Salisbury Primary School Review 2026: High Academic Achievement in the Heart of Newham

Situated on High Street North in Manor Park, Salisbury Primary School is a large, three-form entry state school that serves a vibrant and diverse East London community. While its red-brick exterior and busy urban setting might suggest a typical metropolitan primary, its academic results tell a far more remarkable story. In 2024, the school achieved Key Stage 2 outcomes that place it comfortably within the top 5% of all primary schools in England.

Led by Head Teacher Ms Andrea Choppy, the school provides a structured and ambitious environment for approximately 630 pupils. With its own nursery provision on-site, Salisbury Primary offers a continuous educational journey from age two through to eleven. The school maintains a Good rating from Ofsted, with inspectors recently noting the calm, purposeful atmosphere that permeates the classrooms and corridors.

The atmosphere at Salisbury Primary is one of quiet determination and orderly enthusiasm. Despite its location on a major Newham thoroughfare, the school manages to feel like a self-contained haven of learning. The school motto, Enriching Lives, Aiming High, is evident in the high expectations staff hold for every child, regardless of their starting point.

The school is part of the Newham community in every sense, reflecting the local area's linguistic and cultural richness. This diversity is celebrated through a curriculum that seeks to broaden horizons while maintaining a laser-like focus on the core skills of literacy and numeracy. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful and warm; children appear genuinely engaged with their work and proud of their achievements.

The academic performance at Salisbury Primary is, by any measure, exceptional. In 2024, 90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. Such a high success rate is a testament to the school's rigorous approach to the core curriculum.

At the higher standard, the school is even more distinctive. A remarkable 39% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to an England average of just 8%. This indicates that Salisbury Primary is not just helping pupils pass, but is actively pushing a large proportion of its cohort toward academic excellence.

Ranked 645th in England (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the elite tier of primary outcomes. Locally, it ranks 17th among all primaries in Newham, placing it firmly within the top 10% of schools in England. Average scaled scores of 109 in reading and 110 in mathematics further confirm that Salisbury Primary pupils are performing well above the England average.

Teaching at Salisbury Primary is characterised by strong subject knowledge and a highly structured approach to lesson delivery. The curriculum is designed to be cumulative, ensuring that pupils build on what they have learned in previous years. There is a heavy emphasis on vocabulary development and oracy, which is particularly beneficial given the high proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language.

The school utilizes specialist teaching in certain areas to ensure depth. Music and physical education are taught with energy and expertise, while the mathematics curriculum follows a mastery approach that encourages pupils to think deeply about numerical relationships. The nursery provision, catering to children from age two, ensures that the youngest learners are introduced to routines and early phonics in a play-based yet purposeful setting.

As a state primary school in Newham, the majority of pupils transition to local secondary schools such as Little Ilford School, Plashet School, or St Angela's Ursuline. The school works closely with these providers to ensure a smooth transition, particularly for pupils with additional needs.

Given the school's high academic standing, a number of pupils also find success in applications to selective grammar schools in neighbouring boroughs or highly competitive faith-based secondaries. The school provides robust support for the transition process, helping families navigate the Newham secondary admissions system with confidence.

Admissions to Salisbury Primary are coordinated by the London Borough of Newham. For Reception entry, the school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent cycle, there were 158 applications for 59 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.68. This means there are nearly three applications for every available desk.

While every child with a first preference for the school who was eligible for a place received an offer, the high volume of applications suggests that families should apply promptly and list the school as their first choice to maximize their chances. Families can use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their proximity to the school gate, as distance is a primary factor in local authority allocations.

Pastoral care is a visible strength at Salisbury Primary. The school operates a clear and consistent behaviour policy that emphasizes positive reinforcement and personal responsibility. There is a strong sense of safety within the school; children know who to talk to if they have concerns, and the safeguarding culture is described by external observers as being robust and effective.

The school provides a range of support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring that they are fully integrated into the life of the school while receiving the specific interventions they require. Staff are trained to spot early signs of emotional distress, and the school works closely with external agencies to provide specialized support where necessary.

Extracurricular life at Salisbury Primary is designed to provide pupils with experiences they might not otherwise access. The school offers a range of clubs that run before and after the school day, including the Salisbury Choir, coding club, and various sports teams.

STEM Excellence

STEM excellence is a growing priority, with pupils participating in science fairs and coding challenges that utilize the school's digital resources. Competitive sport is also encouraged, with the school regularly fielding teams in Newham-wide primary leagues for football and athletics. These activities are viewed as essential for building the confidence and resilience that complement the school's high academic standards.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Salisbury Primary offers both a breakfast club and after-school provision to support working parents, though places are limited and should be booked in advance.

For the nursery, government-funded hours (15 or 30 hours) are available for eligible families. Parents can access the school via several bus routes along High Street North, and Manor Park station (Elizabeth Line) is within walking distance.

• Oversubscribed status: With 2.68 applications for every place, securing a spot in Reception is competitive. Families living further away may find it difficult to gain entry in years where local sibling numbers are high.
• Urban setting: The school is located on a very busy high street. While the interior is calm, the immediate surroundings are bustling and urban, which might not suit those seeking a quiet, leafy school environment.
• High academic pace: The school's outstanding results are the product of a fast-paced and demanding curriculum. While most pupils thrive here, it is an environment that prioritizes academic progress and structured learning.

Salisbury Primary School is a powerhouse of primary education in East London. It successfully combines a nurturing community feel with academic outcomes that rival the best schools in the country. It is best suited to families who want a school that will push their child to achieve the highest possible standards in a structured, orderly environment. For those who can secure a place, the educational value offered here is exceptional.