Sunnyhill Primary School Review 2026: Over a Century of Community Learning in Streatham

Sunnyhill Primary School has served the Streatham community continuously since 1901, making it one of Lambeth's longest-standing educational institutions. This two-form entry state primary school occupies a spacious historic site on Sunnyhill Road, welcoming 407 pupils aged 3 to 11. With its motto "Learning Together, We Will All Be Exceptional," the school has cultivated an inclusive ethos anchored in five core values: Respect One Another, Every Individual Matters, Take Responsibility, Strive for Excellence, and Try Your Best. Ofsted inspectors rated Sunnyhill "Good" across all areas in July 2024, recognising strong behaviour, effective safeguarding, and a commitment to making education accessible for all children. The school holds Artsmark Gold for arts education, the Primary Science Quality Mark for STEM provision, and the School of Sanctuary Award. Facilities include extensive outdoor grounds with a dedicated nature garden used for forest school activities. Admissions are managed by Lambeth Council and the school is significantly oversubscribed, with 141 applications competing for 45 Reception places in the most recent cycle.

Sunnyhill Primary School's heritage stretches back over 120 years, establishing it as a fixture of the Streatham educational landscape since the Edwardian era. As a local authority community school, it has evolved alongside the neighbourhood it serves while maintaining a steadfast commitment to providing broad access to quality primary education. Headteacher Sarah Wilson leads a school that describes itself as having an "inclusive ethos and ambitious curriculum," an approach reflected in its diverse pupil body and partnerships with families.

The school's five values underpin daily life. "Every Individual Matters" is more than a slogan; it shapes curriculum design to ensure all learners, including those with special educational needs and pupils for whom English is an additional language, can engage meaningfully with lessons. The values of respect, responsibility, and striving for excellence are visible in behaviour expectations and the school's enrichment programmes, which include theatrical productions, pupil leadership opportunities, and a calendar of visiting speakers and local educational visits.

Parent satisfaction data suggests the ethos resonates: 97% of parents report that behaviour is good, and 92% note that the school sets high expectations for their children. Pupil wellbeing is a priority, with 79% of students reporting they are happy at school. Attendance stands at 94%, reflecting consistent engagement from families. The School of Sanctuary Award and Anti-Bullying Alliance recognition further underline the school's commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment where diversity is valued.

The physical setting supports the school's community-focused mission. The spacious grounds and historic buildings provide a sense of permanence, while the Sunnyhill Nature Garden offers a specialist outdoor learning space for forest school activities. This blend of tradition and progressive pedagogy is characteristic of a school that has adapted over more than a century to meet evolving educational needs while remaining rooted in its locality.

Sunnyhill Primary School's academic performance reflects the outcomes typical of many urban primary schools serving diverse communities. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, which is above the national average of 62%. However, attainment at the higher standard tells a more complex story: 14% of pupils achieved high scores across reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling, compared to the national average of 8%.

Breaking down performance by subject, mathematics emerges as a relative strength. The school achieved an average scaled score of 102 in mathematics, with 75% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 11% attaining the higher standard. In reading, the average scaled score was 101, with 64% meeting the expected standard and 15% achieving high scores. Writing saw 15% of pupils reaching greater depth. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results were more varied: the average scaled score was 100, with 55% meeting the expected standard and 15% achieving the higher score. In science, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard, slightly below the national average of 82%.

These results place Sunnyhill ranked 13,717th nationally among primary schools and 57th in Lambeth. While the school performs below the national average across several measures, it should be noted that it exceeds national benchmarks in the critical combined reading, writing and mathematics metric, indicating that core foundations are being established for the majority of pupils.

The July 2024 Ofsted report, which rated the school "Good" in all areas, confirms that the quality of education is effective. Inspectors noted that the curriculum is designed to be accessible for all pupils, with strong foundations established in the early years where children learn routines and expectations. Behaviour is positive across the school, and pupils understand and follow established rules. However, inspectors identified that some subject leaders and teachers could improve the precision of knowledge checks to help pupils revisit key content more effectively over time. This is a developmental area that, if addressed, could strengthen long-term retention and raise attainment further.

Sunnyhill caters for pupils with special educational needs through an inclusive approach, ensuring that lessons are differentiated and support is tailored. The school's commitment to accessibility is a defining feature of its educational offer, and Ofsted found that safeguarding arrangements meet all necessary requirements.

Life at Sunnyhill extends beyond the formal curriculum through a programme of extra-curricular clubs and pupil leadership opportunities. The school places emphasis on developing well-rounded individuals, and recent activities have included preparations for theatrical productions such as Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, as well as reading cafés that support home learning and family engagement. The Primary Science Quality Mark recognises the school's commitment to STEM education, while Artsmark Gold acknowledges the breadth and quality of arts provision.

The spacious site and extensive outdoor grounds offer significant advantages in an urban setting. The Sunnyhill Nature Garden is a dedicated resource for forest school activities, allowing pupils to engage with the natural environment and develop outdoor learning skills. This facility is complemented by a playing field and access to locations across London and the southeast for educational visits, enriching the curriculum with real-world experiences.

With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 20:1 and a team that includes 20 teachers and 4 teaching assistants, class sizes are in line with national norms for a two-form entry school. The early years provision, which includes both full-time and part-time nursery places, benefits from dedicated facilities within the children's centre adjacent to the main school.

Admissions to Sunnyhill Primary School are managed by Lambeth Council and governed by the local authority's admissions policy. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 141 applications for 45 Reception places in the most recent cycle, representing a subscription ratio of 3.13:1. Every first-preference applicant who received an offer had listed Sunnyhill as their first choice, indicating high local demand and a close match between parental preference and allocation outcomes.

Lambeth's standard admissions criteria typically prioritise looked-after children, children with exceptional medical or social needs, siblings of current pupils, and then distance from the school. Parents should verify current criteria and distances directly with Lambeth School Admissions, as these can vary year to year. For the 2025/26 Reception intake, applications opened on 1 September 2024, with a deadline of 15 January 2025. National offer day is 16 April 2025, and responses are due by 30 April 2025.

The waiting list is held and managed by Lambeth School Admissions (telephone: 0207 926 9503, email: schooladmissions@lambeth.gov.uk). Parents seeking a place mid-year or appealing a decision should contact the local authority directly. It is important to note that historical offer distances are not reliable predictors of future outcomes, particularly in years where cohort size or local housing developments affect demand.

Nursery admissions are managed directly by the school. Sunnyhill currently offers 15 full-time places and 40 part-time places, with morning sessions running from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoon sessions from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Parents interested in nursery provision should contact the school office for current availability and application procedures.

Given the level of competition, families should consider Sunnyhill within the context of a balanced application strategy, listing alternative schools in order of genuine preference. Living close to the school or having a sibling already on roll significantly improves the likelihood of securing a place.

Sunnyhill Primary School is a solidly performing community primary with deep roots in Streatham and a clear commitment to inclusion and accessibility. Its most recent Ofsted "Good" rating reflects effective leadership, positive behaviour, and a curriculum designed to serve a diverse pupil body. Academic outcomes are above national averages in the critical combined reading, writing and mathematics measure, though attainment at the higher standard remains an area for development. The school's historic site, extensive outdoor facilities including a nature garden, and strong enrichment programme add significant value to the educational experience.

For families prioritising a values-driven, community-focused environment with over a century of educational continuity, Sunnyhill offers a stable and welcoming setting. However, the school is highly oversubscribed, and securing a place is competitive. Parents should engage early with Lambeth's admissions process and ensure they understand current catchment distances and criteria. The school's inclusive ethos makes it particularly well-suited to families seeking an environment where diversity is celebrated and every child is supported to reach their potential, even if league table rankings do not reflect elite performance.

Sunnyhill is a school where tradition and progressive values coexist. It serves its community with integrity, and for families who live nearby and value a nurturing, inclusive primary education, it represents a sound choice within Lambeth's primary sector.

Is Sunnyhill Primary School a good school?

Yes. Ofsted inspectors rated Sunnyhill "Good" across all areas in July 2024, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school achieves above-average results in the combined reading, writing and mathematics measure at Key Stage 2, with 71% of pupils meeting the expected standard compared to the national average of 62%. It holds Artsmark Gold, the Primary Science Quality Mark, and the School of Sanctuary Award. Parents report high satisfaction, with 97% saying behaviour is good and 92% noting high expectations. The school's inclusive ethos and commitment to accessibility for all learners are particular strengths.

How do I apply to Sunnyhill Primary School?

Admissions to Reception at Sunnyhill are managed by Lambeth Council. For the 2025/26 intake, applications opened on 1 September 2024 and closed on 15 January 2025, with offers made on 16 April 2025. Parents must apply through Lambeth's coordinated admissions system, listing up to six schools in order of preference. Lambeth's admissions criteria typically prioritise looked-after children, children with exceptional medical or social needs, siblings, and then distance from the school. Contact Lambeth School Admissions on 0207 926 9503 or email schooladmissions@lambeth.gov.uk for current waiting list information or mid-year applications. Nursery admissions are managed directly by the school; contact the school office for availability and application procedures.

What are the school's core values?

Sunnyhill Primary School is guided by five core values: Respect One Another, Every Individual Matters, Take Responsibility, Strive for Excellence, and Try Your Best. These values underpin the school's inclusive ethos and shape daily life, behaviour expectations, and curriculum design. The motto "Learning Together, We Will All Be Exceptional" reflects the school's commitment to fostering a supportive community where every pupil is valued and encouraged to achieve.

What facilities does the school have?

Sunnyhill occupies a spacious historic site with extensive outdoor grounds including a playing field and the Sunnyhill Nature Garden, which is dedicated to forest school activities. The school has been on its current site since 1901 and benefits from both traditional buildings and modern facilities. A children's centre adjacent to the main school provides nursery provision with dedicated early years facilities. The school also arranges educational visits to locations across London and the southeast to enrich the curriculum.

How competitive is admission to Sunnyhill?

Sunnyhill is significantly oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, 141 applications competed for 45 Reception places, a subscription ratio of 3.13:1. All first-preference applicants who received offers had listed Sunnyhill as their top choice, indicating strong local demand. Families should live close to the school or have a sibling on roll to improve their chances. Parents are advised to list alternative schools on their application and to contact Lambeth School Admissions for current offer distances and criteria, as these can vary annually.