Fenstanton Primary School Review 2026: Inclusive Community Hub Facing Closure

Fenstanton Primary School serves the richly diverse community of Tulse Hill in Lambeth as a two-form entry primary with nursery provision, where inclusion sits at the heart of the school's mission. Established to instil kindness, resilience, aspiration and nurture alongside the values of the Gipsy Hill Federation—which also includes Elm Wood, Glenbrook, Kingswood and Paxton Primaries—the school supports children aged 3 to 11 in a co-educational, non-denominational setting. The site at Abbots Park has capacity for 630 pupils, though the roll has dropped significantly in recent years to around 270 pupils, and Lambeth Council confirmed a decision to close the school in September 2026 due to falling birth rates and the impact of a per-pupil funding model. With over 55% of pupils identified as disadvantaged—well above national averages—Fenstanton operates as a vital community anchor for some of Lambeth's most vulnerable families. Most recent results show 61% of Year 6 pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, which compares to a national average of 62%, and the school holds a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted following an inspection in June 2023. Admissions for the final cohorts are managed through the Lambeth e-admissions portal, and competition has been notable, with 39 applications for 21 Reception places in the latest cycle. The headteacher is Ms Gillian Roberts, who joined from Kingswood Primary in October 2019.

Fenstanton Primary describes itself as a community where high expectations guide teaching and learning, and where practitioners support pupils to see difficulties as challenges they can overcome. The school's core values—kindness, resilience, aspiration and nurture—permeate daily life, aiming to prepare children for life beyond primary school and develop responsible citizens. As part of the Gipsy Hill Federation since its formation, Fenstanton benefits from shared governance, professional development opportunities and a collective commitment to promoting British values and moral purpose across the five partner schools.

Former pupils recall a school that was historically considered one of the very best primaries in the area, with a strict but fair ethos, happy and bright pupils, and strong success rates in the 11-plus era. The atmosphere today reflects the school's diverse intake, with almost half of pupils speaking English as an additional language and just over half eligible for free school meals. Pupils are described as proud of their school and of their learning, and the June 2023 Ofsted inspection noted that behaviour and attitudes are good, with children engaging actively in lessons, music and sports.

The Federation model brings additional stability and collaboration, and leaders organise a rich set of experiences for all year groups, including educational outings, theatre visits and the popular summer camping trip for Year 6. Inspection evidence and parent feedback indicate that safeguarding is effective, pupils feel safe, and the school provides a nurturing environment where inclusion is prioritised.

Despite the strengths in ethos and pastoral care, the school faces an uncertain future. Lambeth Council's decision to close Fenstanton and Holy Trinity CE Primary in 2026 reflects broader challenges in inner-London primary education: a significant drop in birth rates, the effects of Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis, and a government funding formula tied directly to pupil numbers. Fenstanton's roll fell from 572 in 2011–12 to 271 in 2023–24, leaving the site 57% empty with 359 unfilled places. The closure proposal has been met with opposition from school governors, who argue that the school serves a highly disadvantaged community and acts as a critical hub of stability and resources for vulnerable families.

Fenstanton delivers a broad curriculum aimed at securing basic skills while motivating and challenging all pupils. In some subjects—most notably mathematics—the curriculum is well sequenced and taught effectively, with teachers using clear mathematical language, modelling key vocabulary, and checking that pupils are secure in foundational knowledge. The June 2023 Ofsted report highlighted that where the curriculum is strong, pupils build knowledge systematically and make good progress.

However, the inspection also found that curriculum implementation is inconsistent across the school. In several subjects, pupils lack secure foundational knowledge, and in computing and Spanish the curriculum is taught sporadically, resulting in limited pupil knowledge. Leaders are aware of these weaknesses and are working to ensure all subject leaders have a clear understanding of the essential knowledge pupils need, though this work is not yet complete. The overall quality of education was rated Requires Improvement.

Results from the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments show that 61% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is marginally below the national average of 62%. Scaled scores in reading (101), maths (99) and grammar, punctuation and spelling (99) cluster around the national mean of 100, indicating broadly typical attainment. In reading, 57% met the expected standard and 13% achieved the higher score; in maths, 55% met the expected standard and 11% achieved the higher score. Science outcomes are stronger, with 77% of pupils reaching the expected standard, though this is below the national figure of 82%. The proportion of pupils achieving greater depth in writing stands at 9%, and 11% reached the high standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the national figure of 8%.

Fenstanton ranks 14,492nd in England for primary outcomes, placing the school below the national average in the context of published league tables. Within Lambeth, the school ranks 60th locally. Inspection evidence suggests that while pupils in well-taught subjects make good progress, inconsistencies in curriculum delivery hold back achievement in other areas.

The school has a pupil-teacher ratio of approximately 20:1. Special educational needs provision is embedded within the school's inclusive ethos, and leaders aim to identify and remove barriers to learning so that all pupils, regardless of ability or starting point, can reach their potential. The proportion of pupils with SEN is 16.8%, which is in line with national expectations. Targeted interventions and a commitment to high expectations for every child underpin the school's approach to support, though the Ofsted report noted that early years provision also requires improvement and that leaders need to ensure the curriculum is implemented more consistently.

Pupils new to the school library are keen to use it and talk enthusiastically about the books they have read in class, reflecting positive attitudes to reading. The school offers Portuguese club and gymnastics as after-school activities, and pupils enjoy educational trips, theatre visits and the chance to perform—recent highlights include the school choir performing at the Royal Festival Hall.

Fenstanton occupies a site on Abbots Park in Tulse Hill with capacity for 630 pupils, though the building now accommodates fewer than 300 children. The school offers nursery provision for 3-year-olds, two-form entry from Reception through Year 6, and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for learning and play. A new school library has been introduced and is popular with pupils, who enjoy browsing and discussing books. The site includes classrooms, a hall for assemblies and physical education, outdoor play areas and spaces for specialist teaching.

Extracurricular provision includes music and sports opportunities, with pupils participating actively in after-school clubs such as Portuguese and gymnastics. The school choir is well regarded, and pupils speak enthusiastically about their chance to perform at prestigious venues. Educational outings are a staple of the school calendar, with all year groups benefiting from trips to museums, theatres and outdoor learning environments. The Year 6 summer camping trip is a particular highlight, offering children an immersive outdoor experience and the chance to build resilience and teamwork.

Pupils describe feeling happy and safe at school, and behaviour is generally good. The June 2023 Ofsted inspection found that pupils are welcoming and kind to one another, and that the school has created a positive culture where children take pride in their learning and their community. The diverse intake enriches daily life, and the school's commitment to inclusion ensures that children from a wide range of backgrounds and starting points are supported to thrive.

Given the planned closure in 2026, prospective families should consider the school's remaining lifespan carefully. Current pupils will be supported through transition arrangements, but the longer-term future of the site and the community it serves remains uncertain.

Admissions to Fenstanton Primary are managed by Lambeth Council via the e-admissions portal, following the standard local-authority process for primary school applications. The school offers 30 Reception places each year (two-form entry), though in the latest cycle 21 offers were made for 39 applications, indicating moderate oversubscription with a ratio of approximately 1.86 applications per place. All applicants who named Fenstanton as their first preference received an offer, suggesting that families who prioritise the school are successful.

Lambeth's admissions policy typically prioritises looked-after children, children with education, health and care plans naming the school, children with exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and then distance. Specific catchment boundaries and the last distance offered are not published in the available data, but the school's urban location in Tulse Hill and its membership of the Gipsy Hill Federation mean that it serves a defined local community in South Lambeth.

For families considering a place at Fenstanton, it is essential to be aware of the confirmed closure in September 2026. The school will cease to admit new Reception cohorts from September 2025 or sooner, depending on council plans, and current pupils will be supported to transfer to other local primaries. Parents should contact Lambeth Council and the school directly to confirm whether any further intakes are planned and to understand transition arrangements. While the school remains open, it continues to offer a nurturing, inclusive environment for its remaining cohorts, and families seeking a diverse, community-focused primary with federation support may find Fenstanton a good fit for the limited time it operates.

Prospective families should also consider the implications of the closure for continuity and community stability. The decision has been opposed by school governors and community campaigners, who emphasise the school's role as a hub for highly disadvantaged families in an area with significant social need. For families weighing options in the Tulse Hill area, neighbouring schools within the Gipsy Hill Federation—Elm Wood, Glenbrook, Kingswood and Paxton—may offer similar values and provision with longer-term security.

Fenstanton Primary School presents a complex picture: a historically strong primary with a clear commitment to inclusion, kindness and high expectations, now operating in the shadow of a confirmed closure in 2026. For families in Tulse Hill seeking a diverse, nurturing community school with federation backing, Fenstanton can still offer a valuable primary education for the remaining time it is open, particularly for children already enrolled or families able to plan for a mid-primary transfer to another school. The school's ethos, its emphasis on resilience and aspiration, and its track record of pastoral care mean that pupils are likely to feel safe, supported and proud of their learning during their time at Fenstanton.

However, the academic picture is uneven. Ofsted's Requires Improvement rating reflects inconsistent curriculum implementation, with strong teaching in mathematics offset by gaps in subjects such as computing and Spanish. Results in reading, writing and maths are broadly in line with national averages, but not above them, and the school's national ranking places it below average in the wider primary landscape. For families prioritising academic outcomes and a stable, well-established school environment, these factors—combined with the imminent closure—may be significant drawbacks.

Admissions data shows moderate competition and a school that serves its immediate community effectively, with all first-preference applicants receiving offers in the latest cycle. The location in Tulse Hill, part of the Gipsy Hill Federation, and the high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals all point to a school that fulfils an important social role, even as falling rolls and structural funding pressures have made its future untenable under current policy.

For families who value community, diversity and a nurturing ethos, and who can accept the reality of transition planning, Fenstanton remains a viable choice in the short term. For those seeking longer-term stability, higher academic outcomes and a curriculum that is consistently strong across all subjects, exploring alternative primaries in Lambeth—particularly those within the same federation—is advisable. The closure is a loss for the Tulse Hill community and a reminder of the challenges facing inner-London primaries serving disadvantaged families in an era of falling pupil numbers and per-capita funding.

Is Fenstanton Primary School a good school?

Fenstanton Primary School is rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted, with good behaviour and attitudes and a strong commitment to inclusion and pastoral care. Academic outcomes are broadly in line with national averages, but curriculum implementation is inconsistent, and the school will close in September 2026. For families seeking a nurturing, diverse community primary with federation support in the short term, Fenstanton can be a good fit. For those prioritising long-term stability and consistently strong academic outcomes, other local primaries may be preferable.

How do I apply to Fenstanton Primary School?

Apply through Lambeth Council's e-admissions portal as part of the standard primary admissions process. However, given the confirmed closure in September 2026, prospective families should contact Lambeth Council and the school directly to confirm whether any further Reception intakes will take place and to understand transition arrangements for current pupils.

What are the school's strengths?

Fenstanton's strengths include its inclusive ethos, commitment to kindness, resilience and high expectations, strong pastoral care, positive behaviour and attitudes among pupils, and membership of the Gipsy Hill Federation. The school offers a rich set of experiences, including educational trips, theatre visits, music performance opportunities and a popular summer camping trip for Year 6.

What are the areas for improvement?

The school must address inconsistent curriculum implementation across subjects, particularly in computing and Spanish, where teaching is sporadic and pupils have limited knowledge. Leaders need to ensure all subject leaders understand the essential knowledge pupils require and that the curriculum is taught systematically and effectively. Early years provision also requires improvement, and academic outcomes, while broadly in line with national averages, are not above them.

What is the school's approach to special educational needs?

Inclusion is at the heart of Fenstanton's ethos. The school identifies and works to remove barriers to learning so that all pupils, regardless of ability or starting point, can achieve their potential. Approximately 16.8% of pupils have special educational needs, in line with national expectations, and the school provides targeted support within a nurturing, high-expectations environment.

Will the school remain open for current pupils?

Yes, Fenstanton will continue to operate until September 2026, when it is scheduled to close. Current pupils will be supported through transition arrangements to other local primary schools. Families with children already enrolled should liaise closely with the school and Lambeth Council to understand the timeline and ensure a smooth transfer.