Glenbrook Primary School Review 2026: A Community School with Strong Maths and Caring Ethos in Clapham Park

Glenbrook Primary School is a one-form entry state primary serving children aged 3 to 11 in the heart of Clapham Park, South London. The school moved into a purpose-built modern facility in recent years, complete with dedicated art and music spaces, a light-filled library, and its own Forest School area within leafy grounds. As part of the Gipsy Hill Federation since 2015, Glenbrook is rated Good by Ofsted and places strong emphasis on nurturing confident, lifelong learners through an ambitious curriculum. The school is especially notable for its mathematics provision, with the headteacher holding a PhD in children's mathematical reasoning from Cambridge University. In the most recent results, 73% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. Glenbrook is a mixed, non-denominational community school with nursery provision and a capacity of 450 pupils.

Glenbrook recognises the potential of every child to achieve excellence and flourish as confident lifelong learners. The school's mission centres on high expectations, kindness, and celebrating the individuality of every child within a culturally rich community. Staff and pupils enjoy warm, respectful relationships, and inspectors in 2021 found that pupils know staff want them to succeed and feel well supported by their teachers.

Since joining the Gipsy Hill Federation in 2015, the school has been part of a collaborative network alongside Elm Wood, Fenstanton, Kingswood and Paxton primaries. Inclusion sits at the heart of the Federation's work, and Glenbrook was confirmed as an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence following assessment in February 2015. The Federation's shared ethos aims to ensure every child is fully included academically and socially, and that all individuals make accelerated progress toward their full potential.

The atmosphere at Glenbrook is calm, friendly and purposeful. Pupils are polite and courteous, work well with peers, and show enthusiasm for their learning. They have meaningful opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities as school councillors and peer mediators, roles designed to build confidence and model cooperation and tolerance. The school celebrates the heritage and experiences of every family, providing an education free from discrimination. Most pupils say bullying is rare and trust adults to take their concerns seriously.

Ms Jane Scarsbrook has served as headteacher since July 2019. She brings 18 years of experience teaching and leading primary schools in London, and her academic pedigree is particularly strong in mathematics education. Dr Scarsbrook achieved Advanced Skills Teacher status early in her career and pursued doctoral research at Cambridge University into children's reasoning about shape, space and measure, completing her PhD in 2021. She also holds an MA in Education with a focus on children's imaginative talk in maths and an MBA.

Under her leadership, the school has strengthened its curriculum offer and maintained good outcomes despite the challenges of the pandemic period. The most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2021 praised Glenbrook's "ambitious curriculum for all pupils" and highlighted the high quality of teaching, leadership, management and inclusion. Staff plan well-sequenced and interesting lessons that bring subjects alive, and inspectors found that teachers' expectations are consistently high.

Glenbrook delivers a broad and balanced curriculum enriched by specialist teaching in art and design, music and PE. Teachers provide pupils with strong foundations in core subjects while also ensuring regular exposure to science, humanities, computing, languages and the arts. The curriculum is designed to be both ambitious and inclusive, meeting the needs of all learners and building cultural capital through a wide range of enrichment experiences.

Primary Performance

In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, Glenbrook pupils performed in line with or above national averages across most measures. 73% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%. In individual subjects, 65% met the expected standard in reading, 77% in maths, and 65% in grammar, punctuation and spelling. Notably, 88% achieved the expected standard in science, well above the national figure of 82%.

At higher attainment levels, 14% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, significantly above the national average of 8%. The school saw particularly strong performance in maths, where 23% of pupils achieved a high score, and 19% did so in grammar, punctuation and spelling. Scaled scores were solid: 103 in reading, 106 in maths, and 104 in grammar, all comfortably above the national standard of 100.

Glenbrook ranks 8,935th nationally among primary schools, placing it in the 59th percentile and broadly in line with typical performance across England. Locally within Lambeth, the school ranks 45th. These rankings reflect consistent, solid outcomes rather than exceptional attainment, aligning with the school's Good Ofsted rating and its focus on ensuring every child makes progress from their starting points.

Strengths in Mathematics

Mathematics is a particular strength. Pupils develop their mathematical proficiency through knowledgeable and skilful teaching, and Ofsted noted that pupils are given good opportunities to apply their mathematical knowledge to problem-solving and develop reasoning skills. The influence of the headteacher's specialist expertise in mathematical reasoning is evident in the school's approach, and outcomes in maths consistently exceed those in reading.

Areas for Development

Ofsted identified reading as an area where progress lags slightly behind mathematics. Inspectors noted that teachers do not always recognise pupils' achievements and efforts in reading as effectively as they might. The school has focused on strengthening its reading culture and ensuring all pupils develop fluency and a love of books. The bright, welcoming library at the entrance to the new building symbolises the school's commitment to raising the profile of literacy.

The modern school building, opened in recent years, represents a significant improvement on the previous site. The entrance opens onto a light-filled library, setting the tone for a learning environment that values literacy and provides welcoming spaces for all. Dedicated specialist spaces for art and design, music and PE enable high-quality teaching in these subjects. Outdoor provision includes generous grounds with a Forest School area, allowing children to engage in outdoor learning, take managed risks, and connect with nature.

Nursery children benefit from tailored indoor and outdoor provision in a nurturing environment designed to support early childhood development. The Forest School complements the curriculum by offering hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that build confidence, resilience and environmental awareness.

Extracurricular and Enrichment

Glenbrook provides a rich programme of clubs and activities beyond the school day, including football, healthy living and reading clubs. Music provision is strong: all pupils receive weekly music lessons, every child in Year 4 learns to play the ukulele, and individual tuition is available for guitar, drums and piano.

Educational visits are frequent and purposeful, with trips to Kew Gardens, Hampton Court, the Science Museum and the Chelsea Flower Show designed to inspire curiosity and broaden horizons. The school organises regular themed learning days, including Spanish Day, Sustainability Day and Victorians History Day. A highlight of the calendar is Global Arts Day, when the entire school collaborates on a large-scale art installation.

Glenbrook has cultivated fantastic partnerships with St Thomas's Foundation, Emanuel School and Dulwich College, offering pupils access to resources, expertise and experiences that extend their learning. These links reflect the school's commitment to providing every opportunity for children to flourish.

Glenbrook Primary School is a community school maintained by Lambeth, and admissions are coordinated through the local authority. The school serves children from age 3 in its nursery through to age 11 at the end of Year 6. With a total capacity of 450, Glenbrook operates as a one-form entry school, meaning it typically admits around 30 pupils into Reception each year.

Glenbrook is consistently oversubscribed. The most recent admissions data shows that the school received 38 applications for just 13 Reception places, resulting in a subscription ratio of almost 3:1. All 13 first-preference applicants received offers, indicating that the school is popular within its immediate community but that competition for places is significant. Parents should be aware that proximity to the school and understanding Lambeth's admissions criteria are key to securing a place.

Lambeth's admissions process follows a standard priority order: looked after children, those with exceptional social or medical need, siblings of current pupils, and then children living closest to the school. Distance is measured in a straight line from home to the school's main entrance. Unfortunately, the furthest distance offered in the most recent admissions round is not publicly available, but given the level of oversubscription, families within a few hundred metres of the school are most likely to secure places.

Application Process

Parents apply through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions scheme. The application window for Reception entry typically opens in the autumn term, with a deadline in mid-January and offers made on National Offer Day in mid-April. Parents are encouraged to visit the school during open days and to list Glenbrook as one of their preferences if they live nearby and value its ethos and curriculum.

Context and Future Changes

It is worth noting that the primary school landscape in Lambeth is changing. Over the past decade, the number of children starting primary school in the borough has fallen by almost 30%, leaving more than 500 vacant Reception places. In response, Lambeth has consulted on amalgamations and reorganisations. Glenbrook itself has been mentioned in discussions about potential mergers with other schools, though no final decisions have been confirmed. Parents should check the Lambeth Council website and the school's own communications for the latest information on any planned changes.

Despite the broader demographic shifts, Glenbrook remains a popular and oversubscribed school serving the Clapham Park community.

Glenbrook Primary School is a solidly performing, inclusive and caring community school that offers families in Clapham Park a warm and purposeful learning environment. The move to a modern, well-designed building has provided pupils with excellent facilities, including dedicated spaces for art, music and outdoor learning, and the school makes good use of these resources to deliver a broad and ambitious curriculum.

Academically, Glenbrook delivers outcomes that are consistently above national averages in most core subjects, with mathematics a particular strength. The headteacher's expertise and passion for mathematical reasoning have clearly influenced teaching quality, and pupils develop strong problem-solving skills. While reading attainment is slightly less strong, the school is actively working to raise the profile of literacy, and the welcoming library at the heart of the building symbolises that commitment.

The school's membership of the Gipsy Hill Federation and its status as an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence reflect a genuine commitment to meeting the needs of every child. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive, behaviour is calm and respectful, and pupils have meaningful opportunities to take on leadership roles and develop their confidence.

Glenbrook's strong partnerships with local organisations and independent schools, combined with a rich programme of extracurricular activities, trips and themed learning days, ensure pupils experience more than a narrow focus on test results. The emphasis on values such as cooperation, tolerance and kindness helps prepare children for life beyond primary school.

For families living close to the school, Glenbrook represents a strong choice. Its small size and one-form entry structure mean that children are known well by staff, and the community feel is evident. However, significant oversubscription means that securing a place requires proximity and careful attention to Lambeth's admissions criteria. Parents further afield should be realistic about their chances and consider alternative schools within easier reach.

Overall, Glenbrook Primary is a good school doing a good job. It is not an academic powerhouse, but it offers a balanced, inclusive and enriching primary education grounded in high expectations and genuine care for every child.

Is Glenbrook Primary School a good school?

Yes, Glenbrook Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted and delivers outcomes that are above national averages in most subjects. The school is recognised for its ambitious curriculum, strong mathematics teaching, and inclusive ethos. Pupils feel well supported, behaviour is positive, and the quality of teaching and leadership is good.

How do I apply to Glenbrook Primary School?

Applications are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions process. The application window for Reception entry typically opens in the autumn term, with a deadline in mid-January and National Offer Day in mid-April. Parents should visit the Lambeth Council website for full details and to submit their application online.

What are the admissions criteria for Glenbrook Primary School?

Glenbrook follows Lambeth's standard admissions criteria: looked after and previously looked after children, exceptional social or medical need, siblings of current pupils, and then distance from home to school. Distance is measured in a straight line. The school is consistently oversubscribed, so proximity is important.

Does Glenbrook Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Glenbrook has nursery provision for children aged 3. The nursery offers a nurturing environment with tailored indoor and outdoor learning spaces designed to support early childhood development.

What is the catchment area for Glenbrook Primary School?

Glenbrook does not have a defined catchment area. Admissions are based on proximity once higher priority criteria have been applied. Given the level of oversubscription, families living within a few hundred metres of the school are most likely to secure places. Parents should check recent admissions data on the Lambeth Council website for guidance.

What extracurricular activities does Glenbrook Primary School offer?

Glenbrook offers a range of clubs including football, healthy living, and reading. Music is a strength: all pupils receive weekly music lessons, every Year 4 child learns the ukulele, and individual lessons are available for guitar, drums and piano. The school also organises themed learning days and educational visits.

What are the school's strengths?

Glenbrook's key strengths include mathematics teaching, an inclusive and caring ethos, strong partnerships with local organisations, excellent modern facilities including specialist spaces and Forest School provision, and a broad and enriching curriculum. The school is also recognised for the quality of its leadership and inclusion practices.

How many pupils attend Glenbrook Primary School?

The school has a capacity of 450 pupils and operates as a one-form entry school, meaning it typically admits around 30 children into Reception each year. Current pupil numbers are around 166, suggesting that the school is not at full capacity at present.

What is the school's Ofsted rating?

Glenbrook Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted, following an inspection in May 2021. Inspectors praised the school's ambitious curriculum, high-quality teaching, leadership, inclusion and the warm relationships between staff and pupils.

Is Glenbrook Primary School part of a federation or trust?

Yes, Glenbrook is part of the Gipsy Hill Federation, a collaborative partnership of five primary schools in Lambeth. The Federation was formed to share expertise, strengthen leadership and ensure high-quality inclusive education across all member schools.