St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London Review 2026: Outstanding Catholic Education in Plumstead

St Peter's Catholic Primary School stands as a testament to the power of transformation and commitment. This voluntary-aided Catholic primary serves 205 pupils aged 5 to 11 on Crescent Road in Woolwich's Plumstead neighbourhood, and has earned an Outstanding Ofsted rating across all categories in its most recent June 2024 inspection. Its mission to build "a learning community which develops love, concern for each other and forgiveness, by living out the Gospel" underpins everything from morning assembly to the Mathematics Mastery curriculum. With 86% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined in latest results, placing the school well above the national average of 62%, St Peter's has secured its place among the top-performing primaries in Greenwich and ranks 28th locally. Admissions are highly competitive, with nearly four applications for every place, and parents from the Catholic community and beyond seek entry to this small but high-achieving school.

St Peter's Catholic identity is not simply stated but lived. The school's mission centres on Gospel values and fostering love, forgiveness and mutual concern among pupils, staff, parents, governors and the local parish. Faith permeates the curriculum: collective worship is central, the school follows a structured Ten Ten programme for Religious Education and relationships education, and pupils prepare for sacraments in partnership with St Peter's Parish in Woolwich. Inspectors have consistently praised the school's inclusive ethos, which balances its Catholic character with a strong commitment to celebrating diversity and welcoming children of all backgrounds.

Leadership is in the hands of Headteacher Miss Marna Du Bruyn, supported by a committed team of governors including Chair Mr G Franklin and Vice-Chair Mr R Huggett. The school's SENCO, Mrs P Wilkinson, oversees provision for pupils with special educational needs. This leadership team has guided the school through a remarkable improvement journey: from an Inadequate rating in 2008 to Satisfactory in 2009, Good in 2011, Outstanding in 2017, and Outstanding again in 2024. Such sustained progress reflects a culture of high expectations, continuous development and determination to serve every child well.

Pupils benefit from a curriculum designed around Maths Mastery principles and a growth mindset ethos. The school emphasises outdoor learning, including forest school experiences, and has adopted engaging digital tools such as Times Tables Rock Stars and Purple Mash to support teaching. Class sizes average around 30 pupils in Reception, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 22:1, typical for a small urban primary. Pastoral care is strong; the school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and an afterschool club, extending the school day beyond the standard 8:55am–3:15pm schedule for working families.

St Peter's delivers results that place it well above national averages. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 86% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally. The proportion achieving the higher standard in all three subjects was 23%, nearly triple the national average of 8%. Scaled scores in reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) all stood at or above 105, with GPS reaching 110, and 61% of pupils achieved high scores in GPS, a standout figure.

Breaking down these results: in reading, 75% met the expected standard and 36% achieved high scores; in maths, 93% reached the expected standard with 21% scoring highly; in GPS, 93% met expectations with 61% scoring at the high level; and in writing, 11% achieved greater depth. Science performance was also strong, with 86% reaching expected standards. These figures rank St Peter's 3,630th out of approximately 15,000 primary schools nationally (top 24%), and 28th in Greenwich, confirming its status as a high-performing school in a competitive borough.

The school's commitment to a broad curriculum is evident. PE includes up to ten seasonal sports, with representative teams offered from Year 3. Art and music are taught as discrete subjects, while design technology, drama and dance are integrated across other areas. The school maintains two choirs and a band, alongside extracurricular clubs in creative and performing arts. French is taught to all pupils, and the school follows a subject-based curriculum with occasional cross-curricular projects to deepen learning.

St Peter's takes inclusion seriously. The SENCO leads a dedicated team to support pupils with special educational needs, and the school's local offer information is published clearly for families. Inspectors noted the school's commitment to meeting diverse needs while maintaining high expectations for every child, a balance that underpins the Outstanding rating.

Admissions to St Peter's are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and the school is significantly oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions round, 94 families applied for just 24 Reception places, yielding a subscription rate of 3.92. All 24 first-preference applicants who were offered places secured them, indicating strong local demand and a competitive admissions landscape. As a Catholic voluntary-aided school, faith-based criteria will typically take priority in the admissions policy, followed by factors such as looked-after children, siblings, and distance from the school.

The school does not publish a fixed catchment distance, and the furthest distance offered varies by year depending on the applicant pool. Catholic families seeking a faith-based education in Southeast London and families drawn by the school's Outstanding reputation and academic performance should expect strong competition for places. Prospective parents are advised to consult the school's admissions policy on its website and to contact the school or Greenwich Council for up-to-date guidance on criteria and typical offer distances.

The school serves the Plumstead and Woolwich neighbourhoods, areas with growing demand for high-quality primary places. Its location on Crescent Road, Woolwich (postcode SE18 7BN), places it within reach of families across Greenwich, though proximity alone will not guarantee a place given the admissions oversubscription and the faith criteria applied.

St Peter's Catholic Primary School offers a compelling combination of faith-centred education, academic excellence, and a deeply inclusive community ethos. Its transformation from Inadequate to Outstanding over 16 years is a rare achievement and speaks to the quality of leadership, teaching and governance. Parents seeking a Catholic primary that delivers strong results without losing sight of pastoral care and personal development will find much to value here. The school's performance places it well above national averages and among the strongest in Greenwich, and its small size fosters a close-knit, familial atmosphere.

Admissions are highly competitive, and families should be prepared for that reality. The school's Outstanding rating, its Gospel-rooted mission, and its track record of sustained improvement make it a first-choice school for many Catholic families in Southeast London. For those fortunate enough to secure a place, St Peter's provides a nurturing, high-achieving environment where children are known, supported and challenged to reach their potential.

Is St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London a good school?

Yes. St Peter's is rated Outstanding by Ofsted across all categories as of June 2024. It achieves results well above national averages in Key Stage 2 assessments, ranks 28th out of primary schools in Greenwich, and has demonstrated sustained improvement over many years. The school combines academic rigour with strong Catholic values and inclusive pastoral care.

How do I apply to St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London?

Applications for Reception places are managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Parents should apply via the Greenwich Council admissions portal during the standard application window, typically in the autumn term before the September start. The school follows a faith-based admissions policy, prioritising Catholic children and applying oversubscription criteria set out in its admissions arrangements. Visit the school's website at www.stpeters.greenwich.sch.uk or contact Greenwich Council for full details and deadlines.

What are the school hours at St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London?

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:15pm. A breakfast club is available from 8:00am, and afterschool provision extends the day for families who need wraparound care. Contact the school office for details on booking and costs for extended hours.

What is the religious character of St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London?

St Peter's is a Roman Catholic voluntary-aided primary school. Its mission centres on living out Gospel values, and the Catholic faith is integral to the curriculum, collective worship and school life. Pupils are prepared for sacraments in partnership with St Peter's Parish in Woolwich. The school welcomes families of all backgrounds and emphasises diversity and inclusion within its Catholic framework.

What is the capacity and size of St Peter's Catholic Primary School, London?

The school has a capacity of 210 pupils and currently serves approximately 205 children aged 5 to 11. It offers 30 Reception places each year. The small size allows for a close community atmosphere and strong relationships between staff, pupils and families.