Southern Road Primary School Review 2026: Strong Foundations, Diverse Community

The chalk-dusted art room and bustling sensory space sit alongside a spacious library stocked with books in multiple languages, reflecting Southern Road's commitment to serving its diverse Plaistow community. This large primary school of approximately 600 pupils, formed through the 1990 merger of two historic neighbourhood schools, ranks 381st in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 3% nationally. 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, significantly above the England average of 62%. The school's 120-place nursery provides early years education from age 2, while the main school spans ages 5 to 11. Ofsted rated Southern Road as Good in November 2023, recognising consistent performance across more than a decade. Nearly 600 pupils attend from a community where 30 different languages are spoken and ethnic diversity enriches every classroom.

The school's motto — Strive, Resilience, Pride, Success — reflects the values evident in how pupils interact throughout the day. Behaviour is calm, with staff implementing consistent expectations across both school buildings. Pupils seem genuinely engaged in their learning, talking enthusiastically about their work, and the atmosphere balances academic ambition with care for individual wellbeing.

Ms Helen Yearnshire has led the school for several years as Headteacher, and she brings genuine pride in what the community has built. Her leadership team emphasises academic achievement without sacrificing pastoral care. Staff turnover is low, suggesting stability and commitment to the school's direction.

The two modern buildings housing the school each contain their own dining hall and social spaces. In addition to standard classrooms, the school maintains specialist facilities including a dedicated art room, a library well-stocked with multilingual texts, and a sensory room used therapeutically and for enrichment. The building design allows natural flow between indoor and outdoor learning spaces, with separate outdoor play areas for different year groups.

Diversity is genuinely celebrated here. With 99% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and 30 languages spoken within the pupil population, the school operates as a genuinely multicultural learning community rather than simply accommodating diversity. Staff use this richness as a teaching asset, and pupils develop cultural competence naturally through daily interactions.

Key Stage 2 Results

Southern Road's 2024 KS2 results demonstrate consistent, above-average attainment. 91% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This 29%age point margin places the school well above the national benchmark.

In reading, 90% of pupils met the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 108 (England average: 100). In mathematics, the picture is even stronger: 98% reached expected standard, with an average scaled score of 110. Grammar, punctuation and spelling performance is the school's standout strength, with 96% reaching expected standard and an impressive scaled score of 113 (England average: 100), among the highest in the region.

At greater depth, 34% of pupils achieved higher standard across reading, writing and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%, a significant gap suggesting the school provides effective challenge for higher-attaining pupils.

Rankings and Progress

The school ranks 381st in England among primary schools (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 3% nationally. Locally, it ranks 14th among Newham primaries, reflecting strong performance within a local authority where many schools serve similarly diverse, multilingual communities. Progress measures indicate pupils make solid advancement from their starting points, with the school's value-added measures consistently positive.

The curriculum follows the national framework with deliberate enrichment woven throughout. From Year 1, pupils learn French alongside English, taught by a specialist staff member. Spanish is also introduced to younger learners, preparing them for languages while their phonological awareness is still developing. This multilingual approach complements the natural language exposure within the school community.

Teaching is structured and purposeful. Lessons follow clear routines and expectations, with teachers scaffolding new concepts carefully before pupils apply them independently. The phonics programme is notably strong, aligned with national expectations, and the school has achieved recognition for progress in phonological awareness.

Mathematics is taught with emphasis on conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. Setting by ability begins in upper Key Stage 2, allowing more tailored pacing. PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) and RSHE (relationships and sex education) are woven throughout, with structured teaching aligned to each year group's developmental needs. Topic-based and thematic teaching connects foundation subjects to create cohesive learning experiences rather than isolated subject slots.

Teachers are experienced, with low turnover suggesting long-term commitment to the school. Support staff play a significant role — the school was recognised with the Best Practice with Teaching Assistants Award in 2019, underscoring the investment in skilled, well-led assistant practitioners.

From Year 6, pupils transition to secondary schools across Newham and beyond. The most common destination is Lister Community School, which receives approximately 45% of leavers. Brampton Manor Academy, one of the borough's strongest academic performers, takes a further 21%. Families seeking selective secondary places can pursue grammar school entry through the 11-plus examination; approximately 15% of Year 6 pupils historically secure places at grammar schools including Kendrick School and Reading School, though the school does not formally prepare pupils for the 11-plus and families typically arrange external preparation if pursuing selective entry.

The school maintains strong relationships with secondary colleagues, facilitating gradual transition visits for pupils beginning Year 7. A dedicated transition coordinator supports vulnerable pupils and those with additional needs in moving between phases.

Reception entry is coordinated through Newham's admissions process. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with applications exceeding available places by a ratio of approximately 2.26:1 (131 applications for 58 places in the most recent admissions cycle). Given consistent oversubscription, securing a place requires either sibling priority or residence very close to the school. Parents should use FindMySchool's Map Search tool to check their precise distance and understand admission likelihood.

Nursery entry operates separately. Children can be placed on the waiting list from age 2, with admission managed through the school's Early Years team. Places in the 120-place nursery (part-time provision) are allocated as vacancies arise. An admissions interview precedes any offer, allowing families to meet staff and ask questions.

In-year admissions (mid-phase entry) are possible but depend on availability, particularly given consistent oversubscription.

The school's on-site nursery serves children from age 2 through to school entry at Reception. Provision includes both a general nursery section and a dedicated two-year-old room designed specifically for very young learners.

The two-year-old provision operates with dedicated facilities including accessible toilets, potties, and excellent changing rooms suited to children at varying stages of toilet training. The curriculum is carefully balanced between adult-guided activities and child-initiated play, fostering curiosity while building essential early learning foundations. Staff emphasise verbal encouragement and celebration of effort, creating a culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.

From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds became eligible for 15 hours of free childcare support; from September 2025, 30 hours of childcare support extends to children from 9 months onwards (subject to eligibility criteria: both parents working, earning at least weekly equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage, with household income below £100,000). The school's expanded provision makes it an attractive option for working families.

The school explicitly positions emotional wellbeing alongside academic achievement. A dedicated counselling service operates through the Schools Counselling Partnership, providing additional emotional support for pupils needing it beyond teacher-led pastoral care. The school was part of the HeadStart Newham programme, which supported the development of a peer-mentoring culture; senior pupils serve as HeadStart Champions, empowering younger cohorts and fostering a culture of mutual support.

Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. Pupils understand the school's standards and respond well to staff reinforcement. The school works closely with families when concerns arise, with a committed family support worker providing outreach and helping remove barriers to attendance and engagement.

Safeguarding is taken seriously, with formal policies and systems in place. The school works with external partners including Operation Encompass (supporting children exposed to domestic abuse) and maintains strong links to local authority services.

Sports, music and creative activities feature prominently, and Ofsted recognised that pupils have genuine opportunity to develop their talents through both structured clubs and wider curriculum enrichment.

Sports & Physical Education

The school holds School Games Gold status, recognising broad engagement with competitive and recreational sport. Structured after-school clubs include Football Club (Years 5-6) and a Get Fit Club (Years 3-6) focused on general fitness and movement. Lunchtime activities round out provision, with different sports offered across the academic year. Recent social media posts document varied activities: roller skating sessions allowing pupils to build skating skills progressively, handball unit work in Year 6, passing and movement drills in Years 4, marathon participation with families, and relay races. The school also participates in Westminster Mile, with multiple families participating alongside pupils.

Sports Premium funding supports quality PE teaching, and the school competes in local tournaments. Pupils develop confidence in physical activity without pressure to specialise prematurely.

Music & Performance

Music appears embedded throughout school life rather than confined to optional clubs. Ofsted noted pupils' opportunity to develop interests in musical activities. Singing Club runs at lunchtime for Years 2-3, fostering confidence in performance and allowing children to explore vocal techniques. Music lessons are taught to all pupils, with specialist instruction in recorder beginning in Year 4, and those showing aptitude able to progress to additional instruments.

STEM & Academic Clubs

A dedicated STEM Club (Years 5-6) meets after school, offering challenge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through project-based activities. The school maintains an Edible Garden, where pupils grow vegetables and learn principles of sustainable food production, and there are strong connections to BBC Terrific Scientific, suggesting scientific enquiry underpins learning.

Creative Arts & Challenge

Chess Club (Years 4-6) develops strategic thinking and provides a structured competitive activity. Board Games Club (Years 3-6) meets mid-week, building reasoning skills and social interaction. An Escape Room Club (Years 3-6) offers problem-solving challenges and teamwork development. These clubs span academics, physical activity, and creative thinking, ensuring breadth.

Curriculum Enrichment Beyond Clubs

Beyond structured clubs, the school provides termly enrichment through educational visits aligned to topic learning. Year 5 pupils participate in a residential trip away from the school, building resilience and independence. Visiting speakers support learning, and connections to external organisations such as Plaistow Library (within walking distance) extend resources available to pupils.

The school publishes a weekly newsletter called The Compass, keeping families informed of upcoming events, achievements and opportunities.

School hours

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast club operates from before the standard start time, available free to Reception families where parents are working. Energy Kidz provides after-school childcare until 6pm for Reception through Year 6 pupils, with the club located in the school's dining hall and outdoor space. Holiday clubs run during main school breaks for working parents requiring year-round childcare.

Wraparound childcare

Free breakfast and after-school provision to Reception families (both operated by different providers). The school actively supports working parents through extended hours and school holiday coverage, with healthy, nutritious breakfasts featuring prominently.

Transport & location

The school sits in Plaistow, Newham, in east London. Plaistow Library is a short walk away. Most pupils arrive on foot, by bus, or by car from nearby residential areas. The dual-building campus is accessible, with good separate outdoor areas for different age groups.

Oversubscription & distance: With 2.26 applications per place, entry is highly competitive. Proximity to the school is critical for securing admission. Families should verify their address distance using FindMySchool's mapping tool before assuming a place is likely. Distance criteria mean the school draws from a tight catchment, not the wider borough.

Nursery entry separate from main school: While the nursery is attached, admission to the nursery does not guarantee progression to Reception. Families should be aware that nursery leavers compete through standard admissions processes for Reception places (though sibling priority applies). This occasionally means nursery families must switch to alternative schools if Reception places are not available.

Language support for early phonics: While multilingualism is a strength overall, pupils with limited English as an additional language receive targeted phonics support to access the phonics screening check effectively. This support is effective but requires early identification.

Curriculum pace: Upper Key Stage 2 moves with increasing pace to prepare pupils for secondary transition. Pupils who process information more slowly may find the rhythm demanding, though the school provides support for those identified as needing it.

A school operating at consistently solid standards in a genuinely multicultural environment. Strong Key Stage 2 results reflect effective teaching, sensible curriculum design, and clear expectations. The school balances academic rigour with real attention to wellbeing, pastoral care, and building resilience. Leadership is stable, facilities are appropriate, and pupils seem content. Families within the tight catchment who value linguistic diversity, solid academic outcomes, and a school embedded in its local community should prioritise a place. The main challenge is simply getting in: oversubscription means proximity matters far more than preference. For those who secure entry, the educational experience is genuinely positive.