Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Academic Excellence in South East London

Where Sisters of the Assumption once ran a spiritual community at Highcombe House over a century ago, a school now stands that has earned a reputation for sustained academic excellence. Established in 1928, Our Lady of Grace continues the educational mission begun by this Catholic religious order. The school ranks in the top 4% of primaries in England (FindMySchool ranking), with 90% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics; well above the England average of 62%. Across 420 pupils arranged in two forms of entry, the school serves the parish of Charlton and surrounding areas as a voluntary aided Catholic primary. The 2023 Ofsted inspection rated the school Outstanding, confirming a pattern of consistent achievement that extends back over a decade.

The Victorian campus at Highcombe sits on the grounds of a Grade II listed property, where Belgian architect Eugène Gervais designed a chapel in neo-Romanesque style in 1905. While the main school building is more modern, the sense of continuity with that heritage permeates the community. Pupils wear uniform and move purposefully between lessons. Staff greet children by name. The atmosphere is calm, ordered, and genuinely welcoming.

Mr Sean Small leads the school as headteacher, maintaining the vision established by his predecessors. The school's mission is explicit: not simply to provide outstanding academic education, but to develop in pupils an understanding of spiritual and moral values within a caring Christian community. This is not incidental to the school's purpose but central to it.

The Catholic character is visible throughout. Morning prayers begin the day. The school works closely with the parish church. Religious education is woven into the curriculum. Yet the school also serves families from diverse faith backgrounds, and the admissions policy acknowledges this openness whilst maintaining Catholic priorities for oversubscribed admissions.

KS2 Performance (2024)

90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, significantly above the England average of 62%. This consistent strength reflects careful teaching and systematic curriculum design. Reading scaled scores averaged 110 (England average 100), indicating pupils develop strong comprehension and decoding skills. Mathematics scaled scores reached 108 (England average 101), with 88% meeting expected standards in this subject alone. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results were particularly notable, with 90% meeting expected standards and a scaled score of 111.

The percentage achieving the higher standard (grades above expected) was equally impressive. 49% of pupils achieved high scores in reading, mathematics and GPS combined, compared to just 8% nationally. This breadth of high achievement — not concentrated in a single year group or ability band — indicates the school's teaching reaches across the full cohort.

Local Context

Within Greenwich, the school ranks 4th among primaries, placing it among the highest-performing in the borough. Nationally, the 629th ranking places it in the top 4% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). This elite tier reflects year-on-year consistency. The Ofsted report (2023) specifically noted that pupils make outstanding progress in a full range of subjects, with high-quality work evident across the curriculum.

The curriculum follows the national framework but with notable enrichment. Reading is positioned as a priority, with systematic phonics teaching from EYFS onwards and structured reading opportunities throughout the school. Teachers use subject-specific vocabulary deliberately, teaching pupils the language of each discipline. Lessons are sequenced to build knowledge progressively, with pupils given frequent opportunities to revisit and consolidate learning.

Art and music are taught as discrete subjects, not squeezed into cross-curricular delivery. Drama, dance and design technology are integrated thoughtfully into broader units. Mathematics teaching uses varied representations and focuses on deep understanding rather than procedural fluency alone, though the Ofsted inspection noted that occasionally some teachers could extend reasoning opportunities further.

Staff possess strong subject knowledge and understand their pupils' needs in detail. Teaching is ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND. The school has achieved the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting commitment to providing effective support for learners who need additional help.

Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant alongside the class teacher, providing close attention to individual needs. The SENCO works four days per week and coordinates support for approximately 45 pupils on the SEN register. A trained counsellor visits weekly for children needing additional emotional support.

Behaviour is exemplary. The Ofsted inspection specifically highlighted that pupils' behaviour, both in and out of the classroom, is exemplary. Working relationships between staff and pupils are built on mutual respect. Pupils describe a caring, welcoming community where diversity is genuinely celebrated. As one pupil quoted in external reviews stated: "No matter how different we are, we are all just one big family and treat each other with respect and kindness."

Sports provision is extensive. The school offers PE and up to 10 seasonal sports, with representative teams in major sports from Year 3 onwards. This structure means children experience competitive sport from an early age while maintaining a broad programme of physical activity for all pupils. Older pupils are given opportunities to experience what secondary school sport will look like, preparing them well for the transition.

Music forms a significant part of school life. A dedicated choir performs in school events and beyond. Whole-school singing is a feature of assembly and liturgical celebrations. Piano and violin lessons are offered, with pupils entering for examinations. The school employs a specialist music teacher who ensures curriculum music reaches all pupils, not just those receiving instrumental tuition.

Drama and creative arts are woven throughout the year. The school produces regular performances, including annual Christmas productions that involve significant numbers of pupils across multiple year groups. One recent highlight was pupils performing guitar pieces for residents at Westcombe Park Care Home, demonstrating how the school sees performance as an opportunity for service as well as self-expression.

Beyond the traditional curriculum, the school supports spiritual development through structured programmes. Mini Vinnies (the children's branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society) engage pupils in charity work and community service. A School Council gives pupils a formal voice in school decisions and organises community initiatives, such as a recent road safety poster competition. The Wrappers Club provides wraparound care from 7:30am to 6:00pm, operated by an external contractor, ensuring families can balance work and school life.

The programme for enrichment is genuinely inclusive. The Ofsted report noted that disadvantaged pupils attend regularly and participate fully in the wide range of clubs and activities on offer beyond the school day. This reflects deliberate commitment to access, not just availability.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions data, 152 applications were received for 60 Reception places — a ratio of 2.53:1. This demand reflects the school's reputation and its location in a densely populated area of South East London.

As a voluntary aided Catholic school, the admissions policy prioritises Catholic applicants in line with the Diocese of Southwark guidance. Priority is given, in order: to looked-after Catholic children, baptised Catholic children from practising Catholic families (evidenced by a Certificate of Catholic Practice), baptised Catholic children, children of other Christian faiths, and then children of other faiths. When oversubscribed within each category, siblings, frequency of Mass attendance, exceptional pastoral need and distance are considered.

The school conducts open mornings typically in October and November each year. The headteacher and deputy head are available to discuss admission. Families should contact Greenwich Primary Admissions for application procedures.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am and after-school care until 6:00pm, with holiday provision during main school holidays.

The location in Charlton provides good transport links. The nearest DLR station is at Charlton (approximately 0.4 miles away). Local bus routes serve the area. Parking is available on-site, though drop-off and pick-up times can be busy in this residential neighbourhood.

The school website at www.ourladyofgracecatholicprimaryschool.co.uk provides detailed information about curriculum, policies, term dates and school news. Parents can contact the school office on 020 8858 2262 or at sao@ourladyofgraceschool.co.uk.

Catholic character is genuine and intentional. The school's Catholic identity is not decorative. Daily prayer, weekly Mass attendance, religious education that explicitly teaches Catholic theology, and the integration of faith values throughout the curriculum are all fundamental to school life. Families uncomfortable with explicit religious teaching, regular attendance at Mass, or Catholic values should carefully consider whether this school aligns with their beliefs and preferences.

Very high admission standards create gatekeeping. With nearly 2.5 applications for every place, families need to be realistic about admission chances unless they meet high Catholic practice criteria or live very close to the school. The oversubscription reflects genuine demand, not inflated capacity.

Progress in mathematics reasoning has room to develop. While mathematics results are strong, the Ofsted inspection identified that occasionally teachers could extend pupils' reasoning skills further, particularly helping pupils apply conceptual understanding to new problems. This is a minor observation in an otherwise secure picture, but it suggests the school itself recognises opportunity for deepening challenge in this area.

Outstanding academic results combined with genuine Catholic community and consistent Ofsted recognition make this one of South East London's strongest primary schools. The systematic teaching, strong staff expertise, commitment to inclusion and broad enrichment programme create an environment where most pupils thrive. Best suited to Catholic families, or families comfortable with Catholic education, who seek rigorous academics within a faith-centred community. The main barrier is admission itself; once secured, the educational experience is exceptional.