St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Greenwich Review 2026: Faith-Based Community School in East Greenwich

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a one-form entry voluntary aided Catholic primary school serving children aged 4 to 11 in the heart of East Greenwich, London. Founded on the principles of Aspiration, Compassion, Community, Responsibility, Respect, and Faith, the school describes itself as an inclusive institution with a developmental curriculum that celebrates the social and cultural diversity of its local population. With a capacity of 210 pupils and a current roll of around 140, St Joseph's combines a Christ-centred ethos with a drive for academic achievement, helping children deepen their faith while building resilience and self-confidence. The school achieved a Good rating across all categories in its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2023, and offers a range of extracurricular activities including art, film, and football clubs alongside peripatetic music lessons.

St Joseph's operates with a clear Catholic identity, rooted in the Archdiocese of Southwark, and welcomes all children regardless of background. The school's mission is explicitly Christ-centred, aiming to help pupils learn and grow academically and socially while deepening their faith and growing in the love of God. This dual focus on spiritual and academic development permeates the school's approach, creating an environment where children are encouraged to achieve their full potential across the spectrum of experiences on offer.

The six core values—Aspiration, Compassion, Community, Responsibility, Respect, and Faith—are embedded throughout the curriculum and daily life. The school's commitment to diversity is particularly notable: while maintaining its Catholic character, St Joseph's explicitly celebrates the social and cultural richness of its local community, reflecting the varied population of Greenwich. Parents and inspectors alike comment on the positive Christian atmosphere, which balances high expectations with pastoral warmth.

Mrs Suzanne Long has served as Headteacher since September 2022, providing stable leadership following her predecessor Lisa Lazell. The school benefits from a dedicated staff of 10.8 full-time equivalent teachers and 11.05 teaching assistants, alongside 15.83 non-teaching staff, maintaining a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 13–14:1. Staff members receive ongoing professional development and collaborate with other schools to share best practice, ensuring that teaching remains responsive and adaptive, particularly for pupils with SEND who experience the same curriculum as their peers.

St Joseph's academic performance presents a mixed picture. In the most recent available data, 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined at Key Stage 2, above the national average of 62%. The school also reported strong performance in science, with 83% of pupils reaching the expected standard, just above the national average of 82%. In individual subjects, maths was a particular strength with 75% reaching the expected standard and 38% achieving high scores, compared to national figures where high attainment in reading, writing, and maths combined averages 8%.

However, writing remains an area for development, with only 4% of pupils achieving greater depth in writing, significantly below what might be expected. Reading performance shows 67% reaching the expected standard and 25% achieving high scores, while grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS) shows strong higher-level attainment with 42% achieving high scores. The school's average scaled scores—103 in reading, 105 in maths, and 104 in GPS—all sit above the national standard of 100, indicating solid foundational teaching.

Nationally, St Joseph's is ranked 9,266th among primary schools, placing it in the lower half of performance tables. Within Greenwich, the school is ranked 53rd locally. These rankings reflect the school's position as a mainstream provider delivering results broadly in line with or slightly above national averages, rather than elite-level outcomes. The school's Ofsted Good rating acknowledges effective teaching and learning, with inspectors noting that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all meet Good standards. Early years provision is also rated Good, providing a solid foundation for children entering Reception.

St Joseph's has a clear commitment to SEND provision, with staff trained to adapt teaching so pupils with special educational needs experience the same curriculum as their peers. The school's developmental curriculum approach suggests a focus on individual progress and growth mindsets, allowing children to build resilience and work towards their potential. Remote learning platforms are in place, ensuring continuity of education when needed.

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities designed to enrich children's experiences beyond the classroom. Art, film, and football clubs are available, alongside peripatetic music lessons for those interested in learning instruments. Educational visits and residential trips broaden pupils' horizons and create opportunities for hands-on learning and team-building.

St Joseph's runs a breakfast club, which families can access by contacting the school directly for details. This provision supports working parents and ensures children start the day in a calm, nourishing environment. The school's relatively small size—operating below capacity at around 140 pupils—creates a close-knit community atmosphere where children are known as individuals and where relationships between staff, pupils, and families are valued.

Located on Commerell Street in East Greenwich, the school serves a diverse neighbourhood and reflects the cultural richness of the local area. The school's inclusive approach ensures that all children, regardless of background, are welcomed and supported to thrive within its faith-based framework.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a voluntary aided school, meaning admissions are managed by the school's governing body in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 46 applications for just 17 Reception places in the most recent admissions round, representing a subscription ratio of 2.71. Every family who named St Joseph's as their first preference and received an offer did so, indicating that the school prioritises first-choice applicants but cannot meet all demand.

As a Catholic school, the admissions policy typically gives priority to Catholic children, with criteria including baptism, religious practice, and siblings already attending the school. Distances are measured using the local authority's computerised system, with tie-breakers involving proximity to the school. For applicants residing in flats sharing the same street entrance, priority is given to those closest to the ground floor. Where distances are equal, random allocation is used to differentiate between applicants.

Families applying for a Reception place for September entry should follow the Royal Borough of Greenwich's coordinated admissions process, with National Offer Day usually falling in mid-April. In-year admissions are also accepted on a rolling basis, with outcomes communicated by the local authority on behalf of the school. Parents are strongly advised to check the school's published admissions policy for the relevant year, as criteria and distances can vary annually depending on the number and nature of applications.

Given the level of oversubscription and the school's Catholic admissions criteria, families should carefully review whether their child meets the priority categories before applying. Living near the school or in an area where children have previously gained admission does not guarantee a place in future years. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend open days, request a prospectus, and contact the school directly at 020 8858 4182 or via support@stjosephs.greenwich.sch.uk to understand the likelihood of securing a place.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Greenwich, offers families a faith-based education rooted in Catholic values and a commitment to celebrating diversity within its community. The school's inclusive approach, combined with a Christ-centred ethos, creates an environment where children are nurtured spiritually, socially, and academically. For Catholic families in East Greenwich seeking a school that balances religious identity with a welcoming, multicultural atmosphere, St Joseph's provides a supportive setting with stable leadership and a dedicated staff team.

Academically, the school delivers results above national averages in key areas, particularly in maths and science, though writing development remains an area for growth. The school's performance places it in the middle tier nationally, and it serves its community well as a mainstream provider focused on helping every child achieve their potential through a developmental curriculum and growth mindset approach. Families should have realistic expectations: this is not a selective or high-performing academic powerhouse, but a Good school committed to incremental progress and individual development.

The significant oversubscription—nearly three applicants for every place—reflects the school's appeal to local Catholic families, but also means that securing a place requires careful attention to admissions criteria. The small size and close-knit community can be a draw for families seeking a more intimate school environment, though it also means fewer places overall and potentially limited facilities compared to larger primaries.

For families who meet the admissions criteria and value a school where faith, community, and aspiration are intertwined, St Joseph's represents a solid choice. Prospective parents should visit, engage with the school's values, and assess whether the balance of spiritual and academic focus aligns with their expectations for their child's primary education.

Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Greenwich a good school?

Yes, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted as of its most recent inspection in April 2023, with Good grades across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school achieves results above national averages in reading, writing, and maths combined, with particular strengths in maths and science.

How do I apply to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Greenwich?

Applications for Reception places are made through the Royal Borough of Greenwich's coordinated admissions process, typically with a closing date in mid-January and offers made on National Offer Day in mid-April. The school is a voluntary aided Catholic school, so admissions are managed by the governing body using faith-based criteria. In-year applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Families should contact the school at 020 8858 4182 or visit the Royal Borough of Greenwich admissions website for the current admissions policy and process.

What are the admissions criteria for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School?

As a Catholic voluntary aided school, St Joseph's prioritises Catholic children, with criteria typically including baptism, evidence of religious practice, and siblings currently attending the school. Distance from the school is also a factor, measured using the local authority's system. The school is significantly oversubscribed, so meeting the admissions criteria does not guarantee a place. Families should review the published admissions policy for the specific year of application.

What are the Key Stage 2 results like at St Joseph's?

In the most recent available data, 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. Science performance was strong at 83% reaching the expected standard. Maths showed particular strength with 75% at expected and 38% at high scores. Writing development is an area for improvement, with only 4% achieving greater depth. The school's average scaled scores are all above 100 in reading, maths, and GPS.

What extracurricular activities does St Joseph's offer?

St Joseph's offers a range of extracurricular clubs including art, film, and football, alongside peripatetic music lessons for pupils interested in learning instruments. The school also organises educational visits and residential trips to enrich the curriculum and provide hands-on learning experiences.

What is the school's approach to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)?

St Joseph's provides SEND support with staff trained to adapt their teaching so that pupils with special educational needs can access the same curriculum as their peers. The school operates a developmental curriculum approach, focusing on individual progress and building resilience. Specific SEND provision details are available on the school's website, and families are encouraged to contact the school directly to discuss their child's needs.

What is the religious character of the school?

St Joseph's is a Catholic primary school within the Archdiocese of Southwark. The school's ethos is Christ-centred, aiming to help children deepen their faith and grow in the love of God. However, the school also describes itself as inclusive and celebrates the social and cultural diversity of its local population, welcoming all children while maintaining its Catholic identity.

How large is the school?

St Joseph's has a capacity of 210 pupils but currently operates with around 140 children on roll, making it a relatively small, one-form entry primary school. The pupil-to-teacher ratio is approximately 13–14:1, allowing for a close-knit community atmosphere where children are known as individuals.