Heathbrook Primary School Review 2026: South Lambeth Primary with Southbank Centre Arts Partnership

Heathbrook Primary School is a community primary serving pupils aged 3 to 11 in South Lambeth, London. The school's distinctive partnership with the Southbank Centre as an Associate School sets it apart, enabling children to participate regularly in musical and arts events at one of London's premier cultural venues. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2020, Heathbrook combines strong academic standards with a bespoke Community Curriculum built on four pillars: arts, music, outdoor learning and sport. With Artsmark Gold recognition and a wildlife garden offering forest school opportunities, the school attracts families from across South London willing to travel past closer alternatives for its exceptional environment and creative approach. The school accommodates 393 pupils across two forms of entry, with a nursery provision serving children from age 3. Oversubscribed at Reception entry, Heathbrook received 95 applications for 39 places, with over 80% of families choosing to pass more local schools to access its distinctive offer.

Heathbrook Primary School's ethos centres on the belief that every child is unique, with a shared vision across leadership and governors to create a learning environment where staff can enable "dreams through knowing each child." This philosophy underpins every aspect of school life, from the design of the meticulously planned site to the four pillars of learning: arts, music, outdoor learning and sport. These foundational elements shape both the curriculum and the physical environment, creating what parents describe as an inspiring and nurturing setting.

Strong relationships with families lie at the heart of the school's community approach. The thriving Parent Teacher Association, Friends of Heathbrook, actively supports the school's vision and values, contributing to the strong sense of belonging that characterises the school. This community ethos extends beyond the gates, with partnerships including the Southbank Centre and local arts organisations enriching the educational experience and connecting children to the cultural life of London.

The school's commitment to outdoor learning is particularly distinctive. The wildlife garden provides forest school opportunities where pupils learn about wildlife, grow vegetables and plants, build dens and engage with the natural world. This outdoor space, combined with specialist facilities including an art studio and opportunities to play in the school orchestra, reflects Heathbrook's determination to offer children a genuinely broad and rich education. Nursery staff focus on providing a happy, stimulating and safe environment that enables learning through nurturing wellbeing, establishing patterns of engagement and curiosity that carry through to Year 6.

Heathbrook Primary School delivers academic outcomes well above national averages, ranking 1,318th in England and placing it in the top 9% of primary schools nationally. Within Lambeth, the school ranks 13th, demonstrating strong performance in a competitive local context. At Key Stage 2, 88% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, significantly exceeding the national average of 62%. The school's strength in reading is particularly notable, with 96% of pupils meeting the expected standard and 61% achieving the higher score, well above national figures.

The school's average scaled scores reflect this strong performance: 111 in reading, 108 in maths and 107 in grammar, punctuation and spelling. These scores translate into solid foundations for secondary school. Notably, 36% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three core subjects, more than four times the national average of 8%, indicating that the school successfully supports children working at greater depth. The proportion achieving high scores in reading, maths and grammar stands at 46%, again significantly above national expectations.

In science, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard. Writing outcomes show 88% meeting expected levels, with 13% achieving greater depth. In maths, 93% reached the expected standard, with 35% achieving high scores. The school's approach balances high expectations in English and maths with the creative elements of the Community Curriculum, ensuring that academic rigour coexists with opportunities for artistic and outdoor learning.

The school's pupil-to-teacher ratio of 17:1 supports this approach, enabling staff to know each child well and tailor teaching accordingly. The extended school day from 7.30am to 6pm, alongside a huge range of before and after school activities, provides additional opportunities for support and enrichment. Heathbrook's belief in stimulating children to develop a love of learning in its widest sense underpins both the formal curriculum and the broader educational experience.

The site at Heathbrook has been meticulously planned to provide an extremely rich, interesting and creative environment for learning and play. The wildlife garden stands as a centrepiece, offering forest school opportunities that connect children directly with nature. Here pupils can learn about wildlife, grow vegetables and plants, build dens and develop an understanding of the natural world, with the outdoor space serving as both a classroom and a playground.

The school's commitment to the arts is visible in specialist facilities including an art studio where children can invent and create. Music is central to school life, with opportunities to play in the school orchestra and participate in events including the Lambeth Music Festival, Lambeth Country Show, BrightSparks concerts and Primary Proms. As an Associate School of the Southbank Centre, pupils regularly visit the Royal Festival Hall to take part in a vast range of creative activities. One notable programme saw Year 4 classes perform the opera 'Noye's Fludde' alongside professional opera singers in the Clore Ballroom before a large audience, giving children access to professional-level artistic experiences rarely available in primary education.

Sport features as one of the four curriculum pillars, with children participating in a wide range of local sporting activities. The school's recognition with Artsmark Gold status reflects its exceptional commitment to arts and cultural provision, validated by Arts Council England. The extended day from 7.30am to 6pm supports working families while providing additional time for clubs, activities and homework support. This wraparound provision, combined with the before and after school programme, enables children to pursue interests and develop talents beyond the formal curriculum.

Pupils at Heathbrook exhibit friendliness towards one another and visitors, with Ofsted noting a strong sentiment among children that bullying is absent. The school's culture of inclusion and belonging, established in the nursery and sustained through to Year 6, creates an environment where children feel safe, valued and able to take risks in their learning. The meticulously designed environment, from the wildlife garden to the creative spaces, reflects the school's determination to inspire children and cultivate a genuine love of learning.

Heathbrook Primary School is heavily oversubscribed, with 95 families applying for 39 Reception places, representing a subscription rate of 2.44:1. All 39 first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, indicating that the school can accommodate all those who rank it as their first choice within the available spaces, though demand far exceeds supply. The school is managed by Lambeth local authority as a community school, with admissions coordinated through Lambeth's primary admissions process.

The school advises prospective parents that successful applications depend on a range of factors which vary year to year, and while families regularly ask about the 'catchment area', no fixed catchment guarantees admission. Standard Lambeth community school criteria typically include priority for looked after children, children with exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and thereafter distance from the school measured in a straight line. Over 80% of current families travel past more local schools to access Heathbrook's distinctive curriculum and environment, testament to the school's appeal across South London.

Parents interested in Reception entry for September should consult Lambeth Council's primary admissions information for current timelines and processes, typically opening in the autumn term for the following September. The school's admissions page provides guidance on what to expect and how applications are managed. Nursery provision is available from age 3, with separate admissions arrangements detailed on the school's website. Given the level of competition, families are advised to consider Heathbrook's distinctive offer carefully, particularly the four-pillar curriculum and Southbank Centre partnership, to ensure it aligns with their child's needs and their family's priorities.

For the most accurate information on oversubscription criteria, distances offered in previous years, and application processes, parents should visit the school's admissions page at heathbrook.org and review Lambeth Council's published admissions data. The school recommends contacting the office directly with specific questions about individual circumstances, and welcomes prospective families to visit and experience the school's distinctive environment and ethos firsthand.

Heathbrook Primary School presents a compelling proposition for South London families seeking a state primary that combines strong academic outcomes with a genuinely distinctive creative and outdoor curriculum. The school's partnership with the Southbank Centre, Artsmark Gold status, and forest school provision differentiate it clearly from neighbouring primaries, while results place it well above national averages and in the top tier of Lambeth schools. The 88% achieving expected standards in reading, writing and maths, and 36% reaching higher standards, demonstrate that academic rigour coexists successfully with the arts-rich Community Curriculum.

The school's four-pillar approach—arts, music, outdoor learning and sport—is not rhetorical; it is embedded in timetables, facilities, and partnerships. Children perform opera at the Royal Festival Hall, tend the wildlife garden, play in the school orchestra, and participate in local sporting events, experiencing a breadth of opportunity rarely found in a two-form entry primary. The meticulously designed environment, extended day from 7.30am to 6pm, and strong community ethos supported by an active PTA create conditions where children can thrive academically and personally.

Competition for places reflects this distinctiveness, with families travelling from across South Lambeth and beyond to access the school. With 95 applications for 39 Reception places, admission is not assured even for nearby families, and prospective parents should engage early with Lambeth's admissions process. For families who value creativity, outdoor learning and cultural enrichment alongside strong academic foundations, Heathbrook offers a rare combination. The school's ethos of knowing each child, nurturing their unique potential, and inspiring a love of learning in its widest sense is not just aspiration but practice, visible in the outcomes, the environment, and the experiences children receive daily.

Is Heathbrook Primary School a good school?

Yes, Heathbrook Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted following its inspection in January 2020. The school ranks in the top 9% of primary schools nationally, with 88% of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2, well above the national average of 62%. Academic outcomes are strong, and the school's distinctive Community Curriculum with its partnership with the Southbank Centre provides exceptional cultural and creative opportunities alongside solid academic foundations.

How do I apply to Heathbrook Primary School?

Applications for Reception places are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated primary admissions process, typically opening in the autumn term for the following September. Parents should complete the Common Application Form via Lambeth's admissions portal, ranking up to six schools in order of preference. Heathbrook operates standard community school oversubscription criteria, prioritising looked after children, those with exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and distance from the school. Nursery applications are made directly to the school. Visit heathbrook.org for detailed guidance and timelines.

What is the catchment area for Heathbrook Primary School?

Heathbrook Primary School does not operate a fixed catchment area. As a Lambeth community school, places are allocated using distance-based criteria after priority categories are applied. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 95 applications for 39 Reception places, and over 80% of families travel past closer schools to attend. Successful applicants' distances vary year by year depending on demand. The school provides a map showing distances travelled by recently admitted pupils. Consult Lambeth Council's admissions data for distance information from recent years.

What makes Heathbrook Primary School distinctive?

Heathbrook's distinctiveness lies in its four-pillar Community Curriculum focusing on arts, music, outdoor learning and sport. The school is an Associate School of the Southbank Centre, enabling regular participation in cultural events at the Royal Festival Hall, including opera performances with professional artists. The school holds Artsmark Gold status, reflecting exceptional arts provision. The wildlife garden offers forest school opportunities, and the site is meticulously designed to inspire learning. Strong academic results coexist with this creative breadth, providing a well-rounded education.

Does Heathbrook Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Heathbrook Primary School has nursery provision for children from age 3. The nursery focuses on providing a happy, stimulating and safe environment that enables learning through nurturing wellbeing. Nursery admissions are managed separately from Reception admissions, with details available on the school's website at heathbrook.org. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place, as Reception admissions are coordinated by Lambeth Council using standard oversubscription criteria. Parents interested in nursery places should contact the school directly.

What are the school hours and wraparound care options?

Heathbrook Primary School offers an extended day from 7.30am to 6pm, supporting working families with before and after school provision. This wraparound care includes breakfast club, after school clubs, and a huge range of activities across arts, music, sport and other interests. The school also operates a Children's Centre as part of the Clapham Manor and Heathbrook Children's Centre group. The extended day enables pupils to access enrichment opportunities beyond the formal curriculum while providing flexible childcare for families. Contact the school for specific details on costs and booking.