Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill Review 2026: Small Church School with Strong Community Ethos

Established in 1874, Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School serves 185 pupils aged 3 to 11 in the heart of Forest Hill, Lewisham. The school's Christian foundation shapes its vision of "Excellence within a Christian Family", with six core values – ambitious, honest, forgiving, resilient, respectful and kind – woven into daily school life. Under the leadership of headteacher Miss Sarah Ambrose, this small voluntary aided school emphasises inclusion and describes itself as "the hidden gem of Forest Hill". The school holds awards including Ofsted Good, SIAMS Excellent, an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence, Music Mark, and a Bronze Geography Quality Mark. With a capacity of 210, Holy Trinity received 75 applications for just 16 Reception places at primary entry, reflecting subscription of 4.69 times available places.

Holy Trinity's 150-year heritage in Forest Hill provides the foundation for a distinctively Christian learning community. The school's Church of England ethos creates what governors describe as an "exceptional family school community", placing God at the centre of an inclusive, caring and supportive environment. The mission extends beyond academic achievement, focusing on developing "articulate, thoughtful and kind individuals" who can thrive as active, responsible members of both local and global communities.

The curriculum extends well beyond the National Curriculum framework, emphasising creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Classes are named after rivers from Reception through to Year 6, reflecting a connection to nature and exploration. The school's commitment to helping children "know more, remember more and grow in confidence" underpins teaching across all subjects. Partnerships with Sydenham High, Dulwich College, St Christopher's Hospice, Best Practice Network and local universities enrich the educational experience and expose children to innovative practice.

Pupil leadership opportunities abound through roles as RE Leaders, Safeguarding Committee members, Buddies, Leading Citizens and Eco Ambassadors. The February 2024 Ofsted inspection highlighted the school's deep-rooted community partnerships and praised opportunities for pupils to experience the local environment, including forest school sessions in the local church garden, visits to the local museum and travel into London on public transport. The inspection emphasised the school's commitment to welcoming all pupils into their family and noted that fixed-term exclusions have reduced following targeted leadership initiatives.

Holy Trinity achieved a Good rating from Ofsted in February 2024, maintaining its consistent performance from previous inspections in 2015 and 2010. Inspectors noted that the leadership team has maintained good quality education and introduced strategies to improve outcomes, with governors knowledgeable and well-informed about the school. Safeguarding arrangements are thorough and fit for purpose.

Most recent Key Stage 2 results show 61% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, just below the national average of 62%. In individual subjects, 60% reached the expected standard in reading, 67% in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 50% in maths. Average scaled scores were 102 in both reading and GPS, and 98 in maths. At the higher standard, 10% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 8%. In writing, 7% achieved greater depth, while 17% achieved the higher standard in reading and GPS, and 7% in maths. Science performance was strong, with 77% reaching the expected standard.

The school ranks 13,990th nationally among primary schools. Within Lewisham, it places 59th out of local primaries. Academic outcomes reflect a school working to close achievement gaps, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. The 2024 Ofsted report identified that the attainment and progress of disadvantaged pupils remain below those of other pupils, and closing these gaps continues to be a development priority. Recent curriculum initiatives are still being embedded, and well-trained additional adults provide targeted support for pupils who need extra help.

The school's inclusive approach earned it recognition as an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence. This commitment extends to specialist provision and pastoral care, with safeguarding arrangements described by Ofsted as thorough. Class sizes remain manageable within the school's 210-pupil capacity, allowing for personalised attention.

Holy Trinity occupies a site on Dartmouth Road in the Forest Hill conservation area, providing a community setting for learning. The school offers clubs, trips, sports, languages and music programmes designed to broaden experiences and help pupils develop confidence, friendships and resilience. Forest school sessions take place in the adjacent church garden, connecting children with nature and outdoor learning.

The school has maintained its Music Mark award for 2024-25, reflecting a commitment to music education. Recent recognition includes a Bronze Geography Quality Mark and a Pupil Safeguarding and Resilience Gold award for 2023-24. These accolades sit alongside the school's SIAMS Excellent rating, which evaluates its work as a Church of England school.

Partnerships with Sydenham High and Dulwich College provide opportunities for pupils to engage with neighbouring independent schools. Links with St Christopher's Hospice and local universities support both curriculum enrichment and staff development. The location in Forest Hill allows easy access to London's wider educational and cultural resources, with pupils gaining experience of using public transport as part of their learning.

Holy Trinity is a voluntary aided Church of England school, and admissions are managed by the school's governing body rather than Lewisham Council. For primary entry (Reception), the school is highly oversubscribed, with 75 applications competing for 16 places in the most recent admissions round. This subscription rate of 4.69 means the school receives nearly five applications for every available place, with all first preference applicants who received offers having named Holy Trinity as their first choice.

As a Church of England school, admissions criteria typically include faith-based considerations, though the school describes itself as "diverse and inclusive". The specific criteria and their order of priority determine which applicants receive offers when places are oversubscribed. Parents should consult the school's admissions policy directly for full details of how places are allocated, including any requirements related to church attendance or connection to Holy Trinity Church.

The school does not operate a traditional geographic catchment area in the way that community schools do, and distance-based admissions data are not available. However, its location on Dartmouth Road in central Forest Hill makes it accessible to families across the SE23 area and surrounding neighbourhoods. Parents considering Holy Trinity should apply through the Lewisham coordinated admissions scheme, ensuring they meet any faith-related criteria specified in the school's policy.

Secondary transition sees pupils moving to a range of local schools. According to destination data, approximately 35% of Year 6 leavers proceed to Sydenham School, 17% to Trinity Church of England School in Lewisham, and 17% to Forest Hill School, with the remaining 30% distributed across other secondaries in the borough and beyond.

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School offers a small, faith-based learning community with a heritage stretching back to 1874. Its Christian ethos shapes a caring, inclusive environment recognised by SIAMS as Excellent and by Ofsted as Good. For families seeking a Church of England primary with strong values, active community partnerships and manageable class sizes, Holy Trinity presents an appealing option rooted in Forest Hill.

Academic results sit close to national averages, with 61% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined. The school is working to narrow gaps for disadvantaged pupils and embedding recent curriculum improvements, as identified by Ofsted. Its Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence status reflects a commitment to supporting all learners, and awards in music, geography and pupil safeguarding demonstrate breadth beyond core academics.

Competition for places is intense, with nearly five applications for every Reception spot. As a voluntary aided school, faith-based admissions criteria apply, and families should carefully review requirements. The school's size – 185 pupils against a capacity of 210 – creates a close-knit community where children are known individually, though this may limit the range of facilities and specialist resources compared to larger primaries.

Holy Trinity suits families who value a Christian ethos, strong pastoral care, and active community engagement. Its partnerships with local organisations and neighbouring schools enrich the curriculum, and opportunities for pupil leadership help develop confident, articulate young people. The school's trajectory shows consistency, maintaining its Good Ofsted rating while working to improve outcomes for all groups. For those prioritising a values-led, inclusive church school with a long Forest Hill heritage, Holy Trinity merits serious consideration.

Is Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill a good school?

Yes, Holy Trinity was rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024, maintaining its consistent performance from previous inspections. The school holds SIAMS Excellent status for its work as a Church of England school and is an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence. Academic results are close to national averages, with 61% of pupils achieving expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined. The school's Christian ethos, strong community partnerships and commitment to inclusion make it a solid choice for families seeking a values-led primary education in Forest Hill.

How do I apply to Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill?

Applications are made through the Lewisham coordinated admissions scheme, though Holy Trinity is a voluntary aided school and its governing body manages the admissions process. Parents should complete a Lewisham Common Application Form, ranking Holy Trinity among their preferences. As a Church of England school, faith-based criteria typically apply, and families should review the school's admissions policy carefully to understand requirements. The school is highly oversubscribed, receiving nearly five applications for every Reception place. Application deadlines and timelines follow the standard Lewisham schedule, usually with forms due in mid-January for September entry. Contact the school office on 020 8699 9023 or visit www.holytrinity.lewisham.sch.uk for admissions policy details.

What is the catchment area for Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill?

As a voluntary aided Church of England school, Holy Trinity does not operate a traditional geographic catchment area. Admissions are determined by the school's faith-based criteria rather than distance from the school. The governing body sets the admissions policy, which typically prioritises applicants based on church attendance, connection to Holy Trinity Church, or other faith-related factors, though specific criteria vary and should be confirmed directly with the school. The school serves families across Forest Hill and surrounding areas of Lewisham, but meeting geographic proximity alone does not guarantee a place.

What are the outcomes for pupils leaving Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill?

At Key Stage 2, most recent results show 61% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, close to the national average of 62%. In individual subjects, 60% achieved expected standards in reading, 50% in maths, and 67% in grammar, punctuation and spelling. At the higher standard, 10% achieved greater depth across reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 8%. Secondary destinations include Sydenham School (35% of leavers), Trinity Church of England School, Lewisham (17%), and Forest Hill School (17%), with remaining pupils moving to various other local secondaries.

What is special about Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Forest Hill?

Holy Trinity's distinctive Christian ethos, rooted in its 1874 foundation, creates what the school calls an "exceptional family school community". It is recognised as an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence and holds SIAMS Excellent status for its work as a Church of England school. The school emphasises six core values – ambitious, honest, forgiving, resilient, respectful and kind – and provides pupils with leadership opportunities as RE Leaders, Safeguarding Committee members, Buddies, Leading Citizens and Eco Ambassadors. Partnerships with Sydenham High, Dulwich College, St Christopher's Hospice and local universities enrich the curriculum. Forest school sessions in the adjacent church garden and community engagement across Forest Hill reflect the school's commitment to experiential learning and local connection.