St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill Review 2026: A Community-Focused School with Strong Christian Values

St Jude's is a small Church of England primary school in Herne Hill, Lambeth, positioned opposite Brockwell Park and serving a diverse local community. Under the leadership of headteacher Mr Andrew Rojas (appointed May 2024), the school operates with a clear Christian ethos: "happy, inspired and loved." With capacity for 210 pupils but currently enrolling 159, the school offers one class per year group with an average class size of 23. The school's mission centers on "Learning in the footsteps of Jesus" with the motto "The sky is not the limit," preparing children for both present and future challenges. St Jude's holds accreditations from TfL Stars, London's Healthy Schools scheme, and maintains strong partnerships with St Matthews Church, Brixton, and Herne Hill Baptist Church. The school received a SIAMS inspection in July 2018, affirming its Christian character.

Parents should note that the school is voluntary aided, meaning the governing body manages admissions with faith-based criteria playing a central role. Most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2022) awarded Good across all main categories, though early years provision requires improvement. The school's location opposite Brockwell Park provides exceptional outdoor space for recreation and learning.

St Jude's exists to serve its community by providing education of the highest quality within a Christian framework of values and beliefs. The school's vision statement encapsulates this mission: children should be "happy, inspired and loved" as they learn in the footsteps of Jesus. This Christian foundation permeates daily life, from collective worship to curriculum design, creating an environment where faith and academic learning sit comfortably alongside one another.

The school's location opposite Brockwell Park in Herne Hill places it at the heart of a vibrant, diverse South London neighborhood. Strong connections with local churches—particularly St Matthews, Brixton, and Herne Hill Baptist Church—extend the school's reach beyond its physical boundaries. These partnerships inform the admissions policy and shape the school's identity as a faith community.

Ofsted inspectors in 2022 noted that "leaders create a nurturing environment, where children are happy and safe." Pupils enjoy learning and express pride in their school. Relationships between staff and pupils are described as positive and respectful, reflecting the school's emphasis on Christian values of compassion, respect, and service. The school's small size—159 pupils across seven year groups—allows staff to know every child individually, fostering a family atmosphere where each pupil's needs and achievements are recognized.

The school operates from 8:55am to 3:30pm daily, with wraparound care available through a breakfast club and the "Six O'clock Club" for after-school supervision. A Parent Teacher Association actively engages families, strengthening the home-school partnership that underpins the school's community focus.

St Jude's delivers a broad, balanced curriculum underpinned by engaging cross-curricular topics designed to build cultural capital and ensure learning sticks in pupils' long-term memory. From Reception through Year 6, children experience themes such as "The Circus is Coming to Town," "From Morse to Mobile," and "Chocoholics," which connect subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, PSHE, PE, Art, Design and Technology, Computing, and Spanish.

In Reception, children explore the world through the seven areas of learning: Communication and Language; Physical Development; Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; and Expressive Arts and Design. This foundation sets the stage for key stage one and two, where subject-specific teaching is woven into thematic units that promote deeper understanding and retention.

Most recent Key Stage 2 results show 76% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, well above the national average of 62%. In reading specifically, 94% of pupils met the expected standard, significantly exceeding the national benchmark. The school's average scaled scores—108 in reading, 106 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 105 in mathematics—demonstrate consistent performance across core subjects. High attainment is also strong: 41% of pupils achieved high scores across reading, mathematics, and grammar, substantially above national figures.

Ofsted rated the quality of education as Good in 2022, noting that pupils benefit from a well-structured curriculum and positive learning environment. However, early years provision was judged to require improvement, an area the school has been addressing under new leadership. The school's Results and Progress rankings place it 4,682nd nationally (31st percentile), reflecting in-line performance rather than exceptional outcomes, but the above-average attainment in reading and combined subjects suggests solid teaching and effective support for pupils.

The school's small class sizes (average 23 pupils per class) enable teachers to tailor instruction and provide targeted intervention where needed. The nurturing ethos supports pupils who require additional help, though specific SEN provision details are not publicly detailed. The school's faith-based approach to personal development emphasizes character education, resilience, and moral values, preparing children for the next stage of their educational journey.

St Jude's benefits from its prime location opposite Brockwell Park, one of South London's largest green spaces, offering pupils exceptional access to outdoor recreation and learning opportunities. The park serves as an extension of the school grounds, facilitating PE lessons, outdoor learning activities, and informal play during breaks.

The curriculum extends beyond academics to include creative arts, music, and sport, areas in which children are encouraged to flourish. While specific details of after-school clubs and extracurricular programs are not widely advertised, the school offers wraparound care through a breakfast club and the Six O'clock Club, providing supervised activities before and after the school day. These services support working families and extend opportunities for social interaction and enrichment.

The school holds multiple accreditations, including recognition from TfL Stars (reflecting a commitment to sustainable travel and road safety education) and membership in London's Healthy Schools scheme, which promotes physical activity, healthy eating, and emotional wellbeing. These frameworks shape the school's approach to holistic child development, integrating health and safety into everyday routines.

Religious education and collective worship are central to student life, with regular opportunities for children to engage with Christian teachings and practices. Links with local churches provide pupils with experience of worship beyond the school setting, reinforcing the faith dimension of the school's identity. Pupils are taught to value diversity and respect different perspectives, preparing them to live and work in a multicultural society.

St Jude's is a voluntary aided Church of England school, meaning the governing body sets admissions criteria rather than the local authority. Faith plays a significant role in securing a place. The school admits 30 pupils to Reception each year, but competition is intense: in the most recent admissions round, the school received 78 applications for 30 places, resulting in a subscription rate of 2.6 (more than 2.5 applicants per place). This makes St Jude's oversubscribed and highly competitive.

Admissions criteria prioritize children who worship regularly at the Church of St Matthews with St Jude's in the parish of Brixton, particularly those for whom St Jude's is the nearest Church of England school. Siblings of current pupils within this category receive additional priority. Further preference is given to children who worship regularly in neighboring Church of England parishes (again, where St Jude's is the nearest CE school), followed by children who attend other Christian churches affiliated with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and for whom St Jude's is the nearest Church of England school.

For 2025 admissions, offers were made to one sibling of a child already attending who worships at St Matthew's Church, two children who worship regularly at St Matthew's, and three children who worship regularly at Herne Hill Baptist Church or another CTBI-affiliated church. This pattern illustrates the importance of documented, regular church attendance. Applications for foundation places require a completed supplementary form and a supporting letter from a minister, providing evidence of worship history.

Looked after children and previously looked after children receive statutory priority, as with all maintained schools. Beyond faith and sibling criteria, distance from the school becomes relevant, though in practice few places are allocated purely on proximity given the level of competition and the school's faith-based admissions structure.

Parents considering St Jude's should be aware that faith commitment—demonstrated through regular attendance at a qualifying church—is essential for most applicants. The school is part of Lambeth's coordinated admissions scheme; parents apply via the local authority by the mid-January deadline for Reception entry the following September. National Offer Day falls in mid-April. The school offers tours for prospective families, and contacting the school office (020 7274 2883 or Admin@stjudeslambeth.org) is advisable to understand current admissions priorities and arrange a visit.

The school's location in Herne Hill, a well-connected area served by buses 3, 37, 196, 201, and 322, makes it accessible from several South London neighborhoods. However, given the oversubscription and faith-based criteria, living close by is no guarantee of a place without the required church connection.

St Jude's Church of England Primary School offers a warm, community-focused education grounded in Christian values. Its location opposite Brockwell Park and strong connections with local churches create a distinctive identity that appeals to families seeking a faith-based environment with a nurturing ethos. Academic results are solid, particularly in reading, with Key Stage 2 attainment in combined reading, writing, and mathematics well above national averages. The school's small size fosters close relationships between staff, pupils, and families, and the emphasis on "happy, inspired and loved" resonates through daily routines and classroom practice.

However, prospective parents must understand the competitive admissions landscape and the central role of church attendance in securing a place. With more than 2.5 applicants per place and faith criteria dominating offers, this is not a neighborhood school in the traditional sense. Families without an established connection to St Matthews, Brixton, or another qualifying church will find it difficult to gain entry. The school's Ofsted rating of Good (with early years requiring improvement) reflects steady rather than exceptional performance, and new leadership under Mr Rojas (appointed May 2024) may bring further development in coming years.

For families seeking a small, faith-centered primary with strong pastoral care, above-average literacy outcomes, and access to Brockwell Park's green space, St Jude's is an attractive option. For those prioritizing convenience, secular education, or guaranteed local access, other Lambeth primaries may be more suitable. The school's character is best understood through a visit; contact the school office to arrange a tour and discuss admissions criteria in detail.

Is St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill a good school?

St Jude's is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2022), with Good ratings for quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Early years provision requires improvement. Key Stage 2 results show 76% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, well above the national average of 62%. Reading attainment is particularly strong at 94%. The school offers a nurturing environment with a clear Christian ethos and benefits from its location opposite Brockwell Park. Small class sizes and a family atmosphere support pupils' academic and personal development.

How do I apply to St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill?

Applications are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions scheme for Reception entry. The application window typically opens in early autumn (September) for entry the following September, with a mid-January deadline. National Offer Day is in mid-April. Because St Jude's is a voluntary aided church school, faith-based criteria dominate admissions. Applicants for foundation places must complete a supplementary form and provide a minister's supporting letter evidencing regular worship at a qualifying church. Priority is given to children worshipping at St Matthews, Brixton, or other Church of England or CTBI-affiliated churches. Contact the school office on 020 7274 2883 or Admin@stjudeslambeth.org for details and to arrange a visit.

What is the catchment area for St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill?

St Jude's does not operate a traditional geographic catchment area. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, admissions are primarily faith-based. Priority is given to children who worship regularly at St Matthews Church, Brixton (the linked parish), or other qualifying Christian churches, and for whom St Jude's is the nearest Church of England school. Siblings of current pupils and looked after children also receive priority. Distance from the school is a tiebreaker within each criterion, but in practice most places are filled by applicants meeting faith-based criteria. The school received 78 applications for 30 Reception places in the most recent cycle, making it highly oversubscribed.

What are the school hours at St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill?

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Wraparound care is available through a breakfast club (starting before 8:55am) and the Six O'clock Club, which provides after-school supervision until 6:00pm. These services support working families and offer additional opportunities for social interaction and activities beyond the standard school day.

Does St Jude's Church of England Primary School, Herne Hill have good facilities?

St Jude's benefits from its location directly opposite Brockwell Park, one of South London's largest green spaces, providing exceptional access to outdoor recreation and learning opportunities. The school holds accreditations including TfL Stars and membership in London's Healthy Schools scheme, reflecting commitment to sustainable travel, road safety, and health promotion. Specific on-site facilities information is not widely detailed, but the school offers a broad curriculum including art, music, PE, and computing. The small size (159 pupils across seven year groups) means class sizes average 23, allowing for personalized attention and flexible use of available space.