Greenleaf Primary School Review 2026: A Walthamstow Powerhouse of Primary Excellence

Greenleaf Primary School stands as a significant academic landmark in the heart of Walthamstow, serving a diverse community from its site on Greenleaf Road. The 2024 academic data secures its position in the top 10% of schools in England, a ranking that places it among the highest performers in the local authority. As a two-form entry school with an integrated nursery, it provides a stable educational journey for 420 pupils plus early years learners. The leadership team has cultivated an environment where high expectations meet a supportive community ethos, resulting in outcomes that consistently outpace both London and England averages.

The atmosphere at Greenleaf is one of purposeful energy. Situated in a busy residential area of Waltham Forest, the school feels like a calm and focused hub of learning. The Victorian architecture of the main buildings has been carefully adapted to modern primary needs, maintaining a sense of historical continuity while providing the digital and creative spaces required for a contemporary curriculum.

Ms Sohana Qureshi has led the school as Headteacher since September 2020, having previously served as the Deputy Head. Her leadership has maintained a trajectory of strong performance and deep community engagement. The school character is defined by its inclusive approach; it is a mainstream state school that successfully integrates a wide variety of backgrounds and needs. This is not a school that relies on its past successes, but one that appears to be in a constant state of refinement. The latest Ofsted report in July 2022 rated the school Good overall, with the Early Years provision awarded the top Outstanding grade. Inspectors noted that pupils are happy and safe, enjoying a curriculum that is both ambitious and well ordered.

The 2024 results tell a story of exceptional academic achievement. In reading, writing, and mathematics combined, 87% of pupils reached the expected standard, which is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. This high level of attainment is consistent across individual subjects, with reading reaching 92% and mathematics at 88%.

The school sits in a high tier of performance, ranking 836th in England and 9th among all primary schools in Waltham Forest. This is a proprietary FindMySchool ranking based on official data, placing Greenleaf in the top 10% of schools in England for primary outcomes.

Even more striking is the percentage of pupils achieving the higher standard. At Greenleaf, 47% of pupils reached the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. When compared to the England average of 8%, the sheer scale of the academic impact becomes clear. In writing, 41% of pupils achieved greater depth, reflecting a curriculum that pushes beyond basic competency toward genuine mastery.

Teaching at Greenleaf is characterised by high density and expert delivery. The curriculum is broad and balanced, but there is an unmistakable emphasis on core literacy and numeracy as the foundations for all other learning. In reading, the average scaled score of 110 (against an England average of 105) indicates that pupils are not just meeting standards but are being stretched.

The school utilizes its local London context to enrich the curriculum, making frequent use of museums, galleries, and local history to bring subjects to life. Specialist teaching is employed where it adds most value, particularly in music and physical education. The integrated nursery provision ensures that the Greenleaf approach begins at age three, allowing for a seamless transition into Reception where the foundations of phonics and early number work are already established.

As a local authority community school, the majority of Greenleaf pupils transition to secondary schools within Waltham Forest. Common destinations include Kelmscott School, Walthamstow School for Girls, and Willowfield School. The school maintains strong links with these providers to ensure that the academic momentum built at primary level is not lost during the move to Year 7.

A significant cohort of families also looks toward the selective and semi-selective options in neighbouring boroughs or the independent sector. The school provides robust support for these transitions, ensuring that records and progress data are shared effectively to support pupil placement.

Greenleaf is a heavily oversubscribed school. In the 2024 intake cycle, there were 289 applications for just 59 offers, representing a subscription proportion of nearly five applicants for every place. Admissions are managed by Waltham Forest Local Authority according to their standard criteria: looked after children, siblings, and then distance.

In 2024, the last distance offered was 0.244 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Given the density of the surrounding Walthamstow streets, families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates before applying. For 2026 entry, the application deadline is 15 January 2026.

The school approach to pastoral care is proactive. With a large pupil body, the school utilizes a system of phase leaders and pastoral support workers to ensure no child is lost in the crowd. Behaviour is managed through a clear, positive reinforcement system that pupils understand and respect.

For pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the school provides targeted support through its inclusion team. While it does not have designated special classes, the mainstream environment is adapted through high quality first teaching and specific interventions in speech, language, and social skills. Staff work closely with external specialists to ensure that every child can access the full curriculum.

Extracurricular life at Greenleaf is varied and well attended. The school offers a range of clubs including the Greenleaf Choir, which performs locally, and various sports teams including football and netball. The Extra-Curricular Clubs and Activities programme is designed to offer something for everyone, from creative arts to physical challenges.

STEM is a particular area of strength, with a curriculum that encourages innovation and logical thinking. The school allotment provides a practical space for learning about biology and sustainability, while the school council and Eco Schools initiatives allow pupils to take on leadership roles.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Greenleaf provides essential wraparound care for working families. Breakfast Club runs from 7:45am to 8:45am at a cost of £5.50 per session. After School Club operates from 3:20pm to 6:00pm, costing £12.50. These sessions are led by qualified staff and provide a healthy menu alongside activities like junk modelling, board games, and outdoor play.

The school is well served by public transport, located within walking distance of Walthamstow Central station. Parking in the immediate vicinity is extremely limited due to local residents parking schemes, so walking or scooting is the primary mode of arrival for most families.

• Exceptional Competition for Places: With nearly five applicants for every place and a successful entry distance of less than a quarter of a mile in 2024, Greenleaf is one of the most difficult schools to get into in Walthamstow. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
• Outstanding Early Years: The nursery provision is a major asset, having been rated Outstanding by Ofsted. However, a place in the nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school.
• Urban Site: Being in a dense residential area, outdoor space is utilized creatively but is inherently more compact than rural counterparts. The school manages this through structured play and initiatives like OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning).

Greenleaf Primary School is an academic engine room that manages to maintain a warm, community focused heart. Its results are undeniably elite, outperforming many independent alternatives, yet it remains a true local school. It is best suited to families living in the immediate vicinity of Greenleaf Road who value a rigorous, high achieving environment that does not compromise on the breadth of the primary experience. The main challenge for parents is the geographical lottery of the admission distance.