Herbert Morrison Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Results in the Heart of Lambeth

Herbert Morrison Primary School stands among the top-performing primaries nationally, with 87% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined—well above the national average of 62%. This one-form-entry community primary in South Lambeth achieved an Outstanding Ofsted rating in May 2023, reflecting the school's commitment to positivity and high expectations across its 213-pupil roll. Founded as a small, inclusive school with a supportive family atmosphere, Herbert Morrison operates as part of the Wyvern Federation alongside three neighbouring Lambeth primaries. The school offers nursery provision from age 3 and boasts a beautiful nature garden and impressive grassed playing area in the centre of London. With a long-standing headteacher who has led since 2016 and grew up locally, the school combines deep community roots with consistently strong academic outcomes. Highly oversubscribed, with more than three applications for every reception place, Herbert Morrison attracts families seeking a proven track record in a warm, values-led environment.

Herbert Morrison Primary School's ethos centres on positivity and high expectations as its foundational principles. The school's stated mission is to develop every child's potential, provide challenging environments, and ensure everyone is valued where children thrive. This commitment to mutual respect and excellence permeates the school's culture, creating a calm and respectful atmosphere noted by Ofsted inspectors.

The school has served the South Lambeth community for decades as a maintained community primary. Headteacher Lucy Peake has led the school since September 2016, bringing continuity and deep local knowledge—she grew up in Pimlico and has been associated with the school since 1997. Her leadership extends beyond Herbert Morrison; she leads on safeguarding across the Wyvern Federation and delivers training for the London South Teaching School Hub, reflecting the school's wider influence in the borough.

In recent years, Herbert Morrison federated with three other Lambeth primaries—Ashmole, Vauxhall and Wyvil—to form the Wyvern Federation under a single governing board. This collaborative structure enables shared resources, professional development, and best practice while maintaining each school's individual identity. The Federation's partnership with the Lambeth Teaching School Alliance further enriches professional learning opportunities for staff.

The school environment is welcoming and purposeful. Despite its urban setting, Herbert Morrison benefits from a beautiful nature garden and an impressive grassed area that provide children with valuable outdoor learning and play spaces. Facilities from a local secondary school are used to deliver enhanced sport, art and science sessions, extending the school's physical resources beyond its own site. The Early Years Foundation Stage environment is particularly rich and stimulating, offering high-quality learning experiences both indoors and outdoors that harness children's natural curiosity.

A distinctive feature is the school's 'In Harmony' music partnership, which provides opportunities for pupils to learn instruments and connect with the London music scene. Pupils have performed at prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, giving them experiences far beyond what might be expected in a small one-form-entry primary. Associations with an international bank have led to extensive improvements to outdoor areas in the Early Years Foundation Stage, demonstrating the school's success in leveraging community partnerships.

The school holds the Artsmark Silver award, recognising its commitment to high-quality arts education. This focus on enrichment sits alongside a strong emphasis on core academic skills, particularly reading and phonics instruction. The curriculum is designed to be creative, inclusive and stimulating, broadening pupils' knowledge beyond their immediate community while meeting all National Curriculum requirements.

Herbert Morrison Primary School delivers academic outcomes that place it well above national averages and within the top quarter of primaries nationally. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 87% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%. This performance ranks the school 3,619th out of approximately 15,000 primaries in England and 24th within Lambeth.

Results in individual subjects are equally impressive. In reading, 96% of pupils met the expected standard with an average scaled score of 109, and 48% achieved the high score—six times the national average of 8%. Mathematics saw 85% reaching the expected standard with an average scaled score of 105, and 26% attaining the high score, more than three times the national rate. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 89% met the expected standard with an average scaled score of 106, while 33% achieved the high score. Science results were also strong, with 93% reaching the expected standard compared to 82% nationally.

High attainment is not limited to those reaching the expected threshold. The school achieves a 30% rate of pupils reaching the higher standard across all three core subjects simultaneously, nearly four times the national average. This demonstrates the school's success in stretching able learners, although the most recent Ofsted inspection suggested that teachers could provide even more challenge for the most able pupils to match their excellent progress.

The school's curriculum is varied and innovative, designed to engage pupils' interest while broadening their knowledge. Ofsted inspectors noted that the curriculum engages pupils effectively and extends their understanding beyond their immediate community. High standards in English and mathematics are ensured through engaging teaching methods that support excellent pupil progress.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is outstanding. SEND pupils make exceptional progress, backed by strong partnerships with specialists and effective intervention reviews. The school is committed to raising achievement for all pupils, supporting both the most able learners and those requiring additional help. The ethos of high expectations applies equally across the ability range.

Reading and phonics instruction receive strong emphasis, laying foundations for literacy success. The school's focus on foundational skills ensures pupils build secure understanding before moving forward. Behaviour and attitudes are exemplary, with high standards and clear behaviour systems creating a calm learning environment where pupils show respect for one another and their teachers.

Class sizes reflect the school's one-form-entry structure, with approximately 30 pupils per class and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 19.7:1. The school employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers, supported by 6 teaching assistants and 11.5 non-teaching staff, providing robust staffing levels for a school of 213 pupils.

Wrap-around care services support working families, with breakfast club and after-school provision available. Seasonal after-school clubs offer enrichment activities, and Sports Premium funding supports a strong physical education programme. The school also operates enrichment programmes specifically targeting able, gifted and talented students.

Life at Herbert Morrison Primary School extends well beyond the classroom, with a strong emphasis on arts, music, sports and outdoor learning. The school's nature garden and grassed play area provide rare green spaces in the heart of South Lambeth, allowing children to explore, play and learn outdoors.

Music plays a central role through the school's 'In Harmony' music partnership. This programme enables pupils to learn instruments and connect with London's vibrant music scene, with pupils performing at the Royal Festival Hall—an extraordinary opportunity that broadens horizons and builds confidence. The school's Artsmark Silver award recognises sustained commitment to arts education across visual arts, drama and music.

Physical education benefits from partnerships with local secondary schools, whose facilities are used to deliver sport sessions. Sports Premium funding supports a comprehensive PE curriculum and after-school sports clubs. The school's grassed area provides space for team games and outdoor activities.

After-school clubs change seasonally, offering variety throughout the year. While specific clubs vary, the school ensures a range of activities to cater to different interests and abilities. Enrichment programmes for able, gifted and talented pupils provide additional challenge and opportunity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage benefits from particularly high-quality provision. Investment supported by partnerships with corporate sponsors has led to extensive improvements to outdoor areas, creating rich, stimulating environments for the youngest learners. The EYFS setting harnesses children's natural curiosity through well-planned indoor and outdoor learning experiences, providing children with an excellent start to their education.

Pupil welfare and online safety are taken seriously, with comprehensive policies and education ensuring children are safe and supported. The inclusive ethos means every child is valued and supported to develop confidence and enthusiasm for learning.

Herbert Morrison Primary School is highly oversubscribed, attracting far more applicants than available places. For reception entry, the school received 89 applications for 27 places, representing a subscription rate of 3.3:1. All families who listed Herbert Morrison as their first preference and received an offer did so, indicating that the school fills entirely from first-preference applicants with many disappointed families each year.

Applications for reception entry must be made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions process. For September 2026 entry (children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022), the application deadline is midnight on 15 January 2026. Both normal admissions for reception entry and in-year applications for casual vacancies must be made directly through Lambeth Council, not to the school.

As a community school, Herbert Morrison follows Lambeth's standard admissions criteria, which typically prioritise looked-after children, children with exceptional medical or social need, siblings of current pupils, and then children by distance from the school. Specific priority criteria and previous years' furthest distance offered are available from Lambeth Council's admissions team.

The school offers weekly tours every Tuesday at 9:30am during term time, providing prospective families with the opportunity to visit and see the school in action. Given the high level of competition, families are encouraged to attend a tour and to list multiple preferences on their application form.

Nursery provision is available from age 3, offering families an early entry point to the school community. However, attendance at the school's nursery does not guarantee a reception place; all reception applications are considered according to Lambeth's admissions criteria.

The school's location on Hartington Road in South Lambeth, postcode SW8 2HP, places it in a densely populated area with many families seeking places. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating and strong academic results make it one of Lambeth's most sought-after primaries. Families considering Herbert Morrison should research Lambeth's admissions arrangements carefully, understand the priority criteria, and ensure their application is submitted by the deadline.

Herbert Morrison Primary School exemplifies what a small, values-led urban primary can achieve when excellence and inclusion go hand in hand. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating and top-quartile national results are underpinned by a culture of high expectations, mutual respect and genuine care for every child. Parents seeking a school where academic rigour combines with creativity, music and the arts will find much to admire.

The school's strengths are clear: consistently strong results across all subjects, outstanding SEND provision, exemplary behaviour, innovative curriculum enrichment, and deep community roots through long-standing leadership. The partnership within the Wyvern Federation adds resilience and shared expertise, while collaborations with external partners—from local secondaries to the Royal Festival Hall—open doors that enrich every child's experience.

The school's small size (one form entry) will appeal to families seeking a close-knit, family atmosphere where every child is known and valued. However, this size also means limited places and fierce competition for entry. With more than three applicants for every reception place, families must approach admissions realistically and ensure they understand Lambeth's priority criteria.

Ofsted's suggestion that the most able could be challenged even further is a minor point in an otherwise glowing inspection, and the school's track record of high attainment at the greater depth standard suggests this is being addressed. The school's urban setting means outdoor space, while thoughtfully designed, is more limited than suburban or rural schools might offer—though the nature garden and grassed area are well-used assets.

For families fortunate enough to secure a place, Herbert Morrison offers a rare combination: a small, nurturing school environment with big ambitions for every child, proven academic success, and a rich programme of arts, music and enrichment that brings learning to life. Its record of sustaining excellence over time, combined with leadership stability and federation support, suggests this is a school where children will continue to thrive for years to come.

Is Herbert Morrison Primary School a good school?

Yes, Herbert Morrison Primary School is an Outstanding school as rated by Ofsted in May 2023. The school achieves results well above national averages, with 87% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined compared to 62% nationally. It ranks within the top quarter of primaries in England and is highly sought-after in Lambeth.

How do I apply to Herbert Morrison Primary School?

Applications for reception entry must be made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions process, not directly to the school. For September 2026 entry, the deadline is midnight on 15 January 2026. Visit the Lambeth Council admissions website or contact the school on 020 7720 3439 for details. The school offers weekly tours on Tuesdays at 9:30am during term time.

What are the school's admission criteria?

As a community school, Herbert Morrison follows Lambeth Council's standard admissions criteria, which typically prioritise looked-after children, children with exceptional medical or social need, siblings of current pupils, and then children by distance. The school is highly oversubscribed (3.3 applications per place), so families should research Lambeth's admissions policy carefully.

Does Herbert Morrison Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, the school offers nursery provision for children from age 3. However, attending the school's nursery does not guarantee a reception place—all reception applications are considered according to Lambeth Council's admissions criteria.

What makes Herbert Morrison Primary School special?

Herbert Morrison combines strong academic results with a rich arts and music programme, including the 'In Harmony' partnership that has seen pupils perform at the Royal Festival Hall. The school has a beautiful nature garden, is part of the Wyvern Federation for shared resources and expertise, and maintains an inclusive, family atmosphere where every child is valued and supported to excel.

What is the school's approach to SEND?

The school provides outstanding support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. SEND pupils make excellent progress through strong partnerships with specialists, effective intervention reviews, and a whole-school commitment to raising achievement for all pupils. The school's inclusive ethos ensures high expectations apply equally to all learners.