Fossdene Primary School Review 2026: Gold-Standard Rights and Arts in Charlton

Fossdene Primary School stands out as a two-form entry state primary in Charlton that holds both Gold Rights Respecting School accreditation and an ArtsMark Gold Award, reflecting its commitment to child-centred education and creative enrichment. Situated at Victoria Way, this mixed community school serves 270 pupils aged 4–11 with a school capacity of 420. Led by Executive Headteacher Maria Hill and Head of School Sarah Jowett, Fossdene operates under the motto "Expect Believe Achieve" and emphasises a dyslexia-friendly learning environment. Ofsted rated the school Good across all categories in July 2022, and the school sits within the national typical performance range for primary outcomes. With a strong focus on children's rights, outdoor learning through its forest school programme, and growing arts provision, Fossdene serves families in the Royal Borough of Greenwich looking for a values-driven, inclusive primary education.

Fossdene describes itself as "a happy community of pupils, parents and staff" where children's rights form the foundation of school life. This commitment earned the school Gold Rights Respecting School status from UNICEF UK, embedding principles of dignity, respect and equality across the curriculum and daily routines. The school's vision centres on raising standards through quality-first teaching within a dyslexia-friendly environment, aiming to prepare children for the future while enriching their understanding of the world and local community.

The school's culturally diverse community informs a broad, balanced curriculum designed to extend and enrich each child's experience. Pupil voice is actively encouraged through structures such as the School Council, Eco Council and Junior Travel Ambassadors programme. The emphasis on agency is particularly visible in the arts, where assessors for the ArtsMark Gold Award commended the school's success in positioning creative subjects as "a route to personal enrichment, play, and learning through a sense of fun and curiosity."

Fossdene is working towards becoming an active school, incorporating regular physical brain breaks throughout the day and embedding movement across the curriculum. The school also offers wraparound care, including a breakfast club and after-school play club, supporting working families with extended hours provision.

Fossdene performs solidly in line with national averages for primary attainment, ranking 3,861st nationally and 29th within Greenwich. At Key Stage 2, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the national average of 62%. The proportion achieving greater depth across these core subjects was 36%, significantly higher than the national figure of 8%, indicating strong provision for higher-attaining learners.

In individual subjects, 84% of pupils met expectations in mathematics with an average scaled score of 107, while 82% reached the expected standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling with the same average scaled score. Reading results were slightly lower, with 76% meeting expectations and an average scaled score of 106. Science outcomes matched the national average, with 82% of pupils reaching the expected standard.

The curriculum follows national requirements while aiming for breadth and balance. Subjects are taught with attention to differentiation and enrichment, and the school uses the Real PE scheme to deliver two hours of physical education weekly, focusing on agility, balance, coordination, competition and teamwork across six developmental cogs: physical, creativity, cognitive, social, personal, and health and fitness. In Key Stage 2, traditional sports are introduced alongside Real PE to prepare children for secondary school.

Fossdene maintains a dyslexia-friendly environment and operates an inclusion hub offering specialist support for pupils with special educational needs. The school sets high expectations for SEND pupils, with resources including a sensory room and tailored interventions. The pupil-to-teacher ratio stands at approximately 20:1, allowing for manageable class sizes within a two-form entry structure.

Pupils benefit from a range of clubs covering sport, music, art and craft, and cooking, supported by the school's after-school provision. Participation in the Greenwich School Sporting Partnership provides opportunities to try different sports and compete with other schools. School trips include visits to London landmarks, broadening pupils' horizons beyond the local area.

The school's facilities include a school garden, forest school area, sensory room and virtual library. The forest school programme supports outdoor learning and connection with nature, while the sensory room provides a calming space for pupils who benefit from sensory regulation. The ArtsMark Gold Award, achieved in February 2024 and valid until 2026, recognises strong provision in visual arts and music, with plans to expand drama initiatives and increase arts-focused extracurricular clubs.

Fossdene is pursuing outdoor play improvements through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) initiative, which aligns with its Rights Respecting ethos by creating more exploratory, learner-centred opportunities for play. Arts and music practices are well embedded, delivering what assessors described as "real dividends for young people," particularly through collaborations with local artists.

The school environment reflects its culturally diverse intake, with displays of artwork showing pupils' interpretations in the style of famous artists. Behaviour and attitudes were rated Good by Ofsted in 2022, as was personal development, indicating a positive school culture where pupils feel safe and supported.

Fossdene is oversubscribed, receiving 80 applications for 26 Reception places in the most recent admissions round, representing a subscription ratio of 3.08. All first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, suggesting that families who prioritise Fossdene are generally successful, though demand significantly exceeds supply. The furthest distance offered was 1.543 miles, giving a sense of the practical catchment area, though this varies year to year depending on sibling numbers and the proximity of applicants.

All admissions from Reception to Year 6 are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, not by the school directly. Families should consult the local authority's admissions website for detailed criteria, timelines and application procedures. Fossdene is planning to reduce its Published Admission Number by one form of entry from 2025/26, which will increase competition further.

For families seeking a place, proximity to the school is a key factor, though Greenwich's admissions criteria are often complex and may include sibling priority, looked-after children and other considerations. Parents who are unsuccessful in securing a place have the right to appeal through the process outlined on the Greenwich website.

Fossdene Primary School offers a well-rounded, values-led education rooted in children's rights and creative development. The combination of Gold Rights Respecting School status and ArtsMark Gold Award signals a school that prioritises both social-emotional learning and cultural enrichment alongside strong academic outcomes. Attainment results above national averages in core subjects, particularly at greater depth, demonstrate effective teaching and ambition for all pupils.

The dyslexia-friendly environment and inclusion hub make Fossdene a strong choice for families with children who need targeted support, while the forest school, sensory room and active learning approach provide varied pathways to engagement. Wraparound care and a diverse extracurricular offer add practical value for working parents.

Admissions pressure is notable, with a subscription ratio above 3:1, so families should be realistic about catchment boundaries and ensure Fossdene fits within their local authority choices. For those living within reach, the school delivers a caring, inclusive environment where children's voices are heard and creativity is celebrated. Ofsted's consistent Good ratings across all categories underline stability and competence in leadership and teaching.

Fossdene suits families seeking a community-focused, rights-based primary with a strong pastoral ethos, good academic performance and meaningful investment in the arts and outdoor learning. Its motto "Expect Believe Achieve" reflects an aspirational yet supportive culture, making it a solid choice for primary education in Charlton and the surrounding Greenwich area.

Is Fossdene Primary School a good school?

Yes, Fossdene Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision, following its most recent inspection in July 2022. Academic outcomes are above national averages, with 80% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. The school holds Gold Rights Respecting School status and ArtsMark Gold, reflecting strong provision for social-emotional development and the arts.

How do I apply to Fossdene Primary School?

All admissions to Fossdene Primary School are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, not by the school directly. Parents should apply through the Greenwich local authority admissions system for Reception and in-year applications. The school is oversubscribed, with significantly more applicants than places, so families should check the local authority's published admissions criteria, which typically include factors such as proximity to the school and sibling priority. Specific timelines and application procedures are available on the Royal Borough of Greenwich website.

What are the key strengths of Fossdene Primary School?

Fossdene's key strengths include academic performance above national averages, particularly in greater depth outcomes; Gold Rights Respecting School status reflecting a values-driven ethos; ArtsMark Gold recognition for strong arts and music provision; a dyslexia-friendly environment with an inclusion hub for SEND pupils; outdoor learning through forest school; and wraparound care including breakfast and after-school clubs. The school's diverse, inclusive community and emphasis on pupil voice through councils and ambassadors are also notable strengths.

What is the catchment area for Fossdene Primary School?

Fossdene Primary School is located in Charlton, Greenwich, and serves families primarily within a localised catchment area. In the most recent admissions round, the furthest distance offered was 1.543 miles, though this varies annually depending on the number of applicants, sibling priority cases, and other admissions criteria set by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The school is oversubscribed, so proximity to the school is an important factor in securing a place. Parents should consult the Royal Borough of Greenwich admissions pages for detailed criteria and interactive catchment maps.

Does Fossdene Primary School support children with special educational needs?

Yes, Fossdene Primary School has a clear focus on inclusive education and operates an inclusion hub offering specialist support for pupils with special educational needs. The school maintains a dyslexia-friendly environment across all teaching and learning, and sets high expectations for SEND pupils. Facilities include a sensory room for children who benefit from sensory regulation. The school's Rights Respecting ethos ensures that all children's needs are considered and respected. Parents of children with SEND should contact the school directly to discuss specific provision and how individual needs can be met.

What extracurricular activities does Fossdene Primary School offer?

Fossdene offers a range of extracurricular clubs covering sport, music, art and craft, and cooking, delivered through its after-school provision. The school participates in the Greenwich School Sporting Partnership, giving pupils opportunities to try different sports and compete with other schools. Pupils can also join the Eco Council, School Council and Junior Travel Ambassadors programme. The school organises trips to London landmarks and plans to expand arts-focused clubs following its ArtsMark Gold Award. Forest school sessions and outdoor play initiatives provide further enrichment beyond the standard curriculum.