Greenslade Primary School Review 2026: Inclusive Community Primary on Plumstead Common

Greenslade Primary School brings together three defining values—Respect, Inspire, Achieve—to shape an inclusive inner-city community on Plumstead Common. Led by headteacher David Ashley for over 26 years, this one-form-entry state primary educates 210 pupils aged 4–11 in the London Borough of Greenwich. The school has earned a Good rating from Ofsted in its most recent inspection in April 2024, building on a sustained record of effective teaching and strong relationships. Most recent performance data shows 81% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the 62% national average. Greenslade serves a diverse, mixed socio-economic neighbourhood and places significant emphasis on cultural capital through visits to the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, and museums across London. Admissions are highly competitive, with the school receiving 120 applications for 30 Reception places and a last-distance-offered figure of just 0.179 miles.

Greenslade Primary School describes itself as "a successful, friendly and vibrant inner-city school" where children aspire to be the very best they can be. The school's motto, "Working together to celebrate each other's similarities and differences," reflects a commitment to inclusivity that permeates every aspect of school life. Parents value the community feel and frequently describe staff who go "above and beyond" to support families.

David Ashley has led the school as headteacher for over 26 years, providing exceptional continuity and stability. He speaks of being "constantly inspired by the exciting, vibrant and inclusive atmosphere" and leads a team of professionals committed to shared values and a vision for learning. The long tenure has allowed the school to develop deep roots in the local community and maintain consistent standards through changing educational landscapes.

The school philosophy centres on valuing each community member's unique qualities while fostering compassion and care. Pupils are taught to show respect for everybody, including themselves, and to take pride in both individual and collective achievements. Children feel safe and happy, and appreciate that adults take time to listen and help when necessary. Behaviour standards are strong, and pupils demonstrate high engagement with learning, arriving at school motivated and enthusiastic.

Greenslade operates as a warm, welcoming environment where relationships are regarded as a core strength. The inclusive ethos extends beyond tolerance to active celebration of diversity, preparing children to participate successfully in a multicultural society.

Greenslade Primary School achieves results that place it comfortably above national benchmarks, ranking 3,946th in England among primary schools. Within Greenwich, the school ranks 30th out of the borough's primary institutions. The latest Key Stage 2 data shows 81% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, significantly ahead of the 62% national average. Science performance matches the national average at 82%.

Breaking down the individual subjects, reading shows particular strength with an average scaled score of 106 and 82% of pupils reaching the expected standard. In maths, 79% met expectations with an average scaled score of 106, while 39% achieved the high score threshold. Grammar, punctuation and spelling proved the strongest area, with a scaled score of 108, 82% at the expected standard, and an impressive 43% achieving high scores. Writing saw 25% of pupils working at greater depth, matching the high score rate in reading.

Higher attainment is notably strong across the board: 30% of pupils achieved the high standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to just 8% nationally. Nearly 36% reached high scores in reading, maths and grammar combined, demonstrating solid performance among the more able cohort.

The curriculum is designed to inspire children and build cultural capital, moving beyond traditional subject silos to create "learning experiences of the highest quality." The school uses Charanga schemes for music, supplemented by Year 4 recorder lessons, choir, and guitar clubs. Pupils visit the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, embedding appreciation for the arts from an early age. For visual arts, Greenslade employs the AccessArt schemes of work, and the curriculum encompasses regular visits to galleries and museums throughout London.

The school employs a dedicated SENCO, Helen Forbes-Green, to coordinate support for pupils with special educational needs. Class sizes reflect the one-form-entry structure, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 22:1. Teachers are described as aspiring and passionate professionals committed to ensuring every child succeeds and meets their full potential.

Greenslade Primary School occupies a site on Plumstead Common in the London Borough of Greenwich, serving a diverse inner-city community. The school provides breakfast and after-school care through its JAG programme, offering children a fun, safe environment to play freely across age groups and take part in structured activities including arts, crafts and active play. A healthy snack is provided, and children can choose between group activities or quieter time with toys and games.

Extracurricular provision is expanding, with recent offerings including art, drama, football, gymnastics, music, gardening, homework clubs and booster classes. The school runs well-planned enrichment activities including music groups and trips that broaden pupils' horizons beyond the local area. Sports and physical education form a visible part of the timetable, and the school ensures pupils benefit from active outdoor play.

The school operates a nursery class, adding to the sense of continuity for families in the neighbourhood. Term dates and event calendars are published in advance, and the school maintains active communication with parents through its website and regular updates.

Greenslade Primary School is heavily oversubscribed, with 120 applications received for just 30 Reception places in the latest admissions round, representing a subscription ratio of 4:1. All successful applicants who named Greenslade as their first preference received an offer, but the very tight catchment means many families miss out. The last distance offered was 0.179 miles—approximately 290 metres—making Greenslade one of the most geographically constrained primaries in Greenwich.

Admissions are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. For Reception entry, applications typically open in September and close in mid-January, with National Offer Day falling in mid-April. Parents should consult the Greenwich admissions pages for the most current information and deadlines, as specific dates vary annually.

The school's popularity stems from its passionately inclusive approach, strong academic results, and the visible determination that every child succeeds. David Ashley notes that "places at our school are always in high demand," a reality confirmed by the admissions data. Families considering Greenslade should be aware that proximity is decisive: those living beyond a few hundred metres have little realistic prospect of securing a place.

The school serves a mixed socio-economic population on and around Plumstead Common. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school during open events to experience the welcoming, warm atmosphere firsthand and to gauge whether the school's ethos aligns with their own values.

Greenslade Primary School delivers what many parents seek: strong academic results, a genuinely inclusive community, and exceptional leadership stability. With 81% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths—well above the national 62%—and 30% achieving the higher standard compared to 8% nationally, the school proves that high expectations and effective teaching produce measurable outcomes.

David Ashley's 26-year tenure as headteacher brings continuity that is rare in modern primary education, and the culture he has shaped is one of care, respect and aspiration. Parents consistently praise staff who go "above and beyond," and children feel safe, happy and valued. The commitment to cultural capital—regular visits to world-class orchestras, galleries and museums—enriches the curriculum in ways that extend well beyond test scores.

The challenge is access. With a last-distance-offered figure of just 0.179 miles, only families living within a few hundred metres of the school gate have a realistic chance of admission. The 4:1 oversubscription ratio reflects both the school's strengths and the limited supply of high-performing community primaries in the Plumstead Common area. For those who live close enough, Greenslade offers a compelling blend of academic rigour, inclusive values, and a genuinely warm school community. For those further afield, the catchment reality is likely to disappoint, however strong the school's reputation.

If proximity is on your side, Greenslade Primary School represents an excellent choice: a Good school with Outstanding ambitions, rooted in its local community and led by experienced professionals who know every child by name.

Is Greenslade Primary School a good school?

Yes. Greenslade Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted as of its April 2024 inspection. The school achieves results well above national averages, with 81% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared to 62% nationally. Parents value the community feel, and children feel safe and happy. David Ashley's 26-year tenure as headteacher provides exceptional stability and continuity.

How do I apply to Greenslade Primary School?

Admissions are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. For Reception entry, applications typically open in September and close in mid-January, with offers made in mid-April. Visit the Royal Borough of Greenwich school admissions pages at royalgreenwich.gov.uk to apply online and for current deadlines. Be aware that the school is heavily oversubscribed, with a last distance offered of just 0.179 miles.

What are the school's core values?

Greenslade Primary School is built on three core values: Respect, Inspire and Achieve. The school motto is "Working together to celebrate each other's similarities and differences," reflecting a commitment to inclusivity, compassion and community.

What extracurricular activities does Greenslade offer?

Greenslade offers a range of after-school clubs including art, drama, football, gymnastics, music, gardening, homework clubs and booster classes. Music provision includes choir, guitar lessons and Year 4 recorder tuition, with trips to the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican. The school also provides breakfast and after-school care through its JAG programme.

How competitive is admission to Greenslade Primary School?

Greenslade is very competitive. The school received 120 applications for 30 Reception places, a subscription ratio of 4:1. The last distance offered was 0.179 miles (approximately 290 metres), making it one of the most geographically constrained primaries in Greenwich. Only families living very close to the school have a realistic chance of securing a place.

Who is the headteacher and how long have they been at the school?

Mr David Ashley is the headteacher and has led Greenslade Primary School for over 26 years. He also serves as the school's Safeguarding Officer. His long tenure has provided exceptional continuity and stability, allowing the school to develop deep roots in the local community.