Richard Atkins Primary School is a one-form entry state community primary serving children aged 3 to 11 in the heart of Brixton, Lambeth. The school defines itself through six core values—Excellence, Integrity, Growth, Empowerment, Curiosity, and Courage—which underpin a purposeful, inclusive approach designed to help every pupil "grasp life's opportunities and exceed their potential." Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2022, Richard Atkins sits on New Park Road, within walking distance of Brixton Hill, and serves a diverse local community. With nursery provision for three-year-olds, a specialist SEN resource base known as The Bubble, and a small roll of around 342 places, the school positions itself as a warm, vibrant hub where "every child matters, every child belongs, and every child is empowered to succeed." Results show attainment broadly in line with national averages in reading, writing and maths, with notable strengths in science. Admission is coordinated by Lambeth, and the school is consistently oversubscribed, with recent data indicating over three applications for every Reception place.
Richard Atkins Primary describes its mission as equipping children with the skills and confidence to "aim high, dream big, and become the very best version of themselves." The school's philosophy centres on six guiding values—Excellence, Integrity, Growth, Empowerment, Curiosity, and Courage—which are woven through the curriculum, assemblies, and daily interactions. The headteacher, Nadia McIntosh, leads a team committed to creating a supportive, high-expectation environment where children's individual strengths are recognised and nurtured "from music to martial arts."
The school's community character is evident in its partnerships: it is part of the Windmill Cluster, works with the Lambeth Music Service, and offers parent tours on the second Wednesday of every month. Parents describe the school as inclusive and welcoming, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care. Ofsted noted in 2022 that pupils are polite, respectful, and have positive attitudes to learning, with bullying rare and swiftly addressed. The inspectors highlighted the school's effective work with disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, ensuring they make good progress through rapid intervention.
The Bubble, the school's dedicated SEN resource base, reflects Richard Atkins' commitment to inclusion and tailored support. Staff foster an atmosphere where differences are celebrated, and pupils are taught to be safe, respectful, and kind. Visitors report a calm, purposeful climate where children are eager to participate and take pride in their school.
Richard Atkins follows the National Curriculum, with children in Nursery and Reception working within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Teachers plan engaging lessons that make good use of the outdoor environment, particularly in Early Years. The school's curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, with literacy and numeracy at its core, alongside strong provision in science, humanities, and the arts.
In the most recent Key Stage 2 results, 68% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. Performance in individual subjects was similarly solid: 77% met the expected standard in reading and maths, 51% in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and an impressive 86% in science (compared to the national average of 82%). Average scaled scores were 104 in reading, 103 in maths, and 102 in GPS—all slightly above the national benchmark of 100. However, higher attainment remains a development priority, with 7% achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, just below the national figure of 8%. Ofsted previously identified that work for higher-ability pupils, especially in maths, is not always sufficiently challenging.
Richard Atkins ranks 11,521st nationally out of approximately 15,000 primary schools, placing it below the median nationally but reflecting the challenges of educating a diverse intake in an urban setting. Within Lambeth, it stands 49th out of around 80 primary schools. The school's Progress 8 equivalent is not published, but inspection evidence suggests pupils make good progress from their starting points.
Teaching is described as purposeful and well-structured, with teachers using assessment to adapt lessons and provide targeted intervention. The school offers a range of additional support for pupils who need it, including booster groups, one-to-one tuition, and specialist help via The Bubble. Parents report that staff are responsive, approachable, and committed to ensuring no child is left behind.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
67.67%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Beyond the classroom, Richard Atkins offers a broad enrichment programme. Extracurricular clubs include singing, music, art, chess, cricket, football, and mathematics, with most pupils participating in at least one club each term. These activities are designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of achievement. The school emphasises student voice and leadership: pupils can join the School Council or take on roles as Young Leaders, helping to shape school life and develop responsibility.
Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.35am, providing a Healthy Start for children from Reception to Year 6, while the After School Club extends until 6pm, Monday to Friday. Both are run by external providers and offer working parents flexibility and children additional enrichment. Clubs typically operate from 3.30pm to 4.45pm and are offered each half term, with letters sent home inviting applications.
The school's physical environment includes classrooms designed for small-group work, outdoor spaces that are well used in Early Years, and specialist areas for The Bubble. While the site is compact, Ofsted noted that staff make excellent use of outdoor learning, particularly for younger children. The school's location in the Brixton Hill area offers proximity to parks, libraries, and cultural venues, enriching opportunities for educational visits.
Pupils are taught about staying safe—including online safety—and about diversity, tolerance, and British values. Behaviour is generally good, with clear routines and high expectations reinforced consistently. The school's values underpin everything from assemblies to playground interactions, creating a cohesive, caring community.
Richard Atkins Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting children with a range of special educational needs through The Bubble, its dedicated resource base. The school's approach is underpinned by its core value of Empowerment, ensuring that every child, regardless of need, is supported to succeed.
The school employs a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and a team of teaching assistants trained to deliver targeted interventions. Ofsted noted in 2022 that rapid intervention for disabled pupils and those with SEND means they make good progress. Support is tailored to individual needs, with close liaison between class teachers, the SENCo, and external specialists where appropriate.
Parents of children with additional needs report that staff are responsive, collaborative, and willing to adapt provision. The school works closely with families and external agencies, including speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, and occupational therapists, to ensure a holistic approach.
Admissions to Richard Atkins Primary are managed by Lambeth Council under the Pan-London coordinated scheme. For September 2025 entry, the application window opened on 1 September 2024 and closed on 15 January 2025, with offers made on 16 April 2025. Parents apply online via Lambeth's eAdmissions portal and may express up to six preferences, more than in many other boroughs.
The school has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 18 for Reception. Recent data shows the school received 57 applications for 18 places, making it oversubscribed by a factor of 3.17. All 18 offers were made to families who named Richard Atkins as their first preference, indicating strong local demand and tight catchment distances. Lambeth does not publish precise last-distance-offered figures, but given the level of competition, parents should expect catchment radii to be short—likely under half a mile in most years.
Richard Atkins does not have a fixed catchment area. Instead, Lambeth operates a distance-based system for most community schools, prioritising siblings and then children living closest to the school (measured by straight-line distance from home to school gate). There are no faith criteria, and the school is mixed and non-selective.
Parents considering Richard Atkins should apply as early as possible, rank the school highly on their preference form, and be realistic about distance. Families living in the immediate Brixton Hill, Clapham Park, and surrounding streets have historically had the strongest chance of securing a place. Those living further afield may wish to consider other nearby primaries or appeal if unsuccessful. Lambeth's School Admissions Team can be reached on 020 7926 9503 or via www.lambeth.gov.uk/eadmissions for queries.
Applications
57
Total received
Places Offered
18
Subscription Rate
3.2x
Apps per place
Richard Atkins Primary School is a values-driven, inclusive community school serving the heart of Brixton. It offers a broad curriculum, strong pastoral support, and a genuine commitment to ensuring every child—regardless of background or need—has the opportunity to thrive. Results are solid and improving, particularly in science, and the school's work with SEND pupils is a notable strength. While higher attainment remains an area for development, the direction of travel is positive, and the school's clear moral purpose gives it a distinct identity.
For families living within a short walk of New Park Road who value community, inclusion, and a nurturing environment, Richard Atkins is worth serious consideration. Admission is competitive, so proximity and timing are crucial. The school's small size means children are known as individuals, and the emphasis on student voice, leadership, and extracurricular breadth adds richness to daily life. It is not a hothoused, high-pressure environment, but a place where children are encouraged to aim high, discover their strengths, and grow in confidence.
A: Yes. Ofsted rated Richard Atkins Good in July 2022, commending its inclusive ethos, strong pastoral care, and effective support for SEND pupils. Results are broadly in line with or above national averages, and the school's values-led approach creates a purposeful, caring environment where most children make good progress.
A: Applications are made via Lambeth Council's eAdmissions portal. For Reception entry, the application window typically opens on 1 September and closes on 15 January, with offers made on 16 April. You may list up to six preferences. Admission is determined by sibling priority, then distance from home to school. Contact Lambeth School Admissions on 020 7926 9503 for guidance.
A: There is no fixed catchment. Lambeth prioritises siblings, then proximity. With a subscription rate of over 3:1, successful applicants typically live very close to the school—often within a few hundred metres. Check recent intake data via Lambeth Council for the most current guidance.
A: Yes. The school offers nursery provision for children aged 3 to 4, with 26 full-time equivalent places. Nursery admissions are managed by the school directly; contact the school office on 020 8674 5601 or admin@richardatkins.org for details.
A: The school offers a wide range of after-school clubs, including singing, music, art, chess, cricket, football, and maths. Most pupils participate in at least one club per term. Breakfast Club and After School Club are also available for wraparound care.
A: Richard Atkins operates The Bubble, a dedicated SEN resource base, and employs a SENCo and specialist teaching assistants. The school supports children with learning differences (dyslexia, dyscalculia), social/emotional needs (autism, ADHD, anxiety), and physical/sensory needs. Ofsted praised rapid intervention and strong progress for SEND pupils.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
