Larkhall Primary Campus Review 2026: Inclusive Community School with Specialist Autism Provision

Larkhall Primary Campus in Clapham serves children aged 2 to 11 in a culturally diverse setting within Lambeth, London. The school is notable for housing Woodlark House, a specialist resource base providing bespoke education for 44 autistic children from across the borough, alongside its mainstream primary provision serving approximately 331 pupils. Rated Good by Ofsted in 2023, the school operates from nursery through Year 6 and emphasizes high standards for work and behaviour, with a strong focus on children's happiness, mental wellbeing, and joy of learning. Larkhall Primary Campus operates as a community school with no religious character, welcoming both boys and girls.

Larkhall Primary Campus sits on the Stockwell-Clapham border and establishes itself as a welcoming community school where relationships and respect form the foundation of daily life. Staff members are addressed by first names, including the headteacher, creating an informal and accessible environment. The school's central philosophy places a child's happiness, interest, and mental wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum.

The school's mission emphasizes that children should be empowered, enabled, and treasured as independent and autonomous individuals. This ethos manifests in a curriculum designed to build curiosity and critical thinking, delivered by teaching specialists who aim to make learning both progressive and exciting. The campus serves a notably diverse population, reflecting the multicultural character of inner-south London.

Beyond the mainstream school, Larkhall operates a Family Centre established in September 2011, offering support to parents with children aged 0 to 5. Early years provision includes Little Larks, a two-year-old nursery, and Larks for three- and four-year-olds. The extensive campus grounds provide physical space for children to run, play, and enjoy outdoor freedom, a valuable asset in an urban setting. The school's commitment to inclusion is evident in its dual provision model, integrating specialist autism education within a mainstream primary campus.

Larkhall Primary Campus delivers results broadly in line with national expectations. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, slightly above the national average of 62%. The school's performance shows particular strength in reading, where 71% of pupils met the expected standard and 32% achieved higher scores, with an average scaled score of 107. In mathematics, 62% reached the expected level with an average scaled score of 106, while grammar, punctuation, and spelling showed 65% at the expected standard with an average scaled score of 106.

The school demonstrates above-average performance in high attainment outcomes. Nearly 25% of pupils achieved the higher standard across reading, writing, and mathematics, significantly exceeding the national figure of 8%. Writing at greater depth was achieved by 18% of pupils. These outcomes place Larkhall 30th among primary schools in Lambeth and around the middle of the national performance distribution.

The 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Good ratings across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Inspectors identified particular strengths in admissions, attendance, support for disadvantaged pupils, and pupil progress. The school's approach to curriculum delivery focuses on specialist teaching and building foundational skills in core subjects alongside a broad curriculum encompassing Personal Character development, English, mathematics, science, the arts, and physical education.

The specialist autism provision at Woodlark House delivers tailored education focused on academic achievement alongside developing communication and social skills. This resource base serves children from across Lambeth with places for 44 pupils. The mainstream school benefits from an excellent pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1, allowing for smaller class sizes and more individualized attention. The school also maintains a high assistant-to-teacher ratio of about 1:1, providing substantial classroom support.

Breakfast Club and After School Club provide wrap-around care, while enrichment activities and school trips emphasize outdoor learning. The school also participates in oral health programs, reflecting attention to broader child development and wellbeing.

Larkhall Primary Campus is maintained by the London Borough of Lambeth and follows the local authority's community school admissions policy. The school offers 21 Reception places each year and faces significant demand. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 58 applications for its 21 places, representing an oversubscription ratio of 2.76 to 1. All first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, indicating that distance remains the decisive factor after higher-priority criteria are applied.

Lambeth operates a six-preference system for primary applications. The admissions criteria follow a standard hierarchy: looked-after children receive highest priority, followed by siblings, children with exceptional medical or social needs, children of staff at the school, and finally distance. Within each category, proximity to the school serves as a tiebreaker, measured by straight-line distance from home to school. Most primary schools in Lambeth do not have fixed catchment boundaries; instead, the effective catchment area forms a circle whose radius fluctuates annually depending on demand and the distribution of applicants meeting higher-priority criteria.

Larkhall's oversubscribed status means families living closest to the school on Smedley Street have the strongest prospects of securing a place after sibling and other priority applicants. The catchment radius can vary from year to year based on application patterns. Prospective parents should consult Lambeth Council's annual admissions data, published after each round, to understand the furthest distance offered. Applications for Reception entry typically open in the autumn term for the following September, with National Offer Day in mid-April.

Nursery provision is available from age two, and while nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, many families use Larkhall's early years settings to familiarize themselves with the school community. Admissions guidance for the 2025–26 academic year is available on Lambeth Council's admissions website, and parents are advised to check directly with the council for the most current information about application timelines and distance thresholds.

Larkhall Primary Campus stands out for its dual commitment to mainstream and specialist education, housing a well-regarded autism resource base alongside a welcoming primary school. The school's ethos of respect, empowerment, and wellbeing creates an informal yet structured environment where children are encouraged to develop curiosity and independence. Academic outcomes are solid, meeting or exceeding national benchmarks in most areas, with particularly strong performance at the higher attainment levels.

The campus offers practical advantages for families in the Clapham-Stockwell area, including generous outdoor space, strong staff-to-pupil ratios, and wrap-around care options. The school's culturally diverse intake and inclusive approach reflect the neighbourhood it serves. However, competition for places is intense, with nearly three applications for every Reception spot. Families should position Larkhall carefully within their six Lambeth preferences, considering their proximity to the school and the likelihood of meeting sibling or other priority criteria.

For parents seeking a Good-rated community primary with strong pastoral care, specialist autism provision, and solid academic foundations, Larkhall Primary Campus offers a balanced and inclusive option in inner south London. The school's focus on wellbeing and curriculum breadth, combined with its accessible leadership culture, make it well-suited to families who value community cohesion and individualized support.

Is Larkhall Primary Campus a good school?

Larkhall Primary Campus is rated Good by Ofsted as of June 2023, with Good grades across all inspection categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school delivers academic results in line with or above national averages, with 64% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics, and nearly 25% achieving the higher standard across these subjects. Particular strengths identified by Ofsted include admissions, attendance, support for disadvantaged pupils, and pupil progress. The school's inclusive ethos, specialist autism provision, and strong staff-to-pupil ratios contribute to a supportive learning environment.

How do I apply to Larkhall Primary Campus?

Applications to Larkhall Primary Campus are made through the London Borough of Lambeth's coordinated admissions process. For Reception entry, parents complete Lambeth's Common Application Form during the autumn term, listing up to six school preferences in order. The application deadline is typically mid-January, with offers made on National Offer Day in mid-April for a September start. Admissions follow a criteria hierarchy: looked-after children, siblings, children with exceptional medical or social needs, children of staff, and then distance. Distance is measured by straight-line from home to school and serves as the tiebreaker within each category. Nursery applications are handled separately and do not guarantee a Reception place. For current application guidance, timelines, and distance thresholds, visit the Lambeth Council admissions website or contact the school directly at 020 7622 3820 or admin@larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk.

What is the catchment area for Larkhall Primary Campus?

Larkhall Primary Campus does not have a fixed catchment boundary. Like most Lambeth primary schools, the effective catchment forms a variable radius around the school's Smedley Street location, changing annually based on application patterns and the number of higher-priority applicants (siblings, looked-after children, etc.). The school is significantly oversubscribed, receiving approximately 2.76 applications per place in recent admissions rounds. This means that distance from the school becomes decisive after priority criteria are satisfied. Lambeth publishes the furthest distance offered for each school after National Offer Day, which serves as a guide to future admissions. Families living in Clapham and Stockwell closest to the school have the strongest prospects, but the exact distance cutoff varies yearly. Parents should review Lambeth's historical admissions data and consider their proximity realistically when ranking preferences.

Does Larkhall Primary Campus have a nursery?

Yes, Larkhall Primary Campus offers early years provision from age two. Little Larks serves two-year-olds, while Larks caters to three- and four-year-olds. The school also incorporates nursery classes as part of its mainstream provision. A Family Centre, established in September 2011, provides additional support for parents with children aged 0 to 5. Nursery attendance does not automatically guarantee a Reception place, as Reception admissions are managed separately through Lambeth Council's coordinated process. However, attending the school's nursery allows families to become familiar with the school community and staff. Prospective parents should contact the school directly to inquire about nursery availability, application procedures, and eligibility for funded places.

What makes Larkhall Primary Campus different from other schools in Lambeth?

Larkhall Primary Campus distinguishes itself through its integrated specialist autism provision. The school houses Woodlark House, a resource base serving 44 autistic children from across Lambeth, delivering bespoke education focused on academic achievement alongside communication and social skills development. This specialist provision operates within a mainstream primary campus, fostering an inclusive environment. The school maintains an informal culture where staff, including the headteacher, are addressed by first names, promoting accessibility and strong relationships. Larkhall benefits from generous outdoor space on its campus grounds, a valuable asset in urban south London, and maintains excellent staff-to-pupil ratios of approximately 12:1, with a notably high assistant-to-teacher ratio providing substantial classroom support. The school's culturally diverse intake reflects the Stockwell-Clapham community, and its emphasis on wellbeing, mental health, and joy of learning underpins all curriculum delivery.