Christ Church Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Faith-centred community school in historic Greenwich

Christ Church Church of England Primary School sits in the heart of East Greenwich, a one-form entry Church of England primary serving children aged 4 to 11. The school is part of the Koinonia Federation alongside St Mary Magdalene C of E School, sharing Executive Co-Headteachers Claire Harrison and Victoria Wainwright. With around 164 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school prides itself on knowing each child individually and working in partnership with families. Christ Church achieved an 'Excellent' grade in its 2019 SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection and is rated 'Good' by Ofsted following its most recent inspection in November 2021. The school's Christian ethos is woven through everything it does, guided by Federation core values of faith, family, and fellowship. Admissions are highly competitive, with the school oversubscribed at 2.81 applications per place and the last distance offered at 0.67 miles.

Christ Church Church of England Primary School exists to nurture happy, courageous, resilient pupils with a life-long love of learning. The school's vision centres on its Christian foundation, celebrating and promoting its Church of England character across all aspects of school life. Pupils are encouraged to develop not just academically, but spiritually and morally, with strong support from Christ Church in East Greenwich. Reverend Margaret Cave and School Chaplain Reverend Dominic Hubbuck offer pastoral support to children, staff, and families, reinforcing the school's commitment to community and belonging.

As part of the Koinonia Federation, Christ Church benefits from shared expertise and collaboration across three campuses in Greenwich. The Federation strives for excellence through its three pillars: faith, family, and fellowship. This collaborative structure enables the school to deliver high-quality education while maintaining its intimate, one-form entry character where every child is known and valued.

The school's curriculum is designed to be inspiring and creative, meeting both academic and spiritual needs. Staff work deliberately to break down barriers to learning, ensuring equal opportunities for all pupils to flourish. The atmosphere is one of warmth and welcome, where children express joy and enthusiasm about their school experiences, as noted by Ofsted inspectors during their 2021 visit.

Christ Church delivers academic outcomes in line with national standards, with particular strength in science. In most recent results, 72% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. This places the school above average nationally and demonstrates effective teaching across core subjects. In science, 90% of pupils achieved the expected standard, well above the national figure of 82%.

Attainment in individual subjects shows solid performance. In reading, 72% of pupils met the expected standard with an average scaled score of 105. In mathematics, 72% reached the expected standard, also achieving a scaled score of 105. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, the school performed particularly strongly with 72% meeting the expected standard and a scaled score of 108. These scores are above the national average of 100 and indicate effective literacy and numeracy teaching.

Higher attainment results show room for growth. Across reading, writing, and mathematics, 18% of pupils achieved the higher standard, more than double the national average of 8%. In reading specifically, 28% achieved the higher score, while in mathematics it was 17%. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 38% reached the higher standard. Only 10% of pupils achieved greater depth in writing, suggesting this is an area where additional stretch could benefit more able pupils.

The school ranks 5,411th nationally out of approximately 15,000 primary schools, placing it in the middle band of national performance. Within Greenwich, Christ Church ranks 42nd among local primaries. While not among the highest-performing schools in the borough, the school delivers consistent, above-average outcomes for its community.

The small class sizes and strong pupil-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 enable staff to know pupils well and provide tailored support. The school's commitment to breaking down barriers to learning ensures that children facing challenges receive appropriate intervention and encouragement to build resilience.

Christ Church offers a rich extracurricular programme designed to cultivate well-rounded, confident children. After-school clubs include guitar lessons, basketball, and more than five different creative and performing arts clubs, ensuring varied options for different interests. Art and music are taught as discrete subjects to all pupils, while design technology, drama, and dance are woven into the broader curriculum. The school maintains a choir for pupils who enjoy singing.

Educational trips enhance classroom learning, with outings to landmarks such as the Tower of London bringing history to life. Outdoor learning is a key feature of the Christ Church experience. The school benefits from extensive outdoor space, including a community garden and forest school area that provide hands-on learning opportunities. Younger pupils enjoy woodland sessions, while older children engage in creative projects like painting in the community garden. The garden also houses bees, giving pupils responsibilities in caring for them and fostering connections with local residents.

Wraparound care extends from 7.30am to 6.15pm, provided by an external contractor, supporting working families with flexible childcare options.

The school's location in East Greenwich places it in a rapidly growing area with strong community links. The one-form entry structure creates a family atmosphere where children feel known and supported, and parents appreciate the close partnership approach.

Christ Church Church of England Primary School is a highly sought-after school in Greenwich, with admissions managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The school is oversubscribed, receiving 76 applications for just 27 Reception places in the most recent admissions round, a subscription rate of 2.81 applications per place. All families who listed Christ Church as their first preference and received an offer did so, reflecting a well-matched admissions process.

The furthest distance offered in the most recent admissions round was 0.67 miles from the school. Given the competitive nature of admissions, families living within half a mile of the school in East Greenwich are most likely to secure a place, although this distance can vary year to year depending on the number of sibling and faith-based applicants.

As a Church of England voluntary aided school, Christ Church's admissions policy typically prioritises children with connections to the church, siblings of current pupils, and those living closest to the school. Families considering an application should consult the school's admissions policy and supplementary information form, available on the Koinonia Federation website. The window for September 2026 admissions opens on 1 September 2025, and applications must be submitted through the Royal Borough of Greenwich Schools Admissions portal.

Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school, meet the leadership team, and experience the faith-centred, family atmosphere that defines Christ Church. Given the limited number of places in this one-form entry school, early engagement and careful consideration of admissions criteria are essential.

Christ Church Church of England Primary School is a warm, faith-centred community school that delivers solid academic outcomes alongside strong pastoral care. Its small size and 12:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio create an intimate environment where every child is known and supported. The school's above-average results in reading, writing, mathematics and particularly science demonstrate effective teaching, though there is scope to further challenge more able pupils toward higher attainment.

The Christian ethos is not window dressing but genuinely shapes the school's culture, values, and daily life. Families seeking a Church of England education with close links to the local church will find Christ Church offers authentic faith integration. The excellent SIAMS rating and Good Ofsted judgement reflect a school that knows its identity and delivers on its promises.

Membership in the Koinonia Federation brings additional strengths, enabling Christ Church to access shared expertise and resources while maintaining its distinct character. The Executive Co-Headteacher model provides stability and vision across the Federation, and pupils benefit from the collaborative professional culture this fosters.

The community garden, forest school area, and varied extracurricular clubs enrich the educational experience beyond the classroom. The school's commitment to outdoor learning and creative curriculum design ensures children develop curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning that extends beyond test results.

Admissions competition is significant, with nearly three applicants for every place. Families living within walking distance and those with church connections stand the best chance, though the catchment can vary. For those who secure a place, Christ Church offers a nurturing, values-driven education in the heart of a vibrant Greenwich community.

This is a school for families who value faith, close relationships, and a community-minded approach to education. It may not top league tables, but it provides a stable, caring environment where children can grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Is Christ Church Church of England Primary School a good school?

Yes, Christ Church is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2021) and achieved an Excellent grade in its 2019 SIAMS inspection. The school delivers above-average academic results, with 72% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. The school's Christian ethos, small class sizes, and strong pastoral care create a supportive environment where children thrive both academically and personally.

How do I apply to Christ Church Church of England Primary School?

Applications for Reception places must be submitted through the Royal Borough of Greenwich Schools Admissions portal. The admissions window for September 2026 entry opens on 1 September 2025. As a Church of England voluntary aided school, Christ Church uses its own admissions criteria, typically prioritising children with church connections, siblings of current pupils, and those living closest to the school. Families should review the school's admissions policy and supplementary information form on the Koinonia Federation website before applying.

What is the catchment area for Christ Church Church of England Primary School?

In the most recent admissions round, the furthest distance offered was 0.67 miles from the school. The catchment area can vary year to year depending on the number of applications, sibling priority, and faith-based applicants. Families living within half a mile of the school in East Greenwich have the strongest chance of securing a place, though proximity alone does not guarantee admission given the school's voluntary aided status and faith-based admissions criteria.

What are the school's core values?

Christ Church operates according to the Koinonia Federation's three core values: faith, family, and fellowship. The school's Christian ethos shapes all aspects of school life, from curriculum design to pastoral care. The aim is to develop happy, courageous, resilient pupils with a life-long love of learning who are fully equipped to make a positive contribution to society.

What extracurricular activities does the school offer?

Christ Church provides a varied extracurricular programme including guitar lessons, basketball, choir, and more than five creative and performing arts clubs. The school also offers outdoor learning through its community garden and forest school area, educational trips such as visits to the Tower of London, and discrete teaching in art and music. Wraparound care is available from 7.30am to 6.15pm through an external provider.

What is the Koinonia Federation?

The Koinonia Federation comprises two schools across three campuses in Greenwich: Christ Church C of E Primary in East Greenwich, St Mary Magdalene C of E Primary in Woolwich, and St Mary Magdalene C of E All Through School on the Greenwich Peninsula. Executive Co-Headteachers Claire Harrison and Victoria Wainwright lead the Federation, enabling the schools to share expertise and resources while maintaining their individual identities and serving their distinct communities.