Ashmead Primary School offers a distinctive blend of academic rigour and creative expression in the heart of Deptford. Operating since 2003, this two-form entry community school grounds its work in the belief that, through excellent teaching and care, children know they are both loveable and capable. With capacity for 446 pupils aged 3 to 11, Ashmead balances ambition with nurture, weaving music, arts, and outdoor learning throughout a broad curriculum. Recent performance data places the school broadly in line with national averages, with particular strengths in reading comprehension and grammar. Led by Jane Bickley, who has served the school community for nearly 15 years, Ashmead was rated Good by Ofsted in November 2022, with inspectors noting above-average attainment in English and mathematics by Year 6, alongside effective support for pupils needing additional intervention.
Ashmead's founding principle—that every child should recognise they are both loveable and capable—permeates daily life. This dual emphasis on self-worth and achievement is reflected in staff practice, with a focus on strong relationships, individual well-being, and imaginative play. The atmosphere is described as calm and nurturing, with children encouraged to express their learning through oracy, writing, and the arts. The school's mission prioritises creativity and well-being alongside academic standards, signalling a holistic approach to child development.
Jane Bickley's long tenure as headteacher has fostered continuity and deep community ties. Ashmead also benefits from co-leadership, with Sean O'Flynn serving as co-headteacher. This collaborative leadership model aims to balance strategic direction with day-to-day pastoral care. Parents report high satisfaction, praising the school's improvements and the supportive environment in which children feel safe and known.
The site itself has undergone recent investment. In summer 2024, the PTA funded installation of a new climbing frame, and further playground development is planned for summer 2025 to support the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) framework. These investments reflect the school's commitment to active, imaginative outdoor experiences, particularly important in an urban setting where green space is at a premium.
Ashmead's most recent results show 71% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2, above the national average of 62%. The school performs especially well in reading, with 63% reaching expected and 44% achieving high scores, and in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, where 72% met expected standards and 50% achieved high scores. Average scaled scores were 106 in reading and 108 in grammar, both above the typical threshold of 100, indicating solid foundational literacy.
Mathematics results were slightly more modest, with 63% meeting expected standards and 31% achieving high scores, accompanied by an average scaled score of 104. These figures are in line with, though not markedly above, national norms. Science performance was notably strong, with 97% of pupils reaching the expected standard, well above the national average of 82%.
Ofsted's 2022 report confirmed that pupils reach above-average standards in English and mathematics by Year 6, and commended the school's effective intervention strategies for pupils needing additional support. However, inspectors noted that more able pupils sometimes require higher levels of challenge, particularly in writing and mathematics, suggesting a need for further stretch at the top end.
The curriculum is described as ambitious and thoughtfully sequenced, allowing pupils to build on prior knowledge as they progress. Foundation subjects including history, geography, and art are taught in Key Stage 2, with children regularly practising, rehearsing, and learning from feedback to craft polished work. This reflective, iterative approach supports depth of understanding.
Special educational needs provision is managed through an Inclusion and SEND framework, though specific detail on the types of needs supported and staffing arrangements was not publicly available. Parents and prospective families are encouraged to contact the school directly for tailored information.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
71.33%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Extracurricular life at Ashmead is enriched by a structured music programme: every child from Year 3 to Year 6 learns a musical instrument, progressing from recorder to ukulele, guitar, and drums across the four years. This sequential approach ensures all pupils, not just those opting into clubs, gain practical musicianship. The school also holds Music Mark recognition, signalling external validation of its provision, and singing is woven into school life.
Beyond music, the school offers a variety of enrichment clubs, covering sports and other interests. Educational visits and workshops with authors and musicians feature regularly, broadening horizons beyond the classroom. The recently installed climbing frame and forthcoming OPAL playground development will further enhance outdoor play opportunities, supporting physical literacy and imaginative engagement.
The extended day provision runs from 8am to 6pm. Breakfast Club is available from 8am to 8:55am for £5, while after-school care is operated by Teachsport, with a short session until 4:30pm (£6) and a full session until 6pm (£15). This wraparound care is particularly valued by working families in Deptford.
Pupils report feeling safe, with bullying described as uncommon. Behaviour is reported as good, and children express positive views about recent school improvements. The emphasis on strong relationships and individual well-being supports a secure, positive climate.
Ashmead Primary School is significantly oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 187 applications for 59 Reception places, yielding a subscription ratio of 3.17:1. This means the school received more than three applications for every available place, making entry highly competitive. The proportion of first preferences versus first-preference offers stood at 1.15, indicating that most successful applicants ranked Ashmead as their first choice.
Admissions are managed by Lewisham Council, with decisions based on proximity to the school. The exact furthest distance offered in the latest round was not published, but prospective families should be aware that living within walking distance of the school does not guarantee a place. Oversubscription criteria typically prioritise looked-after children, those with specific medical or social needs, siblings of current pupils, and then distance from the school, measured in a straight line.
Data on feeder schools shows that Ashmead pupils commonly progress to Deptford Green School (19% of leavers), Addey and Stanhope School (14%), and Prendergast School (13%) for secondary education. This indicates strong local pathways within Lewisham, with families remaining within the borough for Key Stage 3.
Parents considering Ashmead should apply via the Lewisham admissions portal, typically in the autumn term before their child's intended Reception start. Given the competition, it is advisable to list Ashmead alongside other preferences, including schools with historically wider catchment areas. Contacting the school office (020 8692 6777 or admin@ashmead.lewisham.sch.uk) for a visit is recommended to gauge fit and to clarify any specific admissions questions.
Applications
187
Total received
Places Offered
59
Subscription Rate
3.2x
Apps per place
Ashmead Primary School is a solid, community-focused choice for families in Deptford seeking a school that values creativity and well-being alongside academic progress. Its performance data is broadly in line with or above national averages, particularly in literacy, and its Ofsted Good rating reflects consistent effectiveness. The school's ethos of making children feel both loveable and capable is not mere rhetoric; it is evidenced in the investment in music, outdoor learning, and pastoral structures, and in the high parental satisfaction reported to inspectors.
The school's greatest strengths lie in its stable leadership, its thoughtful curriculum, and its commitment to enrichment beyond the core subjects. The structured music programme stands out as a genuine differentiator, ensuring every child gains instrumental skills, not just those who opt in. The forthcoming OPAL playground enhancements signal ongoing investment in the learning environment.
However, prospective families should be realistic about academic stretch. Ofsted's observation that more able pupils sometimes lack sufficient challenge suggests that, while the school supports children well across the attainment spectrum, those working at greater depth may not always be extended as far as they could be. This is a common challenge in primaries of this size, but it is worth considering for families with particularly able children.
Entry is highly competitive, with more than three applicants per place, so proximity is key. Those living further afield should temper expectations and ensure backup options are in place. For those within the catchment, Ashmead offers a warm, purposeful, and enriching primary experience, equipping children with strong literacy foundations, creative confidence, and a sense of their own worth.
Yes, Ashmead Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted as of November 2022. The school achieves above-average results in English and mathematics, with 71% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2, compared to the national average of 62%. Pupils feel safe, behaviour is good, and parents report high satisfaction.
Applications are made through the Lewisham Council admissions portal, typically in the autumn term before your child's intended Reception start (usually by mid-January for a September start). Admissions are managed by the local authority, and places are allocated based on oversubscription criteria, primarily proximity to the school. Given high competition, it is advisable to list multiple preferences. For visits or specific queries, contact the school office on 020 8692 6777 or admin@ashmead.lewisham.sch.uk.
Ashmead Primary School does not operate a defined catchment area; instead, Lewisham Council allocates places based on straight-line distance from home to school. In recent years, the school has been significantly oversubscribed, receiving 187 applications for 59 places. The furthest distance offered varies annually depending on demand, so proximity is critical. Families are encouraged to check historical admission data via Lewisham Council and to visit the school for guidance.
Ashmead offers a structured music programme, with all pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 learning a musical instrument (recorder, ukulele, guitar, and drums in sequence). The school also provides a range of enrichment clubs covering sports and other interests, as well as educational visits and workshops with authors and musicians. Extended day provision includes Breakfast Club and after-school care until 6pm, operated by Teachsport.
Ashmead operates an Inclusion and SEND framework, with dedicated staff managing additional support. Ofsted noted effective intervention strategies for pupils needing extra help. Specific details on the types of needs supported and staffing arrangements are not publicly detailed, so parents are advised to contact the school directly via admin@ashmead.lewisham.sch.uk or 020 8692 6777 for tailored information and to discuss their child's individual requirements.
Get in touch with the school directly
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