St Helen's Catholic Primary School, Brixton Review 2026: Strong Academic Performance in the Heart of Brixton

St Helen's Catholic Primary School in Brixton stands as a one-form-entry voluntary aided primary school serving pupils aged 3 to 11, where the Catholic ethos permeates every aspect of school life. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024, the school sits in a residential area of Brixton, offering nursery provision alongside mainstream primary education. With 88% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics compared to the national average of 62%, St Helen's places 14th in Lambeth and achieves a ranking within the top 13% of primary schools in England. The school's motto, "Belong, Believe, Achieve," reflects its commitment to high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, within a welcoming and inclusive environment.

St Helen's Catholic Primary School operates under the Archdiocese of Southwark, maintaining a strong Catholic identity that shapes daily life. The school articulates a clear belief that "nothing but the best is good enough for the pupils," an aspiration noted in its March 2023 Section 48 Religious Education inspection. Under the leadership of headteacher Mr Adrian Le Cuirot, who joined in February 2021, the school emphasises Gospel values and describes itself as "a happy, enthusiastic and energetic community of learners."

The school serves a diverse community in the heart of Brixton, with 96% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and 44% eligible for free school meals. Despite many families travelling from across the area to join the school community, St Helen's maintains an intimate feel as a single-form-entry primary. The faith dimension extends beyond formal religious education; inspectors in 2023 observed how the Catholic ethos influences relationships, behaviour expectations, and the nurturing environment provided for pupils developing their individual talents.

Parents describe the school as welcoming and cohesive, with staff fostering strong relationships across the diverse intake. The combination of high academic expectations and pastoral care creates an atmosphere where pupils are encouraged to flourish academically while developing their character within a framework of Christian values. The school celebrates equality and diversity, positioning itself as an inclusive community rooted in Catholic tradition.

St Helen's Catholic Primary School delivers strong academic outcomes that place it well above national averages across key metrics. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the national average of 62%. The school's performance is particularly impressive in reading and grammar, where scaled scores of 108 and 110 respectively demonstrate consistent strength in literacy development.

Breaking down the results further, 94% of pupils met the expected standard in reading and 90% in mathematics, with 96% achieving the expected level in grammar, punctuation and spelling. At the higher standard, 24% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, three times the national average of 8%. Individual subject performance shows 35% of pupils achieving the high score in reading and 48% in grammar, indicating strong foundations in literacy skills.

The school's approach to curriculum delivery emphasises breadth alongside academic rigour. Ofsted inspectors in July 2024 noted that "pupils live up to high expectations and achieve highly in English and Mathematics" and found that "by the time they leave the school, they are well prepared for secondary education." Subject coverage spans the full national curriculum, including early years provision through Year 6, with dedicated teaching in English, mathematics, science, religious education, languages, arts, physical education and computing.

Support for pupils with special educational needs receives deliberate attention. The school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Ms Carney, leads provision for pupils requiring additional help, and inspectors observed that "across the school there are high aspirations for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities." This inclusive approach ensures that vulnerable learners access the same challenging curriculum as their peers, with appropriate scaffolding and intervention.

With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 20.4 (265 pupils, 13 teachers), class sizes remain manageable for focused instruction. The school employs 11.4 full-time equivalent teaching assistants, providing additional adult support across the year groups. Leadership and management were rated Good in the school's 2014 full inspection, and the 2024 short inspection found no concerns requiring a full reassessment, suggesting sustained effective governance and strategic direction.

St Helen's Catholic Primary School is significantly oversubscribed, with 46 applications competing for 22 Reception places in recent admissions rounds, creating a subscription ratio of 2.09. Every first preference applicant who received an offer had listed St Helen's as their first choice, indicating that the school meets all its places from families prioritising it above alternatives. This level of demand reflects both the school's academic reputation and its role as a Catholic option in an area with limited faith school provision.

As a voluntary aided Catholic school, St Helen's sets its own admissions criteria as the admissions authority, separate from Lambeth's coordinated scheme for community schools. Parents must apply directly to the school using its own application form, typically available from the school office or website. While Lambeth Council coordinates offers through the national admissions process, the school's governing body determines which applicants meet its published criteria and in what priority order.

Catholic schools typically structure their admissions around faith criteria, giving priority to baptised Catholic children, often with additional tiers for practising families, siblings, and children of other Christian denominations or faiths. Distance from the school frequently operates as a final tiebreaker within each category, though no published data indicates the furthest distance offered in recent years. Families considering St Helen's should consult the school's admissions policy directly, as criteria may include evidence of baptism, Mass attendance, or priest references depending on the specific arrangements.

The application timeline follows Lambeth's coordinated primary admissions calendar. For September 2026 entry, parents must submit applications by the national deadline in mid-January 2026, with offers made on National Offer Day in mid-April 2026. Parents should note that submitting the Lambeth common application form is insufficient for Catholic school applications; a separate supplementary form (and often supporting documents) must be submitted directly to St Helen's by the school's own deadline, which may differ from the local authority date.

Competition for places remains intense given the single-form intake against demand from Catholic families across South London. Parents are advised to consider backup options and to understand the specific faith criteria that will determine their child's priority. Living close to the school offers no advantage unless applicants also meet the faith-based criteria that rank ahead of distance. The school's location in Brixton means families travel from across Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs, creating a scattered catchment rather than a tight geographical zone.

For Catholic families seeking a high-performing, inclusive primary education in South London, St Helen's Catholic Primary School offers a compelling combination of academic excellence and values-led community. The school's results speak clearly: pupils here achieve well above national standards in literacy and numeracy, with strong foundations established for secondary transition. The July 2024 Ofsted judgment of Good, alongside specific praise for high achievement in English and mathematics, confirms that teaching quality and leadership remain effective.

The Catholic ethos provides more than a label; it shapes the school's identity, relationships and expectations. For families who value faith formation alongside academic progress, St Helen's delivers both without compromise. The diverse intake (96% from ethnic minority backgrounds, 44% eligible for free school meals) creates a genuinely inclusive community where different backgrounds unite around shared values and high aspirations.

Challenges are evident in the admissions pressure. With more than two applicants per place, securing entry requires careful attention to the school's faith-based criteria and submission of all necessary documentation to the school directly. Parents should not assume that proximity alone will secure a place, as Catholic admissions policies typically prioritise faith commitment over geography. Those outside the Catholic community may find alternative mainstream primaries in Lambeth more accessible, though St Helen's inclusive approach welcomes families of all backgrounds who support its ethos.

The school's small size (one form entry, around 260 pupils) offers advantages in community cohesion and pastoral care, though it means limited flexibility for friendship groups and fewer opportunities for streaming or setting by ability. Parents seeking a larger environment with multiple classes per year group should look elsewhere, but those who value the intimacy and family feel of a smaller school will find St Helen's an excellent fit.

In summary, St Helen's Catholic Primary School succeeds in its mission to combine strong Catholic values with high academic standards. The results demonstrate that high expectations translate into tangible outcomes, while inspection evidence confirms effective teaching and inclusive support for all learners. For families able to navigate the competitive admissions process and who share the school's faith foundation, this Brixton primary offers an education grounded in community, belief and achievement.

Is St Helen's Catholic Primary School a good school?

Yes. St Helen's Catholic Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (July 2024) and delivers academic results well above national averages. The school achieves 88% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics compared to the national average of 62%, placing it in the top 13% of primary schools in England. Inspectors noted that pupils "achieve highly in English and Mathematics" and are "well prepared for secondary education."

How do I apply to St Helen's Catholic Primary School?

St Helen's is a voluntary aided Catholic school that acts as its own admissions authority. Parents must apply directly to the school using its own application form (available from the school office or website), in addition to completing the Lambeth common application form by the national deadline in mid-January for September entry. As a Catholic school, admissions criteria typically prioritise baptised Catholic children and practising families, often requiring supporting documents such as baptism certificates and priest references. Contact the school directly for their specific admissions policy and supplementary form.

What is the catchment area for St Helen's Catholic Primary School?

St Helen's does not operate a traditional distance-based catchment area. As a Catholic school, admissions are determined primarily by faith criteria rather than proximity to the school. Families travel from across Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs to attend, creating a scattered geographic spread rather than a defined catchment zone. Distance may operate as a tiebreaker within faith categories, but meeting the school's religious criteria is the primary determinant of admission priority.

What are the school's results like?

St Helen's achieves strong results across all key measures. In recent Key Stage 2 assessments: 88% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined (national average: 62%); 94% met expectations in reading; 90% in mathematics; and 96% in grammar, punctuation and spelling. At the higher standard, 24% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, three times the national average of 8%. The school ranks 14th in Lambeth and in the top 13% nationally for primary performance.

Does St Helen's Catholic Primary School have a sixth form?

No. St Helen's is a primary school serving pupils aged 3 to 11 (nursery through Year 6). Pupils transfer to secondary school at age 11. The school prepares pupils well for this transition, with Ofsted noting that "by the time they leave the school, they are well prepared for secondary education."

What is the school's religious character?

St Helen's is a Catholic voluntary aided school within the Archdiocese of Southwark. The Catholic ethos is central to school life, with the March 2023 Section 48 Religious Education inspection noting that "the Catholic ethos permeates every aspect of school life." While the school welcomes families of all backgrounds who support its ethos, admissions criteria typically prioritise Catholic families, and religious education and worship form an integral part of the curriculum.