South Harringay Junior School Review 2026: High-achieving junior years in a tight-knit federation

A junior school with unusually strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and the calm routines to match. South Harringay Junior School serves pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7 to 11) in South Harringay, within a federation that has operated as one school since September 2016. Ian Scotchbrook is the headteacher (appointed as executive headteacher of the two schools in September 2016). The latest full inspection outcome is Outstanding, with all key judgement areas also rated Outstanding (inspection date: 24 May 2023).

For families weighing up junior transfer, the practical story is simple: most children move up from the linked infant school into Year 3, and the school is clear that this step requires a local authority application even when the pathway feels natural.

The tone here is purposeful and kind. The most revealing detail is how explicitly pupils are expected to live the school’s values, which are set out as Resilience, Honesty, Contribute, and Respect. Those words are not treated as branding. They appear in behaviour expectations, in pupil roles, and in how children are described when the school talks about day-to-day culture.

Pupils are given responsibility early and often. Formal roles such as school councillors, peer mediators, and reading buddies are part of the structure, not an occasional enrichment add-on. That matters because it shapes how disagreements are handled on the playground and how younger or less confident pupils are supported. A school that takes peer mediation seriously is usually a school that cares about low-level issues before they escalate.

The federation model also influences the feel. With one headteacher across infant and junior phases, routines and expectations can stay consistent across the transition into Year 3. For many families, that continuity is a real advantage, particularly when a child is academically able but sensitive to change.

This is a high-performing junior school by any reasonable reading of the published data. In the most recent Key Stage 2 measures provided, 82.67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined. The England average in the same measure is 62%.

Depth is where the profile becomes distinctive. At the higher standard in reading, writing, and maths, 43.33% achieved the higher threshold, compared with an England average of 8%. That is an unusually large gap, and it suggests that the top end is stretched systematically rather than occasionally.

Scaled scores reinforce the same theme. The average scaled scores are 109 for reading, 106 for maths, and 108 for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Rankings (based on FindMySchool analysis of official outcomes data) place the school at 2,338th in England for primary outcomes, and 16th in Haringey. In plain terms, that sits comfortably within the top quarter of schools in England for this phase, above the England average overall and strong locally too. Parents comparing several local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tool to line up these measures side-by-side rather than relying on anecdote.

Teaching is built around consistency and a knowledge-led approach, with deliberate attention to reading. From Year 2 through Year 6, the school sets out a whole-class reading approach focused on comprehension and inference, alongside a daily reading-for-pleasure slot and small-group work targeted to need. The important implication is that reading is treated as the engine for the wider curriculum, not just an English lesson component.

Lesson structure is transparent. The published daily timetable for Key Stage 2 shows a clear sequence: whole-class reading, English, maths, then wider curriculum later in the day. That predictability matters for pupils who thrive on routine, and it can be especially helpful for children managing anxiety or attention difficulties.

Curriculum enrichment is not an afterthought. The school highlights trips, visits, and workshops as integral to pupils’ learning, including museum-based workshops that tie directly into curriculum units (for example, geology-related work linked to a volcanoes and earthquakes topic). The implication for families is that learning is not confined to written tasks and tests, and that the school uses London’s resources intelligently.

As a junior school, the key “destination” decision is secondary transfer after Year 6. The school’s role here is guidance, preparation, and transition support rather than allocating places. Practical preparation appears in structured transition activities such as Junior Citizens style safety and life-skills sessions aimed at helping pupils prepare for increased independence.

Families should keep a close eye on timelines. In Haringey, the closing date for secondary applications for September 2026 entry is 31 October 2025. That is earlier than many parents expect when their child is only just settling into Year 6 routines. Planning visits and narrowing a shortlist through the summer and early autumn of Year 6 is usually the least stressful route.

There are two distinct admissions stories here, and it is important not to blur them.

1. Joining the junior school in Year 3 (the main entry point).

Even in a federation where most children move up internally, Year 2 families must apply for a Year 3 place through the local authority. In Haringey, applications for a junior school place for September 2026 entry close on 15 January 2026. Offers are issued on the relevant offer day in April.

The school also gives a useful clue about how it handles open events. For Reception interest, open mornings generally take place during October. For families thinking about Year 3 entry (often parents of Year 2 children), the school indicates that open events for that group usually run later in the autumn term. The safest approach is to treat open events as seasonal patterns and check the calendar each year for the exact dates.

1. In-year admissions (mid-year moves).

Like most local authority schools, in-year movement depends on availability and is handled through official routes. If you are considering a move mid-year, the best practical step is to check year-group capacity before building plans around a transfer.

Families dealing with distance-sensitive admissions should use FindMySchool Map Search to measure precise home-to-school distance the same way councils do. Even small differences can matter in London allocations.

Pastoral support is organised and layered. The school describes a learning mentor role within the junior phase, including a discreet “mentor mail” system that allows pupils to raise concerns privately. That is a practical mechanism, not a poster slogan, and it tends to be most valuable for children who would not otherwise put their hand up about friendship issues or bullying worries.

There is also a school counsellor working one day per week, using play-therapy techniques for time-limited support blocks (typically one session per week over around 10 to 12 weeks), with parent or carer consent. For families, the implication is that support exists for short-term, specific issues, but it is not designed to replace specialist external services for complex or long-standing needs.

Safeguarding leadership is clearly identified within the senior team. This matters less as a marketing point and more as a reassurance that processes are likely to be consistent and understood across staff groups.

The extracurricular offer has two strong features: structured wraparound provision, and a broad menu of clubs that includes both sport and creative options.

The Green after-school club is the headline practical provision. It runs on-site until 6pm and is described as oversubscribed on many evenings, with a waiting list. For working families, that combination tells you two things. First, the school is set up to support full working days. Second, you should plan early, because places may not be available immediately. The club’s policy also sets out staffing structure and named leadership, which generally signals a well-run operation rather than a loosely supervised add-on.

Beyond wraparound care, clubs listed include street dance, drama, choir, chess, science, gymnastics, tag rugby, netball, and several team sports. That is the breadth. The texture comes from what the school chooses to celebrate publicly, such as a dedicated crochet club showcased with pupil work, and curriculum-linked trips that sit somewhere between enrichment and academic extension.

The best extracurricular programmes do not just occupy time, they reinforce identity. Here, the combination of creative clubs (crochet, drama, choir), physical activity (gymnastics, tag rugby), and responsibility roles (peer mediators, reading buddies) supports a culture where pupils can find a niche even if they are not the loudest, fastest, or most confident.

Daily structure is clearly set out for Key Stage 2. The doors open at 8.50am, registration is at 9.00am, and the Key Stage 2 day runs through to a 3.30pm home time.

Wraparound care is a strength. Breakfast club runs from 8.00am, with a specific junior offer for Years 3 to 6, and The Green after-school club operates until 6.00pm. Demand for both is described as high, so families who rely on wraparound should plan for possible waiting lists.

Travel at drop-off and pick-up has changed in recent years. A School Street scheme was launched on 15 April 2024, limiting vehicle access on nearby roads at key times on school days. The intended effect is calmer, safer, less polluted school-run periods. For many families, this means building a walking, scooting, or public transport routine rather than a door-to-door car journey.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Budget instead for the usual extras such as uniform, clubs, and occasional trips.

• Junior entry requires an application. Year 2 families moving into Year 3 still need to apply through the local authority. It is easy to assume federation means automatic transfer; in practice, paperwork still matters.

• Wraparound demand can shape logistics. Breakfast club and The Green after-school club are both described as popular, with waiting lists. If childcare is non-negotiable, confirm availability early.

• High attainment can bring pressure. With outcomes this strong, some pupils feel the weight of expectation, especially those who are conscientious. Families should ask how stretch is balanced with wellbeing for their child’s temperament.

• School Street restrictions affect car access. If you rely on driving right up to the gate, the School Street operating times may require a rethink of drop-off and pick-up routines.

South Harringay Junior School combines top-quartile outcomes with a culture built on routine, responsibility, and clear values. It suits families who want a structured junior phase with strong academic stretch, reliable wraparound options, and a settled transition from infant to junior years within a federation. The main challenge is less about the education and more about practical navigation, admissions deadlines, wraparound availability, and school-run logistics under School Street rules.