St Margaret's Lee CofE Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Church School with Exceptional Results

In Lee, a conservation area in south-east London where Victorian and Edwardian terraces cluster around a medieval church, St Margaret's Lee CofE Primary School delivers results that place it among the top-performing primaries in England. In 2024, 93% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, far exceeding the England average of 62%. This one-form entry school of 210 pupils has held Outstanding status with Ofsted, combining academic rigour with a genuine Christian ethos rooted in the parish community.

The school occupies historic buildings on Lee Church Street, within the grounds of St Margaret's Church. Small cohorts mean every child is known individually, and the Church of England character shapes daily life without dominating it.

The school sits beside St Margaret's Church, a Grade I listed building dating from 1839. At drop-off, families greet staff and each other by name. The small scale fosters community; parents describe it as a village school in London.

Inside, displays celebrate learning and faith together. Classrooms are orderly and purposeful. The atmosphere is warm but structured, with clear expectations evident in how pupils move between lessons and interact with adults.

Mrs Helen Bruckdorfer leads the school as Executive Headteacher, supported by Mrs Emily Martin as Head of School. The leadership team maintains high academic standards while ensuring the Christian foundation remains visible in assemblies, values teaching, and links with the parish.

The school's Christian values, Service, Compassion, and Courage, appear throughout school life. Collective worship happens daily, led by staff, clergy, and sometimes pupils. Families of all faiths and none attend, but the Church of England character is genuine and unapologetic.

St Margaret's Lee ranks 906th in England for primary outcomes and 2nd among 75 primaries in Lewisham, placing it well above England average (top 10%). These proprietary FindMySchool rankings, based on official data, confirm sustained high performance.

In 2024, 93% of pupils reached expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 33% achieved greater depth across reading, writing, and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%.

Mathematics stands out. Every pupil met the expected standard, with 35% achieving high scores. The average scaled score of 109 exceeds the England figure. Reading and grammar, punctuation, and spelling show similar strength, with scaled scores of 108 and 110 respectively.

Science results are equally impressive, with 92% meeting expected standards against an England average of 82%.

Teaching follows the national curriculum with careful sequencing. Small class sizes, typically 30 pupils in a single-form entry structure, allow teachers to know each child's strengths and gaps. Pupils are set for mathematics from Year 4 to ensure appropriate challenge.

Phonics teaching begins in Reception using a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Reading is prioritised, with daily guided reading sessions and a well-stocked library. Writing builds from sentence-level work in Key Stage 1 to extended pieces by Year 6.

Mathematics teaching emphasises mastery, with concepts taught in depth before moving forward. Pupils who grasp concepts quickly access challenge rather than acceleration. Those needing support receive targeted intervention.

The curriculum extends beyond core subjects. French is taught from Year 3 by a specialist teacher. RE follows the Southwark Diocesan Syllabus, with pupils learning about Christianity and other world faiths. Music, art, and PE receive dedicated curriculum time.

Pastoral care is strong and personal. The school's small size means staff notice when children are struggling academically or emotionally. The SENCO coordinates support for pupils on the SEN register, working with class teachers and external agencies as needed.

Behaviour is excellent. Pupils are polite, respectful, and engaged. The behaviour policy links to Christian values, emphasising forgiveness and restoration alongside clear consequences. Bullying is rare, addressed quickly when it occurs.

Safeguarding is robust. Staff receive regular training, and leaders maintain close contact with families. The school works with local authority services when additional support is required.

Extracurricular provision reflects the school's size and resources. Clubs run weekly, with recent offerings including football, netball, choir, art, and coding. All clubs are free, ensuring access for all families.

The choir sings regularly in school assemblies and at St Margaret's Church services. Year 6 pupils take leading roles in Christmas and Easter productions, performed for families and the parish community.

Sports fixtures occur with neighbouring primaries. The school participates in Lewisham School Games competitions, with recent success in athletics and cross-country.

Year 6 pupils attend a residential trip to an outdoor education centre, building independence and teamwork. Day trips support curriculum learning, from museum visits in Reception to historical sites in upper Key Stage 2.

Links with St Margaret's Church run deep. Pupils attend services at key points in the Christian calendar: Harvest, Christmas, Easter, and Leavers' Service in July. Clergy visit school regularly for assemblies and RE lessons. Pupils engage in service projects, supporting local charities and the church's outreach work.

Admissions are coordinated by Lewisham Council. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 178 applications for 29 places in 2024. This represents a subscription ratio of 6.1 applications for every place, among the highest in Lewisham.

After looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, places are allocated using faith and distance criteria. The admissions policy prioritises children whose families worship regularly at St Margaret's Church or another Anglican church, then other Christian denominations, then other faiths, then distance.

Families seeking a place based on faith criteria must provide evidence of worship, typically a clergy reference. The specific requirements are detailed in the school's admissions policy, available on the website.

For families applying without faith criteria, distance becomes the determining factor. The school does not publish the last distance offered, but given the oversubscription level, living very close is essential. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates.

Applications open in autumn for the following September entry. The deadline is 15 January. Offers are made on National Offer Day in April.

Most pupils progress to state secondaries in Lewisham and neighbouring boroughs. Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, St Dunstan's College (independent), and Bonus Pastor Catholic College are common destinations. Some families pursue grammar school places at schools including Newstead Wood School and St Olave's Grammar School.

The school provides familiarisation with reasoning-style questions but does not offer intensive 11-plus preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange external tutoring.

Transition support is strong. The school maintains links with local secondaries and coordinates visits and information-sharing to ease the move to Year 7.

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:15pm. Breakfast club operates from 8:00am, providing supervised care and breakfast before school. After-school club runs until 5:30pm, offering homework support, games, and snacks. Both clubs require booking and incur charges; details are available from the school office.

The school is accessible by public transport. Lee station (Southeastern services) is a five-minute walk. Bus routes 178, 202, and 273 stop nearby. On-street parking is limited due to the conservation area restrictions, but the school encourages walking and cycling where possible.

The school uniform is royal blue and grey, purchased from standard retailers. PE kit requirements are straightforward, with no branded items required.

Heavy oversubscription. With 178 applications for 29 places in 2024, entry is extremely competitive. Families without a connection to St Margaret's Church or another Anglican church will find securing a place very difficult unless living within a very tight radius. Distance-based places go to families living closest to the school gates. Parents should verify their eligibility under the faith criteria or their proximity before relying on a place here.

Small school scale. One-form entry means approximately 30 pupils per year group. This creates a close-knit community but limits social breadth. Friendship groups are small, and falling out with peers can feel significant. Families wanting larger cohorts with more social mixing should consider two-form or three-form entry schools.

Church of England ethos. The school's Christian character is genuine and pervasive. Daily collective worship, regular church services, and RE teaching grounded in Christianity are integral to school life. Families uncomfortable with this level of faith integration should look elsewhere, even though the school welcomes families of all faiths and none.

Limited wraparound care. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available but require booking and payment. Families needing consistent extended hours should confirm availability and costs before relying on this provision.

Exceptional results, a strong Christian foundation, and a genuine community atmosphere make St Margaret's Lee a sought-after choice for families in south-east London. The school combines academic rigour with pastoral warmth, delivering outcomes that rival the best primaries in the capital while maintaining a distinctly local and faith-rooted character. Best suited to families within the tight admissions criteria, particularly those connected to St Margaret's Church or other Anglican parishes, who want outstanding primary education shaped by Christian values. The main challenge is securing a place; for those who succeed, the education and community are exceptional.