Roman Road Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence in Newham

Roman Road Primary School stands as a significant academic heavyweight in the heart of East Ham, serving a diverse community within the London Borough of Newham. Despite the urban density of its surroundings, the school has cultivated a reputation for high achievement that rivals the most affluent pockets of the capital. In 2024, the school's Key Stage 2 results were exceptional, with performance metrics that place it among the highest-performing primaries in England.

With a capacity for 630 pupils plus a nursery, this is a large, three-form entry school that manages to maintain a cohesive atmosphere. The school has been under the leadership of Mrs Emma Monaghan since September 2024, who took over from a legacy of high standards and has continued to drive the ambitious expectations that parents in this part of London have come to expect.

The atmosphere at Roman Road is one of quiet, purposeful industry. The school occupies a site that blends traditional architectural elements with a significant modern expansion. In 2016, the school underwent a major redevelopment designed by architects Maccreanor Lavington, which transformed the original one-form entry building into a fully integrated three-form entry facility. This design successfully retained the green open character of the school despite the increased student volume.

Inside, the corridors are used as extensions of the learning environment, often adorned with high-quality pupil work that reflects a curriculum rich in both core subjects and the arts. The school operates with a clear set of values that promote respect and responsibility. While it is a large primary, the structure of the day and the organisation of year-group hubs help to ensure that pupils do not feel lost in the crowd. Each year group is co-located to create smaller-scale home bases, which strengthens creative learning and eases the transition between years.

Integration of the nursery provision is a key feature of the school's character. The early years setting provides a gentle yet structured introduction to school life, allowing the youngest children to share in the school's broader resources while maintaining a secure, age-appropriate environment.

The academic performance at Roman Road Primary School is, by any objective measure, outstanding. In 2024, 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. To put this in context, the England average for the same period was 61% and the Newham average was 74%.

Perhaps more striking is the proportion of pupils achieving at a higher standard. More than a quarter of the Year 6 cohort (28%) reached the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, a figure that dwarfs the England average of 8%. These results are part of a sustained trajectory of high performance, with the school consistently ranking among the top tier of London primaries.

According to FindMySchool proprietary rankings based on official data, Roman Road ranks 375th in England for primary outcomes. Locally, it ranks 13th among 65 primaries in Newham, placing it firmly in the elite tier (top 2.5% of schools in England). Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.

The curriculum at Roman Road is designed with high expectations at its core. Teaching follows clear structures where subject knowledge is presented with precision, and pupils are encouraged to develop deep insights into their topics. The school places a heavy emphasis on literacy and numeracy from the outset, which provides the foundation for the exceptional results seen at the end of Key Stage 2.

In the early years and nursery, the approach is rooted in the EYFS framework but with an early focus on phonics and number sense. Nursery practitioners and teachers work closely to ensure that the transition into Reception is seamless, with a shared understanding of each child's developmental milestones. Specialists are used effectively, particularly in music and physical education, to ensure that the curriculum remains broad and engaging despite the rigorous focus on core academic standards.

Pastoral care is established as a central pillar of the school's operation. With a large pupil population, the school employs a robust system of tracking not just academic progress, but also emotional wellbeing. Each year group has a lead who oversees the general welfare of the pupils, and there is a dedicated team to support children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The school creates a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to be kind and supportive of one another. Behaviour is calm and consistent, which the school attributes to its clear reward systems and the high level of engagement in lessons. Pupils appear genuinely comfortable in their environment. The most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2023 supported this picture, particularly regarding the outstanding provision for personal development and early years.

The extracurricular life at Roman Road is varied and well-attended. The school offers a range of clubs that cater to different interests, from competitive sports squads to creative arts. Music is a particular strength, with several ensembles and opportunities for children to learn various instruments.

STEM excellence is a priority, evidenced by the school's participation in local initiatives and well-resourced facilities that allow for practical experimentation beyond the standard primary curriculum. The school also makes good use of its London location, with regular trips to museums and galleries to enrich the humanities and arts programmes. The 2016 expansion added a new hall and library, providing modern hubs for collective activities and independent study.

Securing a place at Roman Road is a significant challenge for local families. The school is oversubscribed; for a recent intake, there were 69 applications for just 25 available places in the main entry point. This high demand is reflected in the subscription proportion of 2.76, meaning nearly three families apply for every available seat.

Admissions for Reception are coordinated by Newham Local Authority. The deadline for on-time applications is 15 January 2026, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2026. After priority is given to looked-after children and those with specific medical or social needs, places are typically allocated based on sibling priority and then proximity to the school. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends.

For the nursery, entry typically begins at age three. While attending the nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school, it provides a familiar pathway for many local families. Note that Newham has recently consulted on reducing the Published Admission Number (PAN) for the school in coming years due to shifting demographics, which may make entry even more competitive.

Fees & Financial Aid

As Roman Road is a state-funded community school, there are no tuition fees for children in Reception through Year 6.

For the nursery, all children aged three and four are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week. Families meeting specific eligibility criteria may be able to access 30 hours of funded provision. Parents interested in additional hours or those not qualifying for the extended funding should contact the school directly for current pricing and availability.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Roman Road provides comprehensive wraparound care to support working families. Breakfast club starts at 7:30am and costs £3.50 per day, including a variety of food options from the school kitchen. The after-school club runs until 5:45pm and costs £8.00 per day for regular attendees, with short-notice bookings charged at £13.00.

Transport links are convenient, with East Ham station (District and Hammersmith & City lines) within walking distance. Several local bus routes serve the area. While parking is limited on the residential streets, the school’s inviting new entrance on Roman Road, created during the 2016 expansion, provides a clear and safe point of arrival for families walking to the site.

• Extreme Competition for Places: With nearly three applications for every offer, Roman Road is one of the most in-demand schools in the borough. Families must be aware that living in the locality does not guarantee admission.
• High Academic Pace: The school's elite ranking in England is built on a rigorous curriculum. While this suits many, pupils who require more time to consolidate learning may find the environment demanding.
• Recent PAN Reductions: Newham's decision to reduce the number of Reception places from 60 to 30 for the 2026/27 academic year will significantly increase the difficulty of securing a place.
• Large School Scaled to Hubs: Although the school has a capacity for 630, the architectural design into smaller home bases mitigates the feeling of a large institution, though the site remains very active.

Roman Road Primary School is an academic powerhouse that consistently delivers results in the top 2.5% of schools in England. It manages to balance this rigorous intellectual ambition with a modern, well-designed environment and a supportive pastoral framework. It is best suited to families who value high academic standards and want a school that will challenge their children to reach the higher standard of the national curriculum. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.