Phoenix Primary School Review 2026: Top 2% Results in Inner London

On the Old Kent Road, where Victorian warehouses and modern housing estates sit side by side, Phoenix Primary occupies a purpose-built site serving one of London's most diverse communities. The school's 2024 KS2 results place it 260th in England out of over 15,000 primaries, firmly in the elite tier at the top 2%. In Southwark, only two primaries achieve higher. With 93% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, these figures exceed the England average by over 30%age points.

This is a three-form entry school with nursery provision, meaning approximately 90 children per year group plus nursery places for three and four year olds. The site at Marlborough Grove forms part of the Mayflower Federation, sharing leadership and resources with nearby Friars Primary. Together, the schools serve families across the SE1 postcode, an area where private rents push £2,000 monthly and affordable housing remains scarce.

The 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding in all areas, noting that pupils arrive eager to learn and staff expectations remain consistently high. At morning drop-off, children stream through gates speaking a chorus of home languages. Over 40 languages are represented across the school. English is an additional language for the majority, yet results demonstrate that language barriers do not limit achievement.

Inside, corridors display work that reflects genuine pride. Year 6 persuasive writing sits alongside Reception mark-making. The school values, Resilience, Respect and Responsibility, appear throughout. These are not decorative words. Behaviour systems reference them explicitly, and pupils use the language naturally when describing their learning.

Mrs Fiona Hammans leads the federation as Executive Headteacher, supported by a Head of School at each site. Staff stability is notable. Teachers speak of professional development opportunities through federation networks, and several members of the current team attended Phoenix themselves as children in the 1990s.

The building itself is functional rather than architecturally distinguished. Extended and refurbished over two decades, it provides bright classrooms, a library, a hall that doubles for lunch and assemblies, and a playground with markings for active games. The nursery occupies a dedicated wing with its own outdoor space and direct street access.

In 2024, 93% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This performance places Phoenix 260th in England for primary outcomes and 3rd among 87 primaries in Southwark, placing it among the highest performing in England at the top 2%.

Reading shows particular strength. The average scaled score of 111 exceeds the England average of 100, with 97% reaching expected standard and 55% achieving the higher score. Mathematics tells a similar story: average scaled score of 110, with 97% at expected standard and 58% at the higher score. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results reach 94% at expected standard, with 64% achieving the higher score.

At the higher standard, 47% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 8%. This gap between Phoenix and typical national performance demonstrates the school's ability to stretch pupils well beyond minimum expectations.

Science results at 89% meeting expected standard exceed the England average of 82%. The school benefits from specialist science teaching from Year 3 upwards, with a dedicated preparation room allowing practical experiments that bring curriculum content to life.

The curriculum follows the national framework with careful sequencing. Phonics teaching begins in nursery and continues through Year 2 using a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Reading books match phonics stages precisely, ensuring pupils can decode the texts they take home.

Mathematics teaching emphasises mastery. All pupils study the same content at the same time, with tasks adapted for different starting points. Setting does not occur. Instead, teachers provide scaffolding for those needing support and extension challenges for those ready to deepen understanding. This approach stems from research showing that early grouping can limit expectations.

French teaching begins in Year 3, delivered by a specialist teacher. By Year 6, pupils hold simple conversations and write short paragraphs. Computing receives similar specialist input, with a dedicated suite allowing whole-class coding lessons.

Class sizes average 30, the maximum permitted for Key Stage 1 and typical for Key Stage 2. Each class has a teaching assistant for morning literacy and numeracy sessions. Pupils describe teachers who explain clearly, provide multiple examples, and refuse to accept sloppy work.

The school day includes daily reading time beyond English lessons. Pupils read independently for 20 minutes after lunch, a practice research links to improved comprehension and vocabulary development. The library, restocked in 2022, contains over 8,000 titles chosen to reflect the school's cultural diversity.

Each class has a consistent teacher and teaching assistant, providing stability. The SENCO works full-time and coordinates support for approximately 95 pupils on the SEN register. Provision includes in-class support, small group interventions for phonics and mathematics, and individual plans for those with Education, Health and Care Plans.

A family support worker based at the school helps with attendance, uniform costs, and connections to external services. Free school meals eligibility sits above 50%, and the school ensures no child misses trips or residential visits due to cost. The Pupil Premium is used to fund music lessons, breakfast club places, and additional teaching assistant hours.

Behaviour is calm and purposeful. A clear system of expectations applies throughout, with rewards for following them and consequences for choosing not to. Exclusions are rare. When behaviour challenges arise, investigation typically reveals unmet needs, and adjustments follow.

Mental health support includes a counsellor visiting two days weekly. Sessions are available for children experiencing anxiety, bereavement, or family difficulties. Staff training in trauma-informed practice reflects the reality that some pupils face significant challenges outside school gates.

Extracurricular clubs run Monday to Thursday after school, changing each half-term. Current offerings include football, netball, dance, choir, art, chess, and coding. Clubs are free, removing financial barriers to participation. Approximately two-thirds of pupils attend at least one club weekly.

Music provision is strong. All Year 4 pupils learn ukulele through a borough music service partnership. Those showing interest can continue with guitar, keyboard, or singing in small groups. The school choir performs at local care homes and the Southwark Music Festival.

Sport follows the national curriculum, supplemented by specialist coaches for gymnastics and dance. The school fields teams in local competitions for football, netball, and athletics. While elite sporting success is not the focus, participation is. Every child swims by the end of Year 6, with weekly lessons at a nearby leisure centre.

Annual highlights include a Year 6 residential to the Isle of Wight, whole-school book weeks, a Christmas production involving every year group, and Sports Day at Burgess Park. Year 5 and 6 pupils can join the School Council, representing their classes and contributing to decisions about playground equipment and charity fundraising.

Admissions are coordinated by Southwark Council. Applications must be submitted online by 15 January for Reception entry in the following September. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 116 applications for 46 Reception places in 2024. This represents 2.5 applications per place, reflecting strong local demand.

After looked-after children, previously looked-after children, and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated by straight-line distance from the school gates. There is no sibling priority. There is no catchment boundary. The furthest distance offered varies annually based on where applicants live. In recent years, the last distance offered has fluctuated between 0.3 and 0.6 miles, though Southwark does not publish this figure officially. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates, understanding that living very close is typically necessary to secure a place. Property rental and purchase decisions based on school proximity should be made cautiously, as distances offered can shift year to year.

Nursery admission follows a separate process managed by the school. Nursery places do not guarantee progression to Reception. Families must apply through the Southwark coordinated admissions process regardless of nursery attendance. However, many nursery children do secure Reception places due to proximity, as families choosing the nursery often live nearby.

The nursery serves three and four year olds, offering morning and afternoon sessions. All eligible three and four year olds can access 15 hours of government-funded early education weekly. Working families may qualify for 30 hours. For current nursery fees beyond funded hours, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for details.

The nursery operates term-time only, with sessions running 8:45am to 11:45am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Children attend either mornings, afternoons, or both, depending on family needs and funded hours. The setting is bright and well-resourced, with areas for role play, construction, mark-making, and outdoor exploration. A qualified teacher leads the nursery team, supported by experienced early years practitioners.

Transition to Reception is carefully managed for nursery pupils, though families must apply through Southwark admissions. Nursery staff liaise with Reception teachers, sharing assessments and insights. For children joining Reception from external nurseries, transition days occur in July.

The majority of pupils progress to secondary schools in Southwark and neighbouring boroughs. Popular destinations include Ark Globe Academy, Bacon's College, and Harris Academy Peckham. Some families pursue selective options, with a small number securing places at grammar schools in Sutton or independent schools through bursary programmes.

The school provides familiarisation with reasoning and problem-solving tasks but does not offer intensive 11-plus preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange external tutoring. In recent cohorts, fewer than five pupils per year have secured grammar places, reflecting both the school's comprehensive ethos and the limited number of grammar schools accessible from SE1.

Transition support begins in Year 6 with visits from secondary school staff, open evening information sessions for parents, and discussions about applications. The Head of School meets with every Year 6 family to discuss options and complete application forms if requested. Pupils visit their secondary schools in July, easing anxiety about the move.

School day: 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday to Friday. Gates open at 8:40am. Late arrival after 9:00am requires signing in at the office. Nursery sessions: 8:45am to 11:45am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

Breakfast club runs from 7:45am, offering cereal, toast, and fruit in a supervised setting before the school day begins. After-school club operates until 6:00pm, providing snacks, games, and quiet spaces for homework. Both clubs are chargeable, with Pupil Premium pupils receiving subsidised or free places. Bookings are made through the school office, with payment required in advance.

The school is located off the Old Kent Road, a busy arterial route served by multiple bus routes including the 1, 53, 172, and 453. The nearest stations are Elephant & Castle (Northern and Bakerloo lines, 15 minutes walk) and Surrey Quays (Overground, 12 minutes walk). Many families arrive on foot or by bus. There is no parking on site. Street parking is restricted by residents' permits.

Uniform consists of navy jumper or cardigan, white polo shirt, grey or black trousers or skirt, and black shoes. PE kit is a plain white t-shirt and black shorts. The school operates a uniform exchange for families needing support. Branded items can be purchased online, though plain equivalents from supermarkets are explicitly accepted.

Tight catchment. With 2.5 applications for every place and no sibling priority, securing a Reception place requires living very close to the school gates. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families further than half a mile should consider multiple options.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee Reception entry. Many families assume nursery places lead automatically to school places. They do not. The admissions process is entirely separate, and families must apply through Southwark Council. Disappointment when nursery children do not secure Reception places is common and understandable. The school can only admit according to distance criteria.

High EAL and mobility. Over 40 languages are spoken, and pupil mobility during the school year is higher than in suburban areas due to housing instability. While the school manages this expertly, some families prefer more stable peer groups. For children who struggle with change, frequent classmates arriving and leaving mid-year can be unsettling.

Urban site with limited space. The playground is adequate but compact. There is no playing field. PE lessons occur on the playground or in the hall. Sport is taught effectively, but families seeking extensive sports facilities and fields may look to schools with more spacious grounds.

Elite results in one of London's most complex contexts make Phoenix a standout primary. The combination of rigorous teaching, high expectations, and genuine inclusivity produces outcomes that rival selective and fee-paying schools. 93% meeting expected standards and 47% exceeding them at KS2 reflects teaching quality and curriculum ambition that leave no child behind.

Best suited to families within the very tight catchment who want academically ambitious primary education delivered with warmth and cultural sensitivity. The school suits children ready to work hard, families valuing diversity, and those seeking proof that disadvantage need not limit achievement. The main challenge is securing a place. For families who succeed, the education on offer matches the best in London.