Kingswood Primary School Review 2026: Split-Site Community School in the Gipsy Hill Federation

Kingswood Primary School is the flagship school of the Gipsy Hill Federation, a National Teaching School serving West Norwood in Lambeth since its establishment as a four-form-entry split-site primary. With its Upper and Lower Sites on Gipsy Road, the school combines the practical benefits of a federation structure with a strong commitment to inclusion and breaking down barriers for every child. Recent results show 80% of Year 6 pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined, surpassing the national average of 62%, and placing the school in line with typical performance nationally. Led by headteacher Kelly Foster since 2019, Kingswood educates 414 pupils aged 3 to 11 across its two sites, with nursery provision and a deliberately nurturing ethos grounded in creativity, ambition and resilience.

Kingswood describes itself as "an exceptional school community, full of creativity, ambition and drive." Inclusion sits at the heart of the school's mission: leaders speak of identifying potential obstacles and removing them to help children fulfil their dreams, both academically and socially. The school's inclusion team works closely with families, ensuring that every child receives what they need to make progress at their own level. Staff are positioned as role models, embodying determination, resilience and perseverance, and the co-leadership model reinforces continuity and collaboration. As part of the Gipsy Hill Federation alongside Elm Wood, Fenstanton, Glenbrook and Paxton primaries, Kingswood benefits from shared expertise, resources and professional development opportunities inherent in a National Teaching School network. The split-site structure—with Upper and Lower Sites a short walk apart on Gipsy Road—provides distinct spaces for different age groups while maintaining a unified identity. Parents and inspectors alike note the school's warm, inclusive atmosphere, where bullying is rare and pupils trust adults to address concerns.

Kingswood's curriculum is carefully designed to build knowledge progressively, with Quality First Teaching at its core. All planning is differentiated so that every child can access lessons and make progress at their level. The most recent Key Stage 2 results are strong: 80% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the 62% national average. In reading, 84% met the expected standard with an average scaled score of 105; in maths, 74% reached the threshold with a score of 102. Grammar, punctuation and spelling performance was particularly robust, with 83% meeting expectations and a scaled score of 106. At the higher standard, 19% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing and maths, more than double the national 8%. The school also excels in science, with 89% reaching expected standards against 82% nationally. Ofsted's October 2024 inspection rated all areas—quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision—as Good. Inspectors noted that the curriculum supports pupils' understanding of important concepts, from online safety in Year 2 to building a positive digital reputation for future careers in Year 6. Teaching staff are praised for their expertise and dedication, and pupils are typically focused and engaged in lessons. Some behaviour and attendance policies were noted as being in the early stages of implementation, meaning expectations and consequences are not always consistently clear, but overall conduct is positive.

The school's split-site arrangement offers distinct environments tailored to different age groups. Both the Upper and Lower Sites feature enjoyable outdoor spaces, including areas for quiet reading and active play. Extracurricular provision is extensive: swimming is a particular strength, and pupils can participate in clubs covering gymnastics, gardening, art, multi-sports, football, dance and arts and crafts through the Action Zone programme. Breakfast and after-school clubs operate on both sites from 7:30 a.m., providing structured and unstructured play opportunities indoors and outdoors, planned by experienced playworkers and teaching assistants. Wider personal development is well considered, with pupils learning to appreciate different faiths and cultures and developing social responsibility. The school's inclusion ethos extends beyond the classroom, with the inclusion team supporting families and removing barriers to participation. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 19:1 and 414 pupils across the school, class sizes are manageable and staff know families well.

Kingswood Primary School is heavily oversubscribed, with 126 applications competing for just 28 Reception places in the most recent admissions cycle—a subscription ratio of 4.5 to 1. Every first-preference applicant who received an offer had listed Kingswood as their top choice, reflecting both the school's strong reputation and the intense competition for places. Admissions are managed by Lambeth Council, which operates a distance-based allocation system for community schools. For September 2025 entry, applications are open to children born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021, with the standard primary admissions deadline of mid-January. The catchment area varies year-on-year depending on demand, but families should be aware that proximity to the school is a key factor. Parents are advised to consult Lambeth's annual primary admissions brochure and interactive catchment maps on the council's website, and to consider naming additional schools on their Common Application Form. Given the level of competition, early engagement with the admissions process and realistic school choices are essential. The school does not publish a specific last distance offered, but the high subscription rate indicates that many families living close to the school are unsuccessful.

Kingswood Primary School offers a strong, inclusive education within a supportive federation framework. Its results are well above national averages, its curriculum is thoughtfully designed, and its commitment to removing barriers for every child is genuine and practical. The split-site arrangement may not suit all families, but it provides distinct, age-appropriate spaces and has not hindered the school's cohesion or performance. Staff are dedicated, pupils are happy and focused, and leadership is stable and collaborative. The school's status as the flagship of a National Teaching School network brings tangible benefits in terms of professional development, shared resources and innovation. For families who can secure a place, Kingswood represents a nurturing, ambitious and well-led primary education in West Norwood. However, admissions are fiercely competitive, and proximity to the school is critical. Parents should approach the application process with care, seek advice from Lambeth's admissions team, and plan for realistic alternatives. Kingswood is a good school doing good work for its community, with strong results, a clear ethos and a team that genuinely goes the extra mile.

Is Kingswood Primary School a good school?

Yes. Kingswood Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted across all areas and achieves results well above national averages. In 2024, 80% of Year 6 pupils reached expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally, and 19% achieved the higher standard against 8% nationally. The school is the flagship of the Gipsy Hill Federation, a National Teaching School, and benefits from strong leadership, inclusive values and a carefully designed curriculum. Inspectors commend the quality of education, behaviour, personal development and early years provision. Parents and pupils report a warm, creative community where staff are dedicated and every child is supported to reach their potential.

How do I apply to Kingswood Primary School?

Applications for Reception places at Kingswood Primary School are made through Lambeth Council's Common Application Form, available online via the Lambeth admissions portal. The deadline for September 2025 entry is typically mid-January 2025, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2025. As a community school, Kingswood follows Lambeth's distance-based admissions criteria, giving priority to children in care, those with exceptional medical or social need, and then by straight-line distance from home to school. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 126 applications for 28 places in the most recent cycle. Parents should list up to six schools on their application, rank them honestly, and consult Lambeth's admissions brochure and catchment maps. For advice and support, contact Lambeth's School Admissions team at admissions@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 9503.

What is the catchment area for Kingswood Primary School?

Kingswood Primary School does not have a fixed catchment area; admissions are determined by straight-line distance from the child's home to the school. The furthest distance offered varies year-on-year depending on the number and location of applicants. Given the school's oversubscription ratio of 4.5 to 1, places are typically limited to families living very close to the Gipsy Road sites. Lambeth Council publishes interactive maps and historical distance data on its admissions pages, which can help parents gauge their likelihood of success. Families should not assume proximity guarantees a place and are strongly advised to include alternative schools on their application form.

What are the school's strengths?

Kingswood's key strengths include consistently strong academic results well above national averages, a robust inclusion ethos that removes barriers for all pupils, and membership in the Gipsy Hill Federation, which provides access to shared expertise and resources as a National Teaching School. The school excels in reading, writing, maths and science, with 19% of pupils achieving higher standards across core subjects. Extracurricular provision is extensive, particularly in swimming, and the split-site model offers distinct, age-appropriate environments. Staff are dedicated and experienced, leadership is stable under headteacher Kelly Foster, and the curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge progressively. Pupils are happy, focused and well-behaved, and inspectors consistently praise the quality of education and personal development.

Does Kingswood Primary School have a nursery?

Yes. Kingswood Primary School offers nursery provision for children aged 3 and above. The nursery is located on the Lower Site at Gipsy Road and provides early years education within the school's inclusive, supportive framework. Places are limited and admissions are managed separately from Reception entry; parents should contact the school directly for information on nursery availability, session times and application procedures. The early years provision was rated Good by Ofsted in October 2024, with inspectors noting strong teaching, effective safeguarding and a curriculum that prepares children well for Reception.

What is Kingswood Primary School's Ofsted rating?

Kingswood Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted. The most recent inspection took place on 1 and 2 October 2024, with the report published in November 2024. All five inspected areas—quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision—were rated Good. The school has a strong inspection history, with Good ratings in 2019 and 2006, and Outstanding ratings in 2013 and 2009. From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement for state-funded schools, but the individual category ratings provide a clear picture of the school's consistent performance across all aspects of education and care.