Park Primary School, London Review 2026: A large Stratford primary with strong KS2 outcomes and standout personal development

A school where pupils say they cannot wait to come back after long holidays signals something important about daily experience. The most recent inspection describes a happy, kind culture, with adults who know pupils well and a curriculum built to include newcomers who arrive mid-year, including children with little or no English at first.

Academically, Key Stage 2 outcomes are a strength. In 2024, 77.67% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, and 32% achieved the higher standard. On FindMySchool’s primary outcomes ranking (based on official data), the school is ranked 2,981st in England and 39th in Newham, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

Admission pressure is real. The most recent admissions data shows 231 applications for 90 offers for Reception entry, which equates to 2.57 applications per place.

The tone, consistently, is one of warmth paired with clear expectations. Pupils are taught how to behave and look after others from the early years onwards, and the same report highlights very strong relationships between pupils and adults, which tends to be the foundation for calm routines and confident learning.

A defining part of this school’s identity is its commitment to inclusion in a high-mobility context. Many children join outside the usual entry points, sometimes mid-phase, and leaders prioritise tailored English language support so pupils can access the broader curriculum quickly. For families new to the area, or those arriving in-year, that matters. It suggests systems built for transition rather than assuming every child has followed the same path since Nursery or Reception.

Behaviour and personal development are described as standout features, with pupils learning about diversity, respect, and consent in age-appropriate ways. The social dimension is not treated as an add-on; it appears deliberately taught and reinforced through routines, curriculum content, and enrichment.

Key Stage 2 outcomes in 2024 present a positive picture, particularly for a large, urban primary serving a changing intake.

• Expected standard (reading, writing and mathematics combined): 77.67% in 2024, compared with an England average of 62%.

• Higher standard (reading, writing and mathematics combined): 32%, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Reading expected standard: 81%, mathematics expected standard: 78%, GPS expected standard: 78%.

• Average scaled scores: reading 107, mathematics 106, GPS 109.

FindMySchool’s ranking, based on official data, places the school 2,981st in England for primary outcomes and 39th in Newham, which equates to performance above England average and within the top quarter nationally.

For parents comparing nearby schools, the FindMySchool Local Hub pages can help you line up these KS2 measures side-by-side, rather than relying on a single headline.

The curriculum is described as ambitious, broad and rich, with subject leaders mapping what pupils should know and when, from early years through to Year 6. Regular professional development is highlighted as part of building staff confidence across subjects, which is particularly relevant in a large school where consistency matters.

Reading has a clear priority. Phonics teaching is described as effective, children begin learning to read early in Reception, and assessment is used to spot who needs to catch up so support can be targeted quickly. The practical implication for families is that children who arrive with gaps, including mid-year joiners, are less likely to drift unnoticed.

Mathematics is an area leaders have been refining, with the report noting that Key Stage 2 mathematics outcomes in 2022 were not as strong, and that the school has been working to strengthen curriculum planning and delivery so pupils catch up quickly. Parents of children who find maths harder may want to ask how intervention works, and how progress is checked term by term.

As a Newham primary, transition to secondary school is governed by coordinated local authority admissions rather than a guaranteed feeder pathway. Families typically choose a cluster of local comprehensive secondary schools, and some consider selective options elsewhere in London depending on the child.

What this school can do well, given its context, is prepare pupils for change. A curriculum that explicitly teaches confidence, consent, respectful relationships, and online safety tends to support smoother transition to Year 7, where independence and social navigation become more demanding.

For families planning ahead, it is worth using FindMySchool’s map tools to shortlist secondaries by realistic travel time and admissions criteria, then sense-check that list against the borough’s published admissions guidance.

This is a state primary with no tuition fees. Reception entry is coordinated by the London Borough of Newham, and families apply through their home local authority even if they hope to attend a school in a different borough.

For September 2026 Reception entry, Newham’s published timeline includes:

• National closing date: 15 January 2026 (23:59)

• Offer day (Newham information): Thursday 16 April 2026

Demand indicators in the latest admissions data suggest competition:

• 231 applications for 90 offers for Reception entry

• 2.57 applications per place, with the route described as oversubscribed

If you are trying to gauge how realistic a place is from your address, use FindMySchoolMap Search to calculate and compare your distance, then sanity-check against borough criteria and recent demand patterns. Remember that admissions outcomes can shift each year depending on cohort size and local movement.

Nursery provision exists in the age range, but nursery attendance does not remove the need to apply for Reception through the local authority process.

Pastoral support is described as a core strength, and the report highlights multiple layers of adult support, including an adult mentor for every Year 6 pupil. That kind of structured mentoring can be especially helpful in a large school, where some children benefit from a consistent relationship with a trusted adult beyond the class teacher.

Safeguarding and online safety are treated as active curriculum content rather than a one-off assembly topic. Pupils learn about risks including online harm and grooming, and the school also offers workshops for parents so home and school messages align.

Enrichment looks purposeful and varied, with clear examples rather than generic claims. Clubs are described as plentiful, with named options including outdoor construction, roller skating, art, and musical production. For children who do not immediately identify as “sporty” or “academic”, this breadth matters because it creates multiple ways to feel competent and seen.

There is also evidence of external partnerships being used to develop talent. One example given is that pupils can audition for scholarships linked to training for musical theatre productions. The practical implication is access: children can encounter pathways they might not meet otherwise, and families get an insight into strengths beyond test scores.

Trips and experiences support the curriculum and wider development, including visits to museums and places of worship, and opportunities such as a poet’s retreat.

The school is in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, with major public transport connections nearby. Stratford is a key London interchange station, which can make commuting workable for some families using public transport.

Wraparound care (breakfast and after-school provision), school day start and finish times, and holiday arrangements should be confirmed directly with the school, as the most accessible public sources do not consistently publish the operational detail parents typically want to compare.

Nursery funding: government-funded early education hours are available for eligible families; check the school’s official information and current borough guidance for how places and sessions are structured.

• Competition for Reception places. The latest admissions data indicates more than two applications per place. Families should plan a realistic spread of preferences, not a single first choice.

• Leadership information can be inconsistent across sources. The inspection in May 2023 names a different headteacher from the current government register entry, which suggests a leadership change since that inspection.

• Outdoor early years provision is an improvement area. The most recent report notes that the outdoor early years approach is not as established as indoor provision. Parents of Nursery and Reception children may want to ask what has changed since then.

• Large-school dynamics. With a high capacity, some children thrive on the scale and social breadth, while others prefer smaller settings. It is worth asking how the school keeps communication personal.

This is a big, busy Stratford primary with a clear emphasis on inclusion, strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and unusually strong evidence around personal development and pupil confidence. It suits families who want a school that actively supports newcomers, values enrichment, and combines academic ambition with clear behavioural expectations. The main challenge is likely to be admission rather than day-to-day quality.