Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Lambeth Review 2026: Faith-Based Community Hub on an Improvement Journey

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School serves the Tulse Hill community with a values-led ethos grounded in six principles: Curiosity, Hope, Empathy, Resilience, Creativity, and Happiness. The school's vision emphasises that "every one of our children is unique and special," and it seeks to equip pupils with the knowledge and characteristics needed for future success while serving the wider area "with compassion, empathy and kindness." This one-form-entry primary educates 171 children aged 4 to 11 and includes "The Discovery Zone," a resource hub for pupils with autism. Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in July 2023, Holy Trinity is currently navigating an improvement journey under acting headteacher Pauline Thomas, with particular focus on strengthening curriculum design and leadership structures. The school remains deeply rooted in its Church of England foundation and is recognised for its inclusive practice, good behaviour and attitudes, and strong personal development provision.

Located on Upper Tulse Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth, the school is mixed-gender and runs comprehensive wraparound services including a breakfast club and after-school childcare. Its most recent results show 67% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 62%, though performance at the higher standard (12%) lags slightly behind the England figure of 8%. Science attainment is strong, with 94% reaching the expected level compared to 82% nationally. The school is oversubscribed, with a subscription ratio of 1.78:1 for Reception entry, and receives 32 applications for 18 available places. Holy Trinity holds Music Mark accreditation and Health Schools status, and it maintains a broad curriculum spanning modern foreign languages, computing, arts, music, PE, and phonics, alongside its RE and values-based framework.

The school operates as a voluntary-aided Church of England primary and welcomes families of all faiths and none. Admissions are managed via Lambeth Council's Common Application Form, supplemented by a short additional form submitted directly to the school. Parents should confirm all admissions timings and criteria on the school's website or through Lambeth Council.

Holy Trinity positions Christian values at the heart of school life while maintaining an explicitly inclusive and welcoming stance. The institution's six core values—Curiosity, Hope, Empathy, Resilience, Creativity, and Happiness—underpin teaching, pastoral care, and community engagement. The school emphasises inclusive practice and community service, with the stated aim of developing children who contribute to society with kindness and empathy. This values-based approach is reflected in the school's recognition as a values-based education establishment and its commitment to serving a diverse local community in South London.

The school is part of the Anglican tradition and undergoes regular Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). Its faith identity is visible in daily collective worship, RE provision, and close links with the local parish. Nevertheless, Holy Trinity is open to families from all religious backgrounds and none, and does not prioritise faith affiliation in its admissions criteria beyond acknowledging its Church of England character.

Acting head Pauline Thomas leads the school day-to-day, overseeing a staff committed to the vision of providing "an exceptional learning experience for all the children in our Holy Trinity family." The school runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm Monday to Friday, with the office open from 7:30am to 4:30pm, and it offers breakfast and wraparound childcare to support working parents. The institution maintains active parent communication via weekly newsletters, hosts virtual and in-person school tours by appointment, and encourages partnership with families.

The atmosphere is described as warm and family-oriented. Multi-age classes from Reception/Year 1 through to Year 6 foster a sense of continuity and mutual support among pupils. The Discovery Zone—an autism resource hub integrated within the school—demonstrates the school's commitment to meeting a broad range of needs and ensuring that specialist provision sits alongside mainstream education in an inclusive environment.

Holy Trinity's latest published results show solid attainment in the core subjects of reading, writing and maths. At Key Stage 2, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national figure of 62%. This places the school slightly above the England average in overall attainment. However, the proportion achieving the higher standard (12%) is above the national rate of 8%, indicating that while the school supports the majority of pupils to meet age-related expectations, stretching the most able remains a development area.

Subject-by-subject performance varies. In reading, 60% met the expected standard and 13% achieved the higher score; in writing, 15% demonstrated greater depth; in maths, 72% reached the expected standard and 9% achieved the high score. The combined scaled scores for reading (101), maths (102), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (102) all sit marginally above the national standard of 100. Science attainment is a relative strength, with 94% reaching the expected standard compared to 82% nationally.

The school is ranked 13,060th in England for primary performance (86th percentile) and 53rd within Lambeth, indicating below-average positioning nationally but varied performance within a competitive local authority area. These figures should be interpreted with caution: Holy Trinity is a small one-form-entry school, so year-on-year results can fluctuate significantly based on cohort composition. The recent Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement for quality of education reflects inspectors' view that curriculum implementation and assessment practice require further refinement to secure consistently strong outcomes across all year groups and subjects.

The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum covering English, mathematics, science, computing, art and design, design technology, geography, history, modern foreign languages, music, PE and dance, phonics, PSHE/RSE, and religious education. Phonics and early literacy are taught systematically in the early years and Key Stage 1, and the school uses a structured approach to reading.

The Discovery Zone functions as an autism resource provision within the school, catering to pupils with autistic spectrum conditions and providing specialist teaching and support. The school employs a SENCo and works with external specialists to meet a range of special educational needs. Pastoral support is rated Good by Ofsted, and personal development provision is seen as a strength, with pupils benefiting from a values curriculum, PSHE, and opportunities for leadership and responsibility.

Extracurricular life at Holy Trinity centres on music, sport, and arts. The school holds Music Mark accreditation, indicating a commitment to high-quality music education, and music is taught as part of the core curriculum. Physical education includes a variety of sports and dance, and the school has achieved Health Schools status, underlining its focus on wellbeing and active lifestyles.

Classes are organised in a multi-age structure, which can foster collaboration and peer support across year groups. Pupils have opportunities to develop leadership skills through roles such as school councillors and playground buddies. The school's values framework encourages curiosity, creativity, and resilience, and pupils are encouraged to engage in service to the local community.

The school occupies a single site on Upper Tulse Hill. While specific details of the physical estate are limited in publicly available sources, the school provides breakfast and after-school childcare, indicating a commitment to flexible provision for working families. The Discovery Zone is a dedicated space supporting pupils with autism, ensuring that specialist resources and staffing are available within the main school building.

The school runs wraparound childcare, with the breakfast club and after-school provision enabling parents to drop off from 7:30am and collect as late as 4:30pm. This flexibility is a practical asset for local families balancing work and school schedules.

Holy Trinity is a one-form-entry primary with a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 30 for Reception. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 32 first-preference applications for 18 available offers, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.78:1 and an oversubscribed status. All 18 offers were made to families who listed Holy Trinity as their first choice. These figures indicate that competition for places is moderate but real, and families should be mindful that securing a place is not guaranteed even for local applicants.

Lambeth Council has recently reduced PANs across the borough in response to falling birth rates, welfare reform impacts, and migration uncertainties. As a result, the school's capacity (420) significantly exceeds its current roll (171), reflecting the broader demographic trend in inner London rather than the school's appeal.

Admissions are coordinated by Lambeth Council via the standard Common Application Form (CAF), and parents must also submit a short additional form directly to the school. Applications typically open in the autumn preceding the September intake, with national offer day in mid-April. Parents should apply through the Lambeth e-admissions portal and email or deliver the supplementary form to the school office.

The admissions policy is distance-based and does not explicitly prioritise active church attendance or faith affiliation beyond acknowledging the school's Church of England character. Proximity to the school is the primary factor after considering looked-after children and siblings. No distance data is publicly available for the most recent intake, so prospective families should contact the school or Lambeth Council to understand current catchment reach.

Holy Trinity is a local anchor for families in Tulse Hill and surrounding areas. The school's inclusive ethos means it welcomes children of all backgrounds, faiths, and abilities, including those requiring specialist autism support through The Discovery Zone. Parents should visit the school's website or book a tour to understand how the school's values and provision align with their child's needs.

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School offers a values-led, inclusive education in the heart of Tulse Hill, blending a strong faith ethos with a practical commitment to serving the local community. The school's six core values—Curiosity, Hope, Empathy, Resilience, Creativity, and Happiness—are woven through daily life, and its reputation for good behaviour, strong personal development, and specialist autism provision (The Discovery Zone) will appeal to families seeking a warm, supportive environment for children with a range of needs.

Academically, Holy Trinity performs above the national average in combined reading, writing and maths attainment, with particularly strong science results. However, the school is on an improvement journey following its July 2023 Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement. Inspectors highlighted the need to strengthen curriculum design, teaching consistency, and leadership structures, and prospective parents should be aware that the school is still working to address these areas. The small one-form-entry size means that cohort results fluctuate, and national rankings should be read in that context.

The school's wraparound care, Music Mark accreditation, and broad curriculum are clear strengths. The inclusive admissions policy and proximity-based criteria make it accessible to local families, though moderate oversubscription means securing a place is not guaranteed. Acting headteacher Pauline Thomas and her team are focused on delivering the vision of "an exceptional learning experience" while navigating the challenges identified by Ofsted.

Holy Trinity is well-suited to families who value a faith-based, values-driven education with a strong pastoral heart, and who are prepared to support a school in a period of active improvement. Parents seeking a small, community-focused primary with specialist autism provision and flexible childcare should arrange a visit to see the school's ethos in action. Those expecting consistently outstanding outcomes and settled leadership may wish to monitor progress closely before committing.

Is Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Lambeth a good school?

Holy Trinity is rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (July 2023), with Good judgements for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. The school performs above national averages in core attainment and science, and is recognised for its inclusive ethos, values-led approach, and specialist autism resource (The Discovery Zone). However, curriculum consistency and leadership structures are identified areas for development. It is a good fit for families seeking a small, faith-based, community-focused primary with strong pastoral care, but parents should be aware the school is working to address Ofsted's improvement priorities.

How do I apply to Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Lambeth?

Applications for Reception places are made via Lambeth Council's Common Application Form (CAF), preferably through the online Lambeth e-admissions portal. Parents must also submit a short supplementary form directly to the school by post, hand delivery, or email to admin@holytrinity.lambeth.sch.uk. The school address is Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Upper Tulse Hill, London SW2 2RL. Applications typically open in the autumn for the following September intake, with national offer day in mid-April. Confirm deadlines and criteria on the school's website or via Lambeth Council's admissions service.

What is the catchment area for Holy Trinity Primary School, Lambeth?

Holy Trinity uses a proximity-based admissions policy coordinated by Lambeth Council. The school does not publish an official catchment boundary, but priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and then distance from home to school. The most recent intake saw 32 applications for 18 offers, with a subscription ratio of 1.78:1, indicating moderate competition. No distance data is publicly available for the furthest offer. Families should contact the school or Lambeth admissions to understand current catchment reach and apply early through the Lambeth CAF and school supplementary form.

Does Holy Trinity have a sixth form or nursery?

Holy Trinity is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 (Reception to Year 6) and does not have a sixth form or formal nursery provision. The school does offer wraparound care including breakfast club and after-school childcare from 7:30am to 4:30pm, supporting working families. For pre-school provision, parents should explore local nurseries and early years settings in Tulse Hill and Lambeth.

What are the school's strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths include above-average attainment in reading, writing and maths combined (67% vs 62% nationally), strong science results (94% vs 82%), good behaviour and attitudes, strong personal development provision, inclusive ethos, specialist autism support (The Discovery Zone), Music Mark accreditation, Health Schools status, and flexible wraparound childcare. Weaknesses identified by Ofsted include curriculum implementation requiring further refinement, leadership and management structures needing strengthening, and variable teaching quality. The school is on an active improvement journey and parents should monitor progress.

What is the religious character of the school?

Holy Trinity is a voluntary-aided Church of England primary with a Christian ethos and values framework. The school holds regular collective worship, teaches RE as part of the curriculum, and undergoes SIAMS inspections. However, it is explicitly inclusive and welcomes families of all faiths and none. Faith affiliation is not a primary admissions criterion, and the school serves a diverse local community. Parents seeking a faith-based education with an open, welcoming approach will find it a good fit.