Jessop Primary School Review 2026: Musical Excellence and Academic Ambition in South London

When Jessop Primary School pupils take the stage at the Royal Festival Hall with Music Masters — a London charity that brings classical instruments into schools — they experience something profound. At this state primary school nestled between Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction in Lambeth, musical enrichment is not a bonus activity but central to the school's identity. With 93% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, significantly above the England average of 62%, the school achieves something rare: exceptional academic performance wrapped in genuine joy of learning. Ofsted graded the school Outstanding, and over the past 9 years has delivered excellent curriculum provision as well as pupil outcomes well above the national and local average year on year. Jessop ranks in the top 3% of schools in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), 445th out of 15,158 schools nationally.

Ms Andrea Parker serves as Executive Headteacher while Mr Kenneth Baffoe leads daily operations as Head of School. The school operates as a two-form entry community school within the BJS Federation, alongside Bonneville and Stockwell primaries, creating a collaborative network that strengthens provision across three institutions. This federation structure means pupils, staff and families benefit from shared expertise and coordinated approaches to learning.

The atmosphere at Jessop centres on pupil agency. Pupils are not passive recipients of education but active architects of their own learning. On a daily basis, pupils review their own outcomes, celebrate their achievements within each specific lesson and also identify their targets for the subsequent lesson. This is a daily occurrence that ensures that teaching and learning is a pupil led process. The school deliberately places responsibility in pupils' hands through structured roles: peer mediators, prefects, friendship buddies, play leaders and school council members. This philosophy shifts power away from adults alone and toward the children themselves.

The school's core value is inclusion. Jessop is a value school. Their core value is one of inclusion. They are made of pupils of all social circumstances, all backgrounds, pupils with a variety of health needs and pupils with a range of social advantages. This is not marketing language but lived reality, shaped by Lambeth's demographics and the school's deliberate commitment to serving all families.

Key Stage 2 Outcomes

Jessop's 2024 Key Stage 2 results place the school among the strongest in London. 93% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This 31%age point margin indicates substantial progress across the full pupil cohort.

Looking deeper into performance by subject:

• Reading: 95% met the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 111 (England average: 100). At the higher standard, 63% achieved greater depth in reading.
• Writing: 28% achieved greater depth, a figure well above England average.
• Mathematics: 93% reached the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 109. 42% achieved the higher standard.
• Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling: 93% met the expected standard; 56% achieved the higher standard, demonstrating exceptional mastery of technical language skills.
• Science: 98% of pupils reached the expected standard, the strongest performance of all areas assessed.

The Ofsted inspection on 30 January 2024 rated the school Outstanding for Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management, though Early Years provision was rated Good.

Rankings

Jessop ranks 445th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 3% of schools nationally (top 10% of schools in England). Within Lambeth, the school ranks 7th among all primaries. These rankings reflect sustained excellence over many inspection cycles.

The curriculum at Jessop is carefully structured and intentionally ambitious. The curriculum is meticulously designed and ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This ensures that pupils are fully engaged in their learning and motivated to achieve well.

Teaching methodology emphasises diagnostic assessment, responsive planning and structured delivery. Teachers regularly check pupils' understanding during lessons to identify misconceptions swiftly, enabling them to adjust teaching in the moment. Phonics teaching is delivered by well-trained staff, with early readers receiving timely intervention if they fall behind. Differentiation means pupils working at different levels receive appropriately pitched activities within mixed-ability classes.

The school deliberately separates sciences from combined teaching, allowing pupils to develop specialist understanding. Mathematical concepts are taught with emphasis on depth over speed, giving pupils time to truly grasp principles rather than merely memorise procedures. Reading is not confined to English lessons but embedded across the curriculum, supporting pupils to learn through text across history, geography, science and other areas.

Music is the defining strength of Jessop's extracurricular provision. All pupils receive weekly opportunities for dance lessons, access to musical instruments, and access to classical instruments such as the violins and the cellos. Through the long standing partnership with London Music Masters, pupils have enjoyed unique opportunities to perform at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, working with renowned musicians.

Music: A Pillar of School Life

The partnership with London Music Masters represents an exceptional opportunity. The majority of pupils have successfully learnt to play the violin. The school's involvement with the London Music Masters Partnership provides pupils with exceptional opportunities to learn to play a musical instrument and perform in concerts. This is not token activity; it is woven into the curriculum. Pupils gain access to instruments and expert instruction, many performing at prestigious London venues including the Royal Festival Hall. The school has also hosted renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti, who worked with pupils on specially commissioned repertoire.

Beyond strings, the school provides weekly dance tuition for all pupils, ensuring movement and expressive learning permeate the week. A school band represents a longstanding tradition of musical ensemble work, with pupils collaborating on performances across the school year.

Residential Experiences

Year 4 pupils participate in a residential trip to Ufton Court, a 44-acre outdoor learning centre on the Berkshire/Hampshire border. This multi-day immersion combines history and outdoor education, with pupils engaging in hands-on learning within re-created historical environments (Tudor Manor, Viking settlement, Celtic roundhouse). The trip builds confidence, develops teamwork and deepens historical understanding through experiential learning.

Extracurricular Clubs

The school runs an extensive after-school club programme from 4:30 to 5:45pm, with activities changing termly. Clubs span creative arts, sports, computing and more. A Breakfast Club operates from 8:00am, ensuring early arrivals are supported. All extended day activities are booked termly on the school's online payment platform (Weduc App).

Physical Activity & Sports

The school prioritises physical development through structured PE, outdoor sessions and playtimes. Healthy lunches form part of the daily offer, supporting holistic wellbeing.

Reception entry into Jessop is highly competitive. In the last admissions cycle, 155 applications were received for just 30 available places, representing a subscription proportion of 5.17. The school is categorised as oversubscribed. Applications are managed through Lambeth's coordinated admissions scheme rather than direct to the school. Parents wishing to apply should contact Lambeth Local Authority by the published deadline (typically September of the year before entry).

The school operates as a one-form entry establishment from September 2025 onwards, following a reduction from two forms due to demographic changes in the borough. This smaller intake may improve admission chances marginally but does not change the competitive nature of entry.

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:30pm. Breakfast Club opens to all children starting at 8:00am. The cost is £2.00 per session and needs to be paid four weeks in advance. After-school activities run until 5:45pm, requiring advance booking.

Travel: The school is located at Lowden Road, Herne Hill. The nearest National Rail station is Herne Hill (12 minutes' walk), with Loughborough Junction a 10-minute walk away. Bus routes 3, 196, 345 and 368 serve the area. The school has no dedicated car park; on-street parking is available along Lowden Road.

Uniform: The school maintains a uniform policy. Details are available on the school website.

Meals: School meals are provided daily. Menus are published on the school website.

Wellbeing is embedded in school culture. All aspects of children's development are equally important. The school day is designed to ensure the growth of children's physical health through playtimes, outdoor sessions and healthy lunches. The social and emotional growth of pupils is enhanced by the daily emphasis on moral and social values.

Staff are well supported in their roles, enabling them to provide consistent, responsive care. Safeguarding is prioritised through effective procedures and regular training. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, indicating commitment to meeting diverse learning needs.

For pupils requiring additional support, the school's Executive SENCo coordinates provision. Early intervention in reading ensures pupils at risk of falling behind receive timely help. Where needed, pupils access targeted strategies and specialist resources tailored to their needs.

Jessop Primary includes a nursery accepting children from age 2. The school operates as part of the BJS Federation, which includes an attached children's centre. For current nursery fees and funding information (including government-funded hours for eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds), visit the school website or contact the school directly on 020 7274 2333. Early years provision was rated Good by Ofsted in January 2024.

Competition for places: Jessop receives over five times as many applications as places available. Families living outside the school's immediate locality should not assume automatic entry. The reduction to one-form entry from September 2025 makes entry even more selective. Use the FindMySchool distance tool to check proximity to the school gates.

Federation model: While the BJS Federation provides benefits through shared expertise and resources, families should understand that the school is part of a three-school alliance. Leadership and some services are shared across all three schools, which may affect how quickly individual school issues are resolved.

Limited secondary transfer data: As a primary school, Jessop does not control where pupils progress at age 11. Secondary transition is managed by Lambeth's coordinated admissions. Families considering Jessop should research secondary options within the borough, including grammar schools (which require the 11+ entrance test) and non-selective secondaries.

Jessop Primary is an inclusive, academically ambitious community school where music and the arts thrive alongside rigorous teaching of core subjects. Pupils feel trusted to lead their learning, teachers have high expectations and the curriculum is intentionally designed to challenge all learners — including those with additional needs. For families living within reasonable proximity to Herne Hill who value academic strength, inclusive culture and genuine creative opportunities, Jessop offers exceptional value as a state primary. The main barrier is entry; securing a place requires either living very close to the school or entering the lottery of oversubscription. Once admitted, children benefit from a thriving learning environment that takes both their intellectual development and their joy in learning seriously.