St Matthias Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Faith, Community, and Growth in Stoke Newington

St Matthias Church of England Primary School serves children aged 3 to 11 in the heart of Stoke Newington, Hackney. Established as a Church of England voluntary aided school, it has been a member of the Primary Advantage Federation since September 2011, part of a collaborative network of eight Hackney schools working together to share resources and best practice. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection in June 2023. With a capacity of 240 pupils and a current roll of approximately 160, St Matthias offers nursery provision alongside its Reception to Year 6 classes. The school holds Rights Respecting Schools accreditation and has developed a strong reputation for its commitment to Christian values, mental health awareness, and neurodiversity support. Recent activities include wheelchair basketball partnerships, dedicated mental health awareness weeks, and notable success in inter-school sports competitions, with Year 3 pupils achieving first place in a relay against 20 Hackney schools.

St Matthias anchors its ethos in Anglican faith and Christian values, emphasising collective worship and a rights-respecting approach to education. The school's mission centres on providing a safe and happy environment where children develop academically and socially, preparing them for the lives ahead. Under the leadership of Headteacher Mrs Lucy Blewett and Executive Principal Ms Sarah Davies, the school has cultivated a nurturing atmosphere that balances academic ambition with pastoral care and inclusive practice.

The school joined the Primary Advantage Federation partnership in January 2010, formally becoming part of the federation in September 2011. This collaborative structure allows St Matthias to leverage shared expertise across eight schools while maintaining its distinct Church of England character. The federation model has brought stability and access to specialist resources, particularly in curriculum development and leadership training.

Rights Respecting Schools accreditation reflects the school's commitment to embedding children's rights into daily practice, fostering respect, responsibility, and active citizenship from the earliest years. Neurodiversity awareness programming and mental health initiatives signal a contemporary understanding of children's diverse needs and wellbeing. The school offers extended provision through breakfast and after-school clubs, and runs Family Coach coffee mornings to engage parents in the school community. Recent expansion of outdoor learning opportunities includes access to a neighbouring church garden, enriching the curriculum with hands-on environmental education.

St Matthias operates as a one-form entry primary school, admitting 30 children per year into Reception. The curriculum spans Early Years Foundation Stage through to Year 6, with specialist teaching in areas including Spanish and music. Physical Education is delivered by a dedicated PE teacher, Mr Daniel, enabling more structured skill development and sportsmanship across the year groups.

Most recent performance data shows 67% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. In science, 74% reached the expected standard, though this is below the national average of 82%. Average scaled scores in reading (103), maths (101), and grammar, punctuation, and spelling (101) are close to national norms. The school achieved 13% of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading, writing, and maths, exceeding the national average of 8%.

At individual subject level, 70% reached the expected standard in reading, 65% in maths, and 65% in grammar and spelling. Higher attainment rates show 17% achieving high scores in reading, 9% in maths, and 9% in grammar and spelling. In writing, 13% reached greater depth. These figures place St Matthias broadly in line with or slightly above national averages in core subjects, though with room for improvement in science outcomes.

The school ranks 13,150th in England for primary performance and 50th locally in Hackney, indicating performance below the upper quartile nationally but respectable within a competitive local authority. The June 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed a Good rating, recognising the school's effective provision and leadership. While detailed inspection findings require consultation of the full report, the Good judgment affirms that teaching, behaviour, safeguarding, and leadership meet expected standards consistently.

Curriculum enrichment includes visits to cultural institutions such as the National Gallery and the London Transport Museum, where pupils have participated in coding workshops. Year groups have engaged with opera performances at St Paul's Theatre, Hackney Carnival art and dance workshops, and annual art exhibitions displayed at Hackney Libraries alongside the wider Primary Advantage network. These opportunities extend learning beyond the classroom and connect pupils with Hackney's cultural landscape.

St Matthias benefits from dedicated specialist spaces including a nursery setting for three-year-olds and a structured Physical Education programme. The school has expanded its outdoor learning environment by partnering with a local church to access additional garden space, providing pupils with opportunities for environmental studies and outdoor play.

Sports play a significant role in student life. The school organises annual Sports Days at Finsbury Park for Key Stages 1 and 2, and pupils participate in inter-school competitions with notable success. Recent achievements include second place overall out of 20 schools and first place in the Year 3 relay, making them the fastest Year 3 runners in Hackney. Wheelchair basketball sessions organised through Sport Inspired during Mental Health Awareness Week demonstrate the school's commitment to inclusive sports participation and wellbeing.

Extracurricular provision includes breakfast and after-school clubs, supporting working families and offering extended learning and play opportunities. Arts enrichment features prominently, with workshops in dance, visual arts, and music, including partnerships with Razzamataz theatre school. Year 4 and 5 pupils have contributed art and dance pieces for Hackney Carnival, fostering creativity and community participation.

The school's location in Stoke Newington places pupils in a diverse, urban setting with good access to public transport and local amenities. The community benefits from Hackney's rich cultural infrastructure, including libraries, parks, and museums, which the school utilises regularly for educational visits.

St Matthias admits 30 pupils annually into Reception, making it a one-form entry primary. Admissions are managed by the school as a Church of England voluntary aided school, meaning it sets its own admissions criteria, which typically include faith-based considerations alongside distance and sibling priority. Applicants are required to complete a supplementary information form in addition to Hackney's standard application.

Recent admissions data shows the school is oversubscribed, with 29 applications competing for 15 offers in the most recent cycle. The subscription ratio of 1.93 indicates demand is nearly double the available places, reflecting the school's appeal to local families. All first preference applicants who received offers had listed St Matthias as their first choice, demonstrating strong alignment between parental preference and allocation outcomes.

The school does not publish a fixed catchment distance, and as a faith school, proximity alone may not guarantee admission. Families interested in St Matthias should consult the published admissions policy for the relevant year and complete the supplementary form, available through the school or Hackney Education. Contact the school office on 020 7254 1148 or email admin@st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk for specific guidance on admissions criteria and recent allocation patterns.

Applications are submitted online through Hackney Council's coordinated admissions system. The standard timeline for Reception admissions follows national dates, with applications typically closing in mid-January and offers made in mid-April. Parents should verify exact deadlines and requirements on the school website or through Hackney Education.

St Matthias Church of England Primary School offers a faith-centred education with a strong pastoral framework and a commitment to inclusive practice in a diverse Hackney neighbourhood. The school's membership of the Primary Advantage Federation provides collaborative strength and shared resources, while its Church of England character ensures religious values and collective worship remain central to daily life. Academic results are solid, with combined reading, writing, and maths attainment above the national average and a higher-than-average proportion of pupils reaching greater depth in core subjects.

The school's nurturing ethos, Rights Respecting Schools accreditation, and emphasis on mental health and neurodiversity awareness make it well-suited to families seeking a values-driven environment where individual differences are recognised and supported. Extracurricular provision in sports and the arts is robust, with specialist PE teaching and regular cultural enrichment opportunities. Recent sporting success and inclusive initiatives such as wheelchair basketball reflect a broad view of achievement and participation.

Admissions are competitive, with oversubscription at nearly double the available places. Families drawn to the school's Church of England ethos and community atmosphere should engage early with the admissions process, ensuring they understand faith-based criteria and complete all necessary supplementary forms. St Matthias is a strong choice for parents prioritising a faith-led, inclusive primary education in Stoke Newington, where academic progress is balanced with personal development, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging within a close-knit school community.

Is St Matthias Church of England Primary School a good school?

St Matthias was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2023. Academic performance shows 67% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, above the national average of 62%, and 13% achieving the higher standard, exceeding the national average of 8%. The school is a member of the Primary Advantage Federation, benefits from Rights Respecting Schools accreditation, and has a strong focus on mental health, neurodiversity awareness, and inclusive sports. It offers a nurturing, faith-centred environment with solid academic outcomes and a broad extracurricular programme.

How do I apply to St Matthias Church of England Primary School?

Applications are submitted online through Hackney Council's coordinated admissions system. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St Matthias sets its own admissions criteria, which typically include faith-based considerations. You must complete a supplementary information form in addition to the standard application. Admissions policies and forms for the relevant entry year are available on the school website or through Hackney Education. Reception applications usually close in mid-January, with offers made in mid-April. Contact the school office on 020 7254 1148 or email admin@st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk for specific guidance. The school is oversubscribed, so early engagement with the process is advisable.

What are the term dates for St Matthias Church of England Primary School?

Term dates are set in line with Hackney local authority or the Primary Advantage Federation calendar. These are typically published on the school website in advance of each academic year. Parents should check the school website at www.st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk or contact the school office directly to confirm current and upcoming term dates.

Does St Matthias Church of England Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, St Matthias offers nursery provision for children from age three. The Early Years Foundation Stage programme includes both nursery and Reception classes. Parents interested in nursery places should contact the school office on 020 7254 1148 or email admin@st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk for details on availability, application procedures, and timings.

What extracurricular activities does St Matthias Church of England Primary School offer?

The school provides breakfast and after-school clubs. Specialist PE teaching delivers a structured sports programme, and pupils participate in inter-school competitions, including athletics and wheelchair basketball. Arts enrichment includes workshops in dance, visual arts, and music, with partnerships such as Razzamataz theatre school. Pupils have contributed to Hackney Carnival and visited cultural venues including the National Gallery and the London Transport Museum. Annual art exhibitions and opera performances further enrich the extracurricular offer.

What is the religious character of St Matthias Church of England Primary School?

St Matthias is a Church of England voluntary aided school, with Anglican faith and Christian values central to its ethos. Collective worship is a core component of school life, and the admissions process includes faith-based criteria requiring a supplementary information form. The school welcomes families of all backgrounds, but prospective parents should be comfortable with a Church of England environment and participation in religious education and worship.