Shaftesbury Primary School Review 2026: High-achieving Forest Gate primary with ambitious early years and a clear learning culture

A primary where academic ambition shows up early, from nursery language-building through to Key Stage 2 outcomes that sit well above England averages. The most recent inspection (11 November 2025) used Ofsted’s newer report-card style and graded Achievement, Curriculum and teaching, and Early years as Exceptional, with the remaining areas at Strong standard; safeguarding standards were met.

Leadership changed recently. A new headteacher, Alma Begum, took up post in September 2025, so current systems and expectations are being led under a fresh tenure.

This is a large primary, with around 637 pupils against a published capacity of 630, and it sits within The Boleyn Trust.

The school’s culture reads as purposeful and consistently structured. Behaviour expectations are framed through the school’s “5cs”, including courtesy, consideration and cooperation, and pupils can explain what these look like in day-to-day interactions.

Early years is a distinctive feature. Language development is treated as foundational, with targeted input for children who start with low communication and language baselines, and routines that keep returning to vocabulary through play and structured learning. The same “build it, revisit it, practise it” rhythm is described across the wider curriculum too, with adults intervening quickly when misconceptions appear.

The local context matters. The inspection report notes that many pupils’ circumstances can present significant barriers to attendance, and the school responds with close family-by-family work and a combination of challenge and support. The implication for parents is that the pastoral model is built for a complex, mobile urban intake rather than a stable, low-need cohort.

The headline Key Stage 2 picture is striking. In 2024, 87.67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 41.33% reached greater depth compared with an England average of 8%. Reading, maths and GPS scaled scores (109, 110 and 112) reinforce the same message: outcomes are consistently strong across the tested core.

Rankings reflect this strength. Ranked 395th in England and 15th in Newham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school sits well above England average, placing it within the top 10% of primaries in England.

These numbers have a practical meaning for families. For pupils who enjoy structured learning, frequent retrieval practice and clear success criteria, this is the sort of setting where progress tends to accelerate because gaps are identified early and addressed before they compound.

Curriculum ambition is not limited to English and maths. The inspection highlights breadth, with examples ranging from Mandarin to physical education, and a strong emphasis on building deep foundational knowledge in every subject before moving to more complex ideas. Teachers’ subject knowledge is described as strong, and assessment is used to decide what pupils should revisit and practise until it is secure.

Early reading is a particular strength. Phonics and early writing are positioned as core building blocks, and the early years approach is tightly linked to Year 1 readiness. For parents of children starting in nursery or Reception, the key implication is that the school is likely to suit pupils who respond well to clear routines and explicit instruction, including children who need rapid catch-up in language.

As a Newham primary, the usual next step is transfer into the borough’s secondary system at Year 7. Families should plan early for this, especially if they are considering schools with particular admissions arrangements or travel implications. The most reliable route is to use the borough’s admissions guidance each year and to check how distance, siblings and any priority categories apply in practice.

The inspection narrative suggests pupils are exceptionally well prepared for secondary school through strong foundational knowledge, especially in reading, writing and mathematics. For children who benefit from being stretched before transition, that preparation can reduce the “Year 7 dip” that sometimes appears when curriculum demands rise sharply.

Reception entry is coordinated through the local authority’s Pan-London process. For children starting Reception in September 2026, Newham states the closing date is 15 January 2026, and emphasises that places cannot be reserved, even where a child attends a nursery linked to the school or has siblings already on roll.

Demand is high. For the Reception route, there were 253 applications for 75 offers, a ratio of 3.37 applications per place, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed. The main implication is that families should approach this as competitive and should use all available preferences on the common application form rather than relying on a single choice.

Offer timing matters too. Under the Pan-London primary admissions scheme used in Newham, outcomes are issued on 16 April 2026, with acceptances requested by 30 April 2026.

Parents comparing options should use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check practical travel distance, then sense-check how that fits with recent demand levels in the borough.

The most recent inspection confirms that safeguarding standards were met, and describes an open safeguarding culture where concerns are actively identified and managed.

Beyond safeguarding, wellbeing support is embedded in everyday routines. Staff are described as alert to issues and quick to resolve problems, with bullying characterised as rare and handled effectively when it arises. Attendance work is also treated as part of wellbeing, with leaders balancing challenge and care depending on family circumstances.

The wider curriculum is used deliberately to build confidence and broaden horizons. The inspection points to clubs, visitors and educational visits as part of a “rich wider curriculum”, and gives concrete examples of pupils learning to make Greek food with professional chefs, taking part in a professional theatre production, and joining a residential trip that includes activities such as caving.

Leadership opportunities are also present. Roles such as sports leaders and participation in a junior leadership team give pupils structured responsibility before the move to secondary school, which can be particularly valuable for children who benefit from clear, coached social leadership rather than informal popularity hierarchies.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the usual costs such as uniform, trips and optional enrichment.

Published sources accessed for this review did not reliably confirm the current school-day start and finish times, or the exact breakfast and after-school care offer. Parents who need wraparound care should check directly with the school before assuming availability, days, or collection times.

• Competition for Reception places. With 3.37 applications per place and an oversubscribed intake, admission is the limiting factor rather than what the school offers once a place is secured.

• A large, busy primary. With around 637 pupils for a 630-capacity site, families seeking a very small-school feel may prefer to compare with smaller local alternatives.

• High expectations can feel intense for some pupils. The curriculum is tightly sequenced and expects pupils to master knowledge securely. For children who need a slower pace, parents should probe how support is delivered in practice.

• Attendance focus is firm. The school’s approach includes challenging conversations when attendance does not improve. This will suit families who want clear boundaries, but it can feel pressured during periods of family disruption.

Shaftesbury Primary School is a high-performing Newham primary with an unusually strong early years engine and a whole-school focus on deep foundational knowledge. Best suited to families who want clear routines, ambitious teaching, and strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and who are prepared to navigate a competitive admissions process.