St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London Review 2026: Faith-Rooted Community Hub in Kennington

Occupying a modern building on Durham Street, St Anne's Catholic Primary School opened in its current form in 1997, replacing the original 1892 Victorian school that once stood on Kennington Lane. Founded by Reverend William Brown with a bequest from parishioner Emily King, the school's 130-year heritage as part of the Archdiocese of Southwark remains visible in its daily commitment to placing Christ at the centre of learning. With 208 pupils aged 3 to 11, the school serves the neighbourhoods between The Oval and Vauxhall as a two-form entry Catholic primary. Headteacher Peter Hilton, who joined in September 2023, leads a vibrant, multicultural community guided by the motto "Let the light of Christ shine in our school." Most recent results show 70% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, sitting in line with national performance levels. The school holds a 'Requires Improvement' Ofsted rating, though the last full inspection took place in May 2018 when it was graded 'Good.'

The school's identity is deeply rooted in its Catholic faith and parish connection. Four core values—Love, Courage, Unity, and Creativity—underpin character education, and the partnership between school, home, and church is central to the mission. The community is notably multicultural and multi-faith, reflecting the diversity of Lambeth's neighbourhoods south of the Thames. Pupils attend chapel services and participate in liturgical celebrations throughout the year, including carol services and seasonal pantomimes that bring families together.

Emily King's 1892 bequest of £4,350 laid the foundation for the original school on Kennington Lane. Over a century later, the purchase of a former bus garage site on Durham Street enabled the construction of the current building, which opened in 1997. The school has since expanded with two additional classrooms and a first-floor extension above Key Stage 1 that now houses the Inclusion Suite. This investment in specialist space signals the school's evolving focus on tailored support for pupils with additional needs. The atmosphere is described as happy and purposeful, with staff maintaining high expectations for behaviour and pupils showing positive attitudes in lessons.

In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, St Anne's achieved results in line with national averages. 70% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the England average of 62%. In individual subjects, 72% reached the expected standard in reading (scaled score 104), 78% in maths (scaled score 104), and 83% in grammar, punctuation and spelling (scaled score 107). Science results were strong, with 81% achieving the expected standard, matching the national benchmark of 82%.

Higher attainment rates lag slightly behind the national picture. 18% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, more than double the England average of 8%. However, only 3% achieved greater depth in writing, a figure below typical expectations. In reading and maths, 22% and 28% respectively scored at the higher standard. The school ranks 7,499th in England for primary performance, placing it around the national median (49th percentile). Locally within Lambeth, it ranks 39th out of the borough's primary schools.

The school introduced a consistent phonics programme in recent years to address earlier weaknesses in early reading. While the structure is now in place, staff knowledge and delivery remain inconsistent, affecting reading fluency for some pupils. The broader curriculum is sequenced to introduce key knowledge and skills progressively, though delivery is not yet consistently strong across all subjects. Pupil behaviour is described as good, with purposeful learning environments and staff managing classrooms effectively.

The Durham Street site includes the main school building and the more recent first-floor Inclusion Suite, providing dedicated space for pupils requiring additional support. Outdoor provision is typical for an inner-city primary, with a playground serving both break times and physical education activities. Year 3 pupils have regular swimming sessions, and Year 4 engages in oval-based sports activities as part of the PE curriculum.

Extracurricular life is woven into the school calendar, with Stay and Play sessions for prospective families offering early engagement opportunities. The school's multicultural character is celebrated through assemblies, performances, and liturgical events. While detailed information on clubs and enrichment programmes is not widely published, the school's location between The Oval cricket ground and Vauxhall offers proximity to sporting and cultural landmarks in central London.

Admissions to St Anne's are highly competitive. For Reception entry, the school received 30 applications for just 8 places, resulting in a subscription rate of 3.75:1. All first-preference families who were offered places received them, but the overwhelming majority of applicants were unsuccessful. The school is formally designated as oversubscribed. As a voluntary aided Catholic primary, St Anne's sets its own admissions policy, which typically prioritises baptised Catholic children, children of other Christian denominations, and children of other faiths or no faith, in that order. Sibling priority and distance criteria often apply within each category.

No published distance data is available for the furthest offer, but given the small intake and high demand, the effective catchment is likely to be tight, favouring families very close to the school and those with strong parish links. Parents seeking a Catholic education in Kennington, Vauxhall, or the northern edges of Lambeth should make direct contact with the school well in advance and engage with the parish of St Anne's to strengthen their application. Visiting the school during open mornings—scheduled each autumn—is strongly recommended.

St Anne's Catholic Primary School offers a warm, faith-centred environment for families seeking a Catholic education in inner London. Its heritage stretching back to 1892, combined with a modern building and recent investment in specialist provision, provides both continuity and adaptability. Results are in line with national averages, and the school serves its diverse community with a clear commitment to love, courage, unity, and creativity.

However, parents should note the 'Requires Improvement' Ofsted designation and the ongoing work to embed consistent teaching across all subjects, particularly in phonics and early reading. Headteacher Peter Hilton's arrival in 2023 brings fresh leadership at a time when the school is strengthening its curriculum and pedagogy. For families with a strong connection to the Catholic faith and proximity to Durham Street, St Anne's offers a community-rooted, values-driven start to primary education. Those seeking academic stretch or outstanding performance ratings may wish to explore other options in the borough. Admissions are fiercely competitive, and early engagement with both school and parish is essential.

Is St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London a good school?

St Anne's is a Catholic primary school with results in line with national averages and a strong faith ethos. It currently holds a 'Requires Improvement' Ofsted rating from an inspection framework prior to 2024. The school ranks around the national median for primary performance and serves its local community well. Families seeking a values-driven, multicultural Catholic education will find much to appreciate, though the school is working to improve consistency in teaching and curriculum delivery.

How do I apply to St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London?

Applications for Reception places are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions process, typically in the autumn term before your child's fourth birthday. As a voluntary aided school, St Anne's sets its own admissions criteria, prioritising Catholic families and those with parish connections. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with a recent subscription rate of 3.75:1. Visit www.st-annes.lambeth.sch.uk for full admissions details and attend an open morning to understand the school's ethos and requirements.

What is the catchment area for St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London?

The school does not operate a fixed geographic catchment. As a Catholic voluntary aided school, priority is given based on faith criteria, sibling status, and proximity to the school within each category. Given the oversubscription rate, most successful applicants live very close to Durham Street and have strong links to St Anne's parish. Contact the school directly for recent offer patterns and advice on maximising your application.

What age range does St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London teach?

St Anne's teaches pupils from age 3 (nursery provision) through to age 11 (Year 6). It is a two-form entry primary school with a capacity of 210 pupils.

Who is the headteacher of St Anne's Catholic Primary School, London?

Peter Hilton has been headteacher since September 2023. He joined from Millbrook School and succeeded former headteacher Sebrina Dawes.

What are the school's core values?

St Anne's is guided by four core values: Love, Courage, Unity, and Creativity. The school motto is "Let the light of Christ shine in our school," and the Catholic faith is central to daily life and learning.