St Mark's Church of England Primary School Review 2026: A Warm Church School with Outstanding Personal Development in Kennington

St Mark's Church of England Primary School sits in the heart of Kennington, a one-form-entry voluntary aided school where Christian values shape a welcoming, close-knit community serving children from age 3 to 11. The school earned 'Good' overall in its September 2019 Ofsted inspection, with 'Outstanding' recognition for personal development, reflecting its commitment to nurturing the whole child. Rated Good in its most recent ungraded inspection in November 2024, St Mark's serves 207 pupils across its nursery and primary years in a diverse urban setting near Oval and Vauxhall. With extensive outdoor facilities including an edible playground, wildlife garden, and pond, the school combines strong academic foundations with a rich pastoral ethos rooted in its Church of England character.

St Mark's traces its origins to the Kennington Oval National School, carrying forward a tradition of Christian education in central Lambeth. Today, the school places faith at the centre of daily life, fostering a warm, caring environment where children are encouraged to feel safe, valued, and able to thrive across all areas of development. The Christian ethos is not imposed but woven into the fabric of the school day, supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of pupils from diverse backgrounds who reflect the richness of the local area.

Under the leadership of headteacher Sola Ingram, who has led the school since December 2016, St Mark's has developed a reputation as a nurturing environment where pupils feel happy and secure. The school's commitment to inclusion and community cohesion is evident in its approach to celebrating difference while uniting families around shared values. Staff describe the school as maintaining a family feel despite its urban location, with strong links to St Mark's Church and the wider Oval Cluster of schools.

The most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 confirmed that the school has maintained its standards, while the 2019 inspection highlighted exceptional personal development provision, noting that pupils benefit from a broad range of opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, and character. This ethos of nurturing the whole child remains central to the school's identity.

St Mark's delivers solid academic outcomes that place it in line with national standards. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 76% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, notably above the national average of 62%. In science, 92% of pupils reached the expected standard, well above the national figure of 82%. These results position the school ranked 7,409th nationally and 38th within Lambeth, reflecting consistent performance across core subjects.

Drilling into individual subject performance, reading emerges as a particular strength: 77% of pupils met the expected standard, with 35% achieving high scores and an average scaled score of 107. Mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling both recorded average scaled scores of 104, with 73% and 62% of pupils respectively reaching expected standards. Writing saw 31% of pupils achieving greater depth. Approximately 30% of pupils achieved high standards across reading, writing and mathematics, considerably above the national average of 8%.

The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum encompassing English, mathematics, science, humanities, the arts, PE, PSHE, religious education, and music. Teachers plan lessons that build knowledge progressively, and staff work to ensure all pupils, regardless of starting point, can access learning. The school's early years provision was judged Good by Ofsted, with forest school-trained staff delivering a child-centred curriculum in nursery and reception classes. Outdoor learning features prominently, with children engaging in gardening and exploration through the edible playground and wildlife areas.

For pupils requiring additional support, the school provides interventions and works with families to address individual needs. While detailed SEN provision information is not extensively published, the school's inclusive ethos and Ofsted's recognition of strong personal development suggest a supportive environment for pupils with additional needs.

St Mark's benefits from extensive outdoor space, a notable asset for an inner-London primary. The site includes a large playground, ball court, wildlife garden with pond, and an edible playground where children grow produce and learn about food, sustainability, and the natural world. The outdoor area has been significantly developed in recent years, doubling in size with new all-weather surfacing and playground equipment designed to promote health, well-being, and active play.

Pupils participate in a range of clubs and extracurricular activities, supported by the school's links to the Oval Cluster and community partners. The school hosts parent workshops and low-cost family events, strengthening the connection between home and school. St Mark's has achieved recognition including Healthy Schools London Bronze and Eco Schools Silver, reflecting its commitment to holistic education and environmental responsibility.

The school operates a nursery (Cedar Class) and reception (Ebony Class), with separate admissions processes for each. Forest School provision is woven into early years practice, with staff using the outdoor environment to deliver hands-on, exploratory learning that complements indoor teaching. The school's diverse pupil body includes children from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere.

St Mark's is oversubscribed, with approximately 61 applications received for 30 available Reception places in the most recent admissions round, resulting in a subscription ratio of around 2:1. All families offered a place had named St Mark's as their first preference, indicating strong local demand for the school. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St Mark's sets its own admission arrangements, typically prioritising looked-after children, children with exceptional medical or social need, siblings, children of regular churchgoers, and other children by distance.

Admissions are coordinated through Lambeth Council, with applications made via the local authority's online system. Parents should consult the school's admissions policy and the Lambeth admissions booklet for specific criteria and deadlines. Nursery admissions are managed separately by the school, and securing a nursery place does not guarantee entry to reception. Families interested in St Mark's are encouraged to visit the school, attend open events, and consider the faith dimension of the school's ethos when deciding whether it is the right fit.

The school serves families in Kennington, Oval, and Vauxhall, with its central location and strong reputation making it a competitive choice in an area where good primary places are highly sought after. Parents should apply early and understand that proximity to the school and church attendance may influence the likelihood of securing a place.

St Mark's Church of England Primary School offers a warm, values-led primary education in the heart of Kennington. Families seeking a faith-based environment with a strong pastoral focus and solid academic results will find much to appreciate here. The school's greatest strength lies in its personal development provision, recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted, and its ability to create a nurturing, inclusive community where children from diverse backgrounds flourish together.

Academic outcomes are consistently above national averages, particularly in reading and science, while the extensive outdoor facilities and commitment to enrichment set the school apart from many inner-London primaries. The leadership of Sola Ingram has provided stability and a clear vision, maintaining the school's Good rating through successive inspections and embedding a culture of care and high expectations.

Parents should be aware that St Mark's is a popular, oversubscribed school with a Christian ethos that shapes daily life. While inclusive and welcoming to families of all faiths and none, the school's Church of England character is central to its identity. Securing a place requires careful attention to admissions criteria, and attending St Mark's Church or living very close to the school may strengthen an application.

For families in Kennington who value a small, community-focused primary with strong pastoral care, outstanding personal development opportunities, and above-average academic results, St Mark's represents an excellent choice. It is a school where children are known, valued, and supported to grow in confidence, knowledge, and character.

Is St Mark's Church of England Primary School a good school?

Yes. St Mark's was judged Good overall by Ofsted in 2019, with Outstanding recognition for personal development, and maintained these standards in its 2024 ungraded inspection. Academic results are above national averages, with 76% of pupils achieving expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined, and 92% meeting expectations in science. The school offers a nurturing, values-led environment with strong pastoral care and extensive outdoor facilities.

How do I apply to St Mark's Church of England Primary School?

Applications for Reception places are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions system, typically between September and mid-January for entry the following September. Visit the Lambeth Council website to apply online. St Mark's, as a voluntary aided school, sets its own admissions criteria, which typically prioritise looked-after children, those with exceptional need, siblings, children of regular churchgoers, and others by distance. Nursery admissions are managed separately by the school. Check the school's website for the full admissions policy and key dates.

What are the school's results like?

In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 76% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (national average: 62%), and 92% met expectations in science (national average: 82%). Around 30% of pupils achieved high standards across reading, writing and maths, considerably above the national average of 8%. The school ranks 7,409th nationally and 38th in Lambeth, placing it in line with national averages overall.

Is St Mark's a faith school?

Yes, St Mark's is a voluntary aided Church of England primary school. Christian values underpin the school's ethos, and links with St Mark's Church are strong. The school welcomes families of all faiths and none, but the faith dimension is central to daily life, collective worship, and the school's approach to personal development. Families considering the school should reflect on whether this ethos aligns with their values.

What are the outdoor facilities like?

St Mark's has extensive outdoor space, unusual for an inner-London school. Facilities include a large playground, ball court, wildlife garden with pond, and an edible playground where children grow produce and learn about sustainability. The outdoor area has been significantly developed in recent years, doubling in size with new all-weather surfacing and equipment to promote active play and well-being.

Does the school have a nursery?

Yes, St Mark's operates a nursery (Cedar Class) for 3-year-olds. Admissions to the nursery are managed separately by the school and do not guarantee progression to reception. The early years provision was judged Good by Ofsted and includes forest school-trained staff who deliver a child-centred curriculum with a strong outdoor learning component.

Who is the headteacher?

The headteacher is Sola Ingram, who has led the school since December 2016. Under his leadership, the school has maintained its Good Ofsted rating and developed a reputation for nurturing, inclusive education with a strong emphasis on personal development and community cohesion.

How competitive is it to get a place?

St Mark's is oversubscribed, receiving approximately 61 applications for 30 reception places (a ratio of around 2:1) in the most recent admissions round. All families offered places had named the school as their first preference, indicating strong local demand. As admissions prioritise siblings, children of churchgoers, and proximity, securing a place can be competitive, particularly for families without these connections.