed weeks, specialist speakers and regular educational visits for all year groups. Reception pupils benefit from Forest School sessions, and residential trips in Years 4 and 6 offer extended opportunities for team-building and independent learning. Maths booster sessions, coding clubs and Rocksteady band lessons (now available to Reception pupils) supplement the core curriculum and support engagement across ability levels.

Extracurricular provision at Cardwell is extensive and designed to build independence, confidence and creativity. The range of clubs is updated each term in response to feedback from pupils and families. Current offerings include football (for boys and girls, including dedicated team training), taekwondo, gymnastics, cheerleading, ballet, choir, guitar lessons and coding. Rocksteady music lessons, which allow children to form bands and learn instruments collectively, are now accessible from Reception upwards. A Breakfast Club operates from 8am, providing breakfast and early-morning care for £3 per day, supporting working families and giving children a calm start to the school day.

Sport features prominently in the school calendar. Pupils participate in between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year, with competitive teams fielded in major sports from Year 3 onwards. The school organises and participates in borough-wide sporting events and competitions, offering children regular opportunities to represent Cardwell and develop teamwork and resilience. The arts also hold a strong position: the school's Artsmark accreditation reflects a sustained commitment to high-quality arts education, and the presence of a choir and school band enables musical collaboration and performance opportunities.

The school's site on Frances Street in Woolwich provides a compact but well-utilised environment. Facilities support a varied curriculum, and the integrated Children's Centre offers early education, childcare, health services and family support for local families with young children. The site's urban setting means outdoor space is at a premium, but the school makes effective use of local resources and external venues to enrich learning. Forest School sessions for Reception pupils and residential trips for older year groups broaden children's experiences beyond the classroom and neighbourhood.

Cardwell takes an inclusive approach to special educational needs, working within Greenwich's local authority framework to ensure all pupils make the best possible progress in a mainstream setting wherever families wish this to happen. Mrs Karen Dolan, the school's SENCO, leads a coordinated effort involving class teachers, teaching assistants, an educational psychologist and speech and language therapists. Her role includes regular meetings with staff to review provision, line-managing specialist professionals and liaising with parents to tailor support appropriately.

The school supports a range of learning differences and needs, reflecting the diverse cohort. Given that 72% of pupils speak English as an additional language, speech and language therapy plays a particularly important role in addressing communication needs and supporting vocabulary development. For pupils with EHCPs or more complex needs, the Royal Borough of Greenwich SEN team consults with Cardwell to ensure the school can meet requirements before a place is offered. Transition meetings involving previous settings, parents and professionals are standard practice, facilitating continuity of support.

Parents can contact Mrs Dolan through the school office for more information on SEN provision. The school also benefits from Lynn Preston, the Child Welfare Officer, who has supported families at Cardwell for many years, providing a link between home, school and external services on issues including housing, social services and specialist needs. This dual layer of SENCO expertise and pastoral support ensures families feel well-supported as they navigate the system.

Admissions to Cardwell Primary School are coordinated by the Royal Borough of Greenwich Admissions Team and follow Greenwich's standard primary allocation process. Parents apply for up to six schools in ranked order, and places are allocated centrally in late April for the following September. Cardwell is a two-form entry school with 60 Reception places available each year; having a place in the school's Nursery does not guarantee automatic entry to Reception, and families must submit a formal application through the local authority.

Cardwell is heavily oversubscribed on first preferences every year. In the most recent admissions round, 158 applications were received for 60 places—a subscription ratio of 2.63. The furthest distance offered was 3.4 miles, indicating that families living at significant distances can secure places if they rank the school highly and meet the oversubscription criteria. Greenwich's standard criteria typically prioritise looked-after children, children with an EHCP naming the school, siblings, and then proximity. Families considering Cardwell should review Greenwich's published admissions policy carefully and check previous years' distances to gauge the likelihood of success.

The school's strong Ofsted rating, inclusive ethos and robust track record of exceeding national attainment benchmarks make it attractive to families across Woolwich and the surrounding area. The catchment reflects Woolwich's diverse population, and Cardwell's expertise in supporting pupils with English as an additional language is a significant strength. Parents seeking a community-oriented, values-driven primary with a proven record of helping children reach the expected standards should consider Cardwell as a competitive option, but they should also list alternative preferences to ensure a place within reasonable distance.

Cardwell Primary School delivers a strong, well-rounded primary education rooted in clear values and a commitment to inclusion. The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating, achieved in November 2024 across all inspection categories, confirms the quality of teaching, leadership, behaviour and early years provision. Attainment outcomes are well above national averages, and the school's success in supporting a high proportion of pupils with English as an additional language speaks to the professionalism and dedication of the staff team. Mrs Lisa Lazell's nationally recognised leadership sets an aspirational tone, and the school's membership of the Ambition Federation provides additional support and opportunities for collaboration.

The curriculum is enriched by regular trips, specialist visitors, residential experiences and a wide range of clubs covering sports, arts and academic extension. The Unicef Rights Respecting School designation, Artsmark accreditation and Gold award reflect a culture that values creativity, respect and children's agency. Pastoral care is comprehensive, with a dedicated Child Welfare Officer and a well-coordinated SEN support structure ensuring that vulnerable families receive timely, practical help.

For families who value a values-led, community-focused primary with strong academic outcomes and a genuine commitment to removing barriers to learning, Cardwell offers a compelling package. Competition for places is intense, and families should apply early, rank the school highly and ensure they understand Greenwich's oversubscription criteria. Those fortunate enough to secure a place will find a nurturing, ambitious environment where children are encouraged to develop resilience, ambition and compassion alongside solid academic foundations.

Is Cardwell Primary School a good school?

Yes. Cardwell Primary School holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating across all categories, awarded in November 2024. Attainment at Key Stage 2 is well above national averages, with 80% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally. The school is led by Mrs Lisa Lazell, a Pearson National Teaching Awards Silver Winner, and is recognised by Unicef as a Rights Respecting School. The curriculum is enriched by arts, music, sports and residential trips, and pastoral support is strong.

How do I apply to Cardwell Primary School?

Applications are made through the Royal Borough of Greenwich Admissions Team. For Reception entry, parents apply online via the Greenwich portal in the autumn term before the September start (typically between October and mid-January). You may list up to six schools in order of preference. Cardwell is heavily oversubscribed, so families should review Greenwich's oversubscription criteria, check previous years' furthest distances offered (recently 3.4 miles) and rank Cardwell highly if it is a strong preference. Having a Nursery place does not guarantee automatic entry to Reception.

What are the school's core values?

Cardwell's five core values are Mutual Respect, Resilience, Ambition, Compassion and Community. These values appear on the school's Cardwell Wheel logo and underpin the ethos and daily practice. The school's motto is "Learning for Life", and as a Unicef Rights Respecting School, children's rights are embedded across all aspects of school life.

Does Cardwell Primary School offer breakfast and after-school clubs?

Yes. The school runs a Breakfast Club from 8am, with breakfast included, priced at £3 per day. A wide range of after-school clubs is updated each term and includes football, taekwondo, gymnastics, cheerleading, ballet, choir, guitar, coding and Rocksteady band lessons. Clubs are bookable through ClassForKids and typically run during term-time only.

What support is available for children with special educational needs?

Cardwell has a dedicated SENCO, Mrs Karen Dolan, who coordinates support for pupils with SEN. She works closely with class teachers, teaching assistants, an educational psychologist and speech and language therapists. The school supports a range of learning differences and takes an inclusive approach. For pupils with EHCPs, the Royal Borough of Greenwich SEN team consults the school before a place is offered, and transition meetings are arranged to ensure continuity. Parents can contact Mrs Dolan through the school office for more information.

How competitive is admission to Cardwell Primary School?

Very competitive. In recent rounds, 158 applications were received for 60 Reception places—a subscription ratio of 2.63. The furthest successful applicant lived 3.4 miles from the school. Families should rank Cardwell highly, understand Greenwich's oversubscription criteria (which typically prioritise looked-after children, those with EHCPs, siblings and proximity) and apply for alternative schools to ensure a place within reasonable distance.