Athelney Primary School Review 2026: National Champion for Inclusion in Catford

Athelney Primary School has achieved the rare distinction of being named an IQM National Champion School for 2025/26, one of just eight schools across England to receive this prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark award and the only primary school in London to do so. This two-form-entry community primary in Catford serves 385 children aged 2 to 11, operating under the King Alfred Federation with a motto that captures its ambition: "Success for today; prepared for tomorrow. Nothing is beyond our reach." The school houses an 18-place specialist Resource Base for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder which opened in 2010 and has been recognised as outstanding. Rated Good across all categories by Ofsted in July 2022, Athelney has maintained this standard since its previous inspection in 2017.

Athelney Primary's identity is built around six core values that permeate daily life: Confidence, Collaboration, Community, Resilience, Responsibility and Respect. This framework shapes classroom practice, behaviour expectations and the school's inclusive ethos. Located on the King Alfred Estate in Bellingham, the school joined forces with neighbouring Elfrida Primary School to form the King Alfred Federation, strengthening local provision and enabling resource sharing. The school's commitment to inclusion is not simply rhetorical; its journey from receiving the Inclusion Quality Mark in 2016 to becoming Lewisham's only Centre of Excellence for Inclusion that same year, followed by Flagship Status in 2019 and National Champion status in 2025/26, reflects sustained institutional focus.

Leadership is currently shared between interim headteacher Mr Simms, federation deputy headteacher Mr Potts and assistant headteacher Ms Williams, with Ms K Wong listed as the principal on official records. The school describes itself as a "unique and diverse learning community" that prioritises partnership with families, and inspectors confirmed in 2022 that pupils and staff are highly motivated and believe in learning together. The atmosphere is one of intentional inclusivity, where neurodiversity is celebrated through dedicated events such as Neurodiversity Week and where specialist support sits alongside mainstream provision rather than being treated as separate.

Athelney's academic performance sits below national averages in key metrics. In the most recent results, 55% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. The school ranks 13,322nd in England for primary performance and 58th within Lewisham. Just 11% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, slightly above the national figure of 8%. Individual subject outcomes show average scaled scores of 102 in reading, 100 in mathematics and 103 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, with mathematics results proving the weakest area as only 52% reached the expected standard and 12% the high standard. Science performance was notably stronger, with 83% of pupils meeting expected standards compared to the national average of 82%.

The school employs structured phonics teaching through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme, and Ofsted rated the quality of education as Good in 2022. Classes are organised by year group from Nursery through Year 6, with names drawn from celestial bodies including Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn. Pupils have access to a "secret library" for reading, and the school places emphasis on writing depth and fluency alongside technical accuracy, though only 5% of pupils achieved greater depth in writing in recent assessments.

The specialist Resource Base for 18 pupils with Autism represents a significant strength, offering dedicated provision within an inclusive mainstream environment. Admission to the Resource Base is managed by Lewisham's SEN Team based at Kaleidoscope, not through the standard admissions process. The school's recognition as a National Champion for Inclusion reflects expertise in meeting diverse needs, and inspectors confirmed that personal development and behaviour are both Good. Pupils benefit from trips, residential visits, and clubs including art, science and dance.

Reception entry at Athelney Primary School is oversubscribed and competitive. The latest admissions data shows 74 applications for 28 available places, yielding a subscription ratio of 2.64:1, meaning the school received nearly three applications for every place. All 28 offers were made to families who listed Athelney as their first preference. As a Lewisham community school, admissions are managed by the local authority, not the school directly. Parents apply through Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals, with applications typically opening in the autumn term before the intended September start.

Lewisham community primary schools generally prioritise looked-after children, previously looked-after children, and then children with exceptional social or medical need supported by professional evidence, followed by siblings and proximity to the school. Specific oversubscription criteria vary by school and year, and Athelney does not operate a defined catchment area. Living near the school or in areas where previous cohorts have gained places does not guarantee future admission. Distance from the school measured in straight-line miles is typically the deciding factor once priority categories are exhausted, though the most recent last distance offered is not publicly available.

For in-year transfers outside the normal Reception entry point, families must complete an iCAF (In-Year Common Application Form) available on Lewisham Council's website and submit it directly to the local authority. The school runs open days throughout autumn and winter for prospective Reception families, and bookings can be made online via the school website or by calling 0208 697 2945. Given the subscription level, early engagement and a carefully considered ranked preference list on the Lewisham application are advisable.

Athelney Primary School is best suited to families seeking an inclusive community school with proven expertise in supporting children with diverse needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Its status as the only primary in London to hold National Champion recognition for inclusion signals deep institutional commitment and specialist capability that extend beyond the Resource Base to all pupils. Parents valuing collaborative learning, strong pastoral care and a school culture built on clearly articulated values will find much to appreciate. The school's position within the King Alfred Federation offers stability and shared resources.

Academic outcomes, however, require careful consideration. With results below national averages in reading, writing and mathematics combined and a ranking in the lower tier nationally, Athelney is not the choice for families prioritising very high attainment or selective pathways. Mathematics performance in particular trails both national figures and some neighbouring Lewisham schools. That said, the school's science results match national standards, and its Good Ofsted rating confirms effective teaching and leadership. For families whose children have SEND, particularly autism, or for those who prioritise inclusive environments over raw academic metrics, Athelney offers a supportive and values-driven setting. The high level of competition for places reflects local confidence in the school's provision and reputation within the Bellingham community.

Is Athelney Primary School a good school?

Athelney Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted across all categories including quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership. It holds National Champion status for inclusion, the only London primary to do so in 2025/26. Academic results are below national averages, with 55% reaching expected standards in reading, writing and maths compared to 62% nationally, placing it in the lower tier of England's primaries. The school excels in inclusive practice and pastoral support.

How do I apply to Athelney Primary School?

Applications for Reception entry are made through Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals, not directly to the school. The application process typically opens in the autumn term before the intended September start. For in-year transfers, complete an iCAF form available on Lewisham Council's website. Admission to the 18-place Autism Resource Base is managed separately by Lewisham's SEN Team at Kaleidoscope. The school is oversubscribed, receiving 2.64 applications per place.

What are Athelney Primary School's admissions criteria?

As a Lewisham community school, Athelney follows the local authority's admissions framework. Priority is typically given to looked-after children, previously looked-after children, children with exceptional social or medical need (supported by professional evidence), siblings of current pupils, and proximity to the school. Specific criteria may vary by year. Distance is usually the tiebreaker. Living near the school or in areas where previous pupils were admitted does not guarantee a place.

Does Athelney Primary School have a specialist Resource Base?

Yes, Athelney has an 18-place specialist Resource Base for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which opened in 2010 and has been described as outstanding. Admission to the Resource Base is via Lewisham's Local Authority SEN Team at Kaleidoscope, separate from the standard admissions process. The school's expertise in inclusive education extends across the whole school and has been recognised with National Champion status for inclusion.

What are the school's core values?

Athelney operates around six core values: Confidence, Collaboration, Community, Resilience, Responsibility and Respect. These values are embedded throughout the curriculum, behaviour policies and daily school life, reflecting the school's commitment to developing well-rounded pupils prepared for future challenges.

What extracurricular activities are offered?

Pupils can participate in clubs including art, science and dance. The school organises trips and residential visits, and children have access to a "secret library" for independent reading. The school also provides wrap-around care through a breakfast club and extended care provision to support working families.