Trinity Church of England School, Lewisham: An All-Through Community of Faith and Ambition

Trinity Church of England School operates as a unique "all-through" family in the heart of Lewisham, educating children from age 4 to 16. It sits across two sites but functions as a single cohesive unit, offering a seamless educational journey from Reception through to GCSEs. The school grounds its daily life in a distinct Christian ethos, captured by its motto "Learning, Loving, Living". With strong academic outcomes that place it well above national averages, Trinity serves a diverse local community where faith and aspiration go hand in hand.

The atmosphere at Trinity is defined by its "small school" feel within a larger structure. Although it caters to over 1,000 pupils, the division across two sites—Primary on Leahurst Road and Secondary on Taunton Road—allows for age-appropriate environments that feel safe and manageable. The ethos is inclusive yet explicitly Christian; values such as compassion and service are not just wall displays but active principles in the corridors.

Mr David Lucas, the Executive Headteacher, leads with a vision of "life in all its fullness". Under his leadership, the school has cultivated a "Trinity Family" identity where older students often support younger ones, a benefit of the all-through model that is rarely found in standard secondary schools. The environment is orderly and purposeful, with a uniform that students wear with evident pride. The buildings blend Victorian heritage with modern learning spaces, reflecting the school's evolution and its rootedness in the local area.

Academic performance is a headline strength. The 2024 results demonstrate that pupils here consistently outperform their peers across England.

Primary Phase

In the primary phase, 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. Attainment is high across the board, with 89% meeting the standard in mathematics and 95% in science.

The school ranks 2,656th in England and 14th in Lewisham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This places it in the top 25% of schools in England, sitting comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

Secondary Phase

At GCSE, the school continues to deliver strong value. The 2024 cohort achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.53, meaning students achieve, on average, half a grade higher in every subject than pupils of similar ability nationally. In terms of raw grades, 33.9% of pupils achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in English and Mathematics.

Ranked 1,055th in England and 4th in Lewisham for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the top 25% of schools in England. This performance places it in the top 25% of secondary schools in England.

The curriculum is designed as a fourteen-year continuum. Subject leaders plan progression from the early years through to Year 11, which helps eliminate the "dip" in performance often seen when children transfer to secondary school.

In the primary phase, the focus is on securing strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, supported by specialist teaching in music and languages—a resource often unavailable in standalone primary schools. The secondary curriculum remains broad, with a strong uptake of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects (40.5% entry rate), ensuring students keep academic pathways open. Teachers are subject specialists who expect high standards of engagement; lessons are characterized by clear routines and a focus on "knowing more and remembering more".

As an 11-16 provider, Trinity does not have a Sixth Form. This structural reality means the school focuses intensely on preparing Year 11 students for their next steps. The strong Progress 8 score ensures leavers are attractive candidates for competitive post-16 providers.

Students progress to a wide variety of destinations, including selective grammar school sixth forms like St Olave's and Newstead Wood, as well as high-performing local colleges such as Christ the King and St Francis Xavier. The school provides robust careers guidance to help students navigate these choices, ensuring they find the right fit for A-levels or vocational courses.

Admissions are coordinated by the London Borough of Lewisham. As a Church of England school, Trinity operates a dual criteria system for places: "Foundation" (faith-based) and "Open" (community) places.

Primary Entry (Reception)

The school admits 60 pupils into Reception. It is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 217 applications for 60 places, a ratio of 3.6 applications per place. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

Secondary Entry (Year 7)

The secondary phase has an admission number of 120. However, distinct to the all-through model, Year 6 pupils on roll automatically transfer to Year 7. This significantly reduces the number of places available for external applicants, often leaving only around 60 spots. Competition is fierce; in 2024, there were 384 applications for these places. The deadline for secondary applications is 31 October 2025.

Faith Criteria

Families applying for Foundation places must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to demonstrate regular church attendance. This form must be returned directly to the school.

The "Trinity Family" is the bedrock of pastoral care. In the primary phase, the class teacher remains the central figure of support. In the secondary phase, students join a vertical House system—Mizen, Isaac, Zephaniah, Lawrence, and Phoenix—which fosters a sense of belonging and healthy competition.

The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2021, with inspectors noting the strength of the school's inclusive culture. The "Loving" aspect of the motto translates into a supportive environment where staff know pupils well. The inclusion team is particularly strong, holding the Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence status, and works effectively to support students with additional needs across both sites.

The extracurricular offer is designed to build character and "cultural capital". The House system drives much of this, with competitions in debating, sports, and charity fundraising occurring throughout the year.

Music is a standout feature. The choir and various ensembles perform regularly, benefiting from the school's church links. Sport is also prominent, with teams competing in borough leagues for football, netball, and basketball. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular in Key Stage 4, offering students a chance to develop resilience and leadership skills outside the classroom.

This is a state-funded school, meaning there are no tuition fees. Parents are expected to provide uniform and PE kit, and there may be charges for voluntary school trips, instrumental music lessons, or residential visits. The school uses Pupil Premium funding to support eligible families with these costs.

The Primary Phase is located on Leahurst Road, SE13 5HZ. The Secondary Phase is a short walk away on Taunton Road, SE12 8PD. Both sites are well-served by public transport, with Hither Green and Lewisham stations nearby. The school day typically runs from 08:40 to 15:15. Wraparound care is available for primary pupils, including a breakfast club and after-school provision.

No Sixth Form: The school educates children only up to age 16. Families looking for a single institution that leads all the way to A-levels will need to plan for a transition at the end of Year 11.

Faith Commitment: The Christian ethos is central to the school's identity. While it welcomes families of all faiths and none, attendance at collective worship and engagement with the school's values are expected.

Split Site: Parents with children in both phases will need to manage drop-offs at two different locations, although they are within walking distance.

Oversubscription: Securing a place is challenging. The high number of applications for Year 7, combined with the automatic transfer of primary pupils, makes external entry highly competitive.

Trinity Church of England School offers a nurturing yet academically rigorous environment that serves its community with distinction. Its all-through model provides a stability that many children thrive on, and the 2024 results confirm that its teaching is of a high standard. Best suited to families who value a faith-based education and a close-knit community feel. The main challenge is securing a place, particularly for those applying externally for Year 7.