Perched on the edge of Wimbledon Common, Bishop Gilpin Church of England Primary School is an institution where high reaching academic standards meet a deeply ingrained Christian ethos. Serving 464 pupils across a two form entry structure, the school has long been a cornerstone of the Wimbledon community. Its 2024 Key Stage 2 results are exceptional, placing the school in the elite tier of English primaries. Specifically, it sits in the top 2% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), a position that makes it one of the most sought after state schools in Southwest London. The school operates with a nursery on site, allowing for a seamless educational journey from the age of three through to eleven.
The atmosphere at Bishop Gilpin is one of purposeful calm, where the historic red brick Victorian architecture of the original school house blends with contemporary glass fronted extensions. This physical evolution mirrors the school's own journey; while it remains steadfastly committed to its Church of England heritage, it is entirely modern in its pedagogical outlook. The school motto, Work hard, be kind, and help each other, is the visible bedrock of daily interactions.
Matt Birch, who took up the post of Headteacher in 2021, has maintained the school’s trajectory of excellence while fostering a culture that prioritises student voice and global citizenship. The relationship with the nearby St Mary's Church and Christ Church remains central to school life. Collective worship is a daily fixture, but it is handled with an inclusivity that welcomes families of all faiths and none, provided they support the school's core values. The physical environment is enhanced by its proximity to the Common, which is frequently used for outdoor learning and cross country running, giving the school a spacious, almost rural feel despite its London location.
The results tell a story of consistent, high level achievement. In 2024, 91% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, the school is even more distinguished; 52% of pupils achieved the greater depth standard in all three core subjects, compared to the England average of 8%.
Ranked 114th in England and 3rd among all primaries in Merton (FindMySchool proprietary ranking), the school’s metrics reflect a rigorous approach to the core curriculum. Scaled scores are equally impressive, with an average of 110 in reading and 111 in mathematics, both comfortably exceeding the England benchmark of 100. The performance in Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS) is particularly notable, with 80% of pupils achieving a high score.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
91.33%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Teaching at Bishop Gilpin is characterised by high expectations and a structured, cumulative curriculum. The school uses specialist teaching in areas such as Music, Physical Education, and French to ensure that pupils receive expert instruction beyond the core subjects. Mathematics is taught using a mastery approach, focusing on deep understanding before moving on to new concepts, which is evidenced by the high percentage of pupils reaching the top scaled scores.
Curriculum enrichment is a priority. The school often organises thematic weeks, such as Science Week or Arts Week, where the standard timetable is suspended in favour of immersive projects. Technology is integrated throughout the primary years, with a focus on digital literacy and coding. The school's library is a well used hub, supporting a strong culture of reading that is reflected in the 95% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading assessments.
The nursery at Bishop Gilpin is an integrated part of the school community, led by familiar school adults and reflecting the nurturing environment seen in later years. The setting focuses on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through a balance of child initiated play and practitioner led activities. Staff focus heavily on communication and language development, ensuring that the youngest children are well prepared for the transition into Reception.
For nursery fee details and session availability, parents should visit the school website directly. Government funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for further details on 15 and 30 hour entitlements. While a place in the nursery provides a fantastic start, parents should note that it does not guarantee admission to the main school, as the Reception intake follows the local authority's admissions criteria.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Transition to secondary school is a major focus in Year 6. Approximately 21% of students move on to Ricards Lodge High School and Saint Cecilia's Church of England School, while around 18% progress to Rutlish School. Other common destinations include The Holy Cross School and Ursuline High School.
Each year, a notable number of children successfully gain academic, sporting, or arts based bursaries to schools in the independent sector. The school maintains strong links with Merton secondary schools to ensure that pastoral and academic data is shared effectively, smoothing the jump to Year 7.
Securing a place at Bishop Gilpin is the primary hurdle for many families. It is a Voluntary Aided school, meaning the governors set the admissions policy, though it is coordinated by Merton Council. The school is heavily oversubscribed; in the most recent intake, there were 324 applications for just 60 places. This equates to a subscription proportion of 5.4 applications for every available seat.
Priority is given to looked after children and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school. As a Church of England school, up to 30 of the 60 places are Foundation Places allocated based on faith criteria, requiring regular attendance at a Christian church and a completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF). The remaining places are generally allocated based on proximity. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of entry based on previous years' trends.
Applications
324
Total received
Places Offered
60
Subscription Rate
5.4x
Apps per place
The school’s pastoral care is rooted in its Christian values, but it is delivered through modern, evidence based practices. There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, with pupils taught to identify and manage their feelings from an early age. The latest Ofsted inspection in June 2024, which awarded the school an Outstanding rating, confirmed that inspectors recognised the high expectations for each child and the strong support provided for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
The "Bishop Gilpin Way" encourages older pupils to take on leadership roles, such as Play Leaders, fostering a sense of responsibility and community. A 2019 monitoring visit previously highlighted the school's robust safeguarding and culture of care, which was reaffirmed in the 2024 full inspection. The school also maintains a strong partnership with parents, holding regular workshops on topics such as online safety and mental health.
The extracurricular life of the school is vibrant and varied. Music is a particular strength; the school choir frequently performs at community events and in local churches, and many pupils learn a musical instrument. The sports programme takes full advantage of the local area, with competitive teams in football, netball, and cricket.
Specific clubs and activities include:
The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:30pm, with flexible drop off from 8:30am. Bishop Gilpin offers comprehensive wraparound care to support working families. The "Early Birds" breakfast club runs from 7:45am, and the "BG Badgers" after school care operates from 3:30pm until 6:00pm. After school care costs approximately £30.00 per day (including a light bite) for those committing to 3 to 5 days per week, with shorter sessions (BG Explorers) ranging from £12 to £22 depending on duration.
The school is located in a residential area of Wimbledon with very limited parking. Families are strongly encouraged to walk or use public transport; the school is a 15 minute walk from Wimbledon station (District Line and South Western Railway) and is well served by local bus routes including the 93 and 200.
As a state school, Bishop Gilpin CofE Primary School does not charge tuition fees for its primary phases. Voluntary contributions may be requested for certain extracurricular activities or school trips, and wraparound care is charged at the rates mentioned in the Practical Information section. For nursery provision, government funding typically covers the standard 15 or 30 hour entitlements for eligible families, with any additional hours or care sessions subject to fees.
Bishop Gilpin CofE Primary School is an academic powerhouse that manages to maintain a warm, community focused heart. It offers a level of education that rivals many local independent preps, but without the tuition fees. It is best suited to families in the Wimbledon area who value a traditional, faith based framework combined with modern, high achieving teaching. For those who secure a place, the educational experience is exceptional, though the challenge of admission remains the primary obstacle for prospective parents.
Yes, it is considered one of the leading primary schools in England. It holds an Outstanding rating from Ofsted (last inspected June 2024) and consistently ranks in the top 2% of schools in England based on Key Stage 2 performance. In 2024, 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, well above the England average of 62%.
Applications for Reception must be made through Merton Council’s coordinated admissions process by 15 January. Additionally, because it is a Church of England Voluntary Aided school, you must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if you are applying for one of the 30 Foundation Places. The school is heavily oversubscribed, so early research into the admissions policy is essential.
No. Attendance at the Bishop Gilpin nursery does not give a child priority for a place in the main school. Reception places are allocated according to the school's formal admissions policy, which focuses on siblings, faith commitment, and distance.
As a state school, there are no tuition fees. However, wraparound care (breakfast and after school clubs) is chargeable. The BG Badgers after school care costs £30.00 per day for regular users, while shorter sessions range from £12 to £22. Nursery funding is available through government schemes for eligible families.
Leavers move to a variety of high performing schools. Common state destinations include Ricards Lodge, Rutlish, and Saint Cecilia's. A significant proportion of students also move into the selective grammar system or secure bursaries for local independent senior schools like Wimbledon High or King's College School.
Get in touch with the school directly
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