Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, New Malden Review 2026: Catholic primary with strong Key Stage 2 outcomes

Two-form entry scale, a faith-led mission, and a notably strong Key Stage 2 profile shape the experience here. Performance data for 2024 shows 80% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the England average of 62%, alongside a high prior-attainment picture at the top end. The school’s own messaging also leans into breadth: cultural celebration, music and physical education (PE), and structured wraparound options that make the day workable for commuting families.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. What families do compete for is entry, demand data indicates an oversubscribed Reception intake, and the published admissions arrangements prioritise Catholic practice and parish links before distance comes into play.

A clear Catholic identity runs through daily life, not as a bolt-on but as the organising frame for values, relationships, and community expectations. The admissions policy describes the school as part of the Diocese of Southwark and sets out its purpose as serving the Catholic community first, while still welcoming families of other faiths and none who support the ethos.

Cultural and linguistic diversity is presented as a feature rather than a challenge. The school states that 31 languages are spoken, and it highlights celebration of different cultures, faiths and traditions across the year. For parents, the implication is practical: communication, identity, and belonging are likely to be treated seriously, and English as an additional language is a normal part of the school’s mainstream profile rather than a marginal concern.

Leadership has recently changed. Governance information lists Mrs Sarah Norville as headteacher from 1 September 2025. The most recent Ofsted documentation predates that appointment and names Lorraine Dolan-Walsh as headteacher at the time, which matters mainly because families should expect any new head’s priorities to take time to show up in routines, staffing patterns, and curriculum refinement.

There is also a sense of continuity in the wider story. Local historical records note that the school opened in September 1930 in Burlington Road, which gives it the feel of an established parish institution rather than a newer free school-style arrival.

The headline Key Stage 2 story is strong, and it is strongest where parents most want clarity, the combined expected standard.

• In 2024, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 33.33% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores sit comfortably above the typical benchmark of 100, reading 107, maths 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 109.

Rankings provide a second lens. Ranked 2,436th in England and 3rd in New Malden for primary outcomes, this places the school above England average, within the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

A useful way to interpret this for families is consistency rather than a single spike. Results suggest a cohort where secure basics are the norm, and where a meaningful share of pupils move beyond that into higher-standard work. That profile generally correlates with well-sequenced teaching, tight checking for understanding, and prompt intervention when pupils wobble.

Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to line up Key Stage 2 outcomes side-by-side, rather than relying on reputation.

Teaching appears structured around curriculum clarity. The most recent inspection commentary describes a curriculum that identifies essential content in most subjects, with knowledge intended to build systematically. Reading is treated as a priority, and the same report points to a phonics programme supported by staff training and accurate matching of books to sounds pupils know.

In practical terms, that should mean fewer gaps that only show up in Year 6, especially for pupils who do not arrive with strong early literacy. It also matters for pupils learning English, systematic phonics plus carefully matched reading books tends to accelerate confidence, which then unlocks the wider curriculum.

Early years provision sits within the wider school offer rather than feeling separate. The nursery page describes a team of early years teachers and practitioners and outlines a structured session model during term time. It also sets expectations around preparation for Reception, which can make transition smoother for children who need routine and predictability.

As a primary school, the key destination question is secondary transfer at Year 7. The school provides guidance materials about the London co-ordinated process and stresses realistic preference choices, criteria awareness, and the national closing date for applications.

For families, the more specific question is not only where children go, but how well prepared they are to step into a larger setting. The Key Stage 2 profile suggests pupils leave with secure literacy and numeracy foundations, and the curriculum emphasis on systematic knowledge-building should translate well to secondary subject teaching where sequencing matters.

Families exploring Sixth Form pathways later on will find no sixth form here, the school’s age range ends at 11, so the “next step” conversation is entirely about choosing the right secondary fit and building independence in Year 6.

Demand data indicates a competitive intake. For the Reception entry route, there were 133 applications and 57 offers recorded, and the intake is described as oversubscribed. The subscription proportion is 2.33 applications per place. This is the limiting factor for many families, the education may fit well, but the entry bar is real.

Admissions are co-ordinated through the local authority, with the school requiring a second strand of paperwork to make a faith-based application meaningful. The school advises completing both the Common Application Form and the school’s supplementary form, and it asks for supporting evidence such as baptismal documentation where applicable.

The admissions policy for 2026 to 2027 sets out the priority order clearly. Catholic looked-after children sit at the top, followed by baptised Catholic children with a Certificate of Catholic Practice, then baptised Catholic children without that certificate, then other looked-after children, catechumens, other Christian denominations, other faiths, and finally other children. Within each group, tie-breaks include siblings, parish (Sacred Heart, Wimbledon), social or medical grounds supported by evidence, and then distance measured in a straight line.

Key dates matter. For Reception entry starting September 2026, the local authority closing date is 15 January 2026, with offer day on 16 April 2026.

Because criteria can become distance-based within each category, families should use FindMySchool Map Search to understand their exact distance and how that compares with recent allocation patterns, then treat it as a guide rather than a promise.

The clearest wellbeing signals come from safeguarding and culture. The most recent Ofsted inspection (21 and 22 March 2023) confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective. Beyond compliance, the same report describes pupils as polite, confident and articulate, with lessons that proceed without disruption and staff expectations that are consistently reinforced.

A distinctive pastoral element is the reading confidence intervention Read2Dogs. The school states that the programme brings a Pets As Therapy dog, Luna, into school on Wednesday mornings so selected pupils can read in a lower-pressure setting, which can be particularly helpful for anxious readers or those who have stalled after early phonics.

This is an area where the school gets specific, which is usually a good sign. Clubs are presented as a mix of teacher-led activities and external providers, with termly cycles.

Named examples include:

• Fulham Football Club sessions (with year-group targeting across the week).

• Chess at lunchtime for Key Stage 2, with an expectation that children already know how the pieces move, then build tactics and endgames.

• Technokids (lunchtime) and AI Matrix Learning (after school), signalling a genuine computing strand rather than “coding club” as a generic label.

• A K-Pop dance club, which tends to appeal to pupils who do not see themselves as “traditional sport” children but still want performance and teamwork.

• Lunchtime French for Reception through Year 6, framed as small-group learning through structured activities.

Wraparound provision also uses the site well. The breakfast and after-school club describes use of the playground and a multi-use games area (MUGA), alongside indoor craft and quiet activities, which helps the club feel like an extension of school life rather than a bolt-on babysitting service.

Hours are clearly stated. Gates close at 8.50am, with registers shortly after. Finish times vary slightly by phase, Reception to Year 2 finish at 3.15pm, Years 3 to 6 at 3.20pm, and nursery at 3.30pm.

Wraparound care is a practical strength. Breakfast club runs from 7.30am, after-school provision runs to 6.00pm during term time, and holiday club options are described as part of the broader offer.

For travel, this is a New Malden school with a typical suburban pattern: many families will be walking or using short car drop-offs. Expect local congestion at peak times, and plan for a firm gate close if punctuality matters to your household routine.

• Admissions criteria are faith-forward. The 2026 to 2027 arrangements prioritise Catholic practice and parish links before distance. Families who cannot evidence this should treat admission as uncertain even if they live nearby.

• Competition for places is material. Reception demand data indicates oversubscription, and the school’s planned admission number is 60. Have realistic back-up preferences.

• Leadership has recently changed. A new headteacher is listed from September 2025, which can bring positive momentum but also a period of adjustment as expectations and systems settle.

• Nursery costs are variable. Funded hours are explained, and additional sessions are offered, but families should rely on the nursery’s published information for the current charges rather than assuming.

A high-performing Catholic primary with a clear ethos, strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and practical wraparound provision that suits working families. The atmosphere is likely to feel purposeful and values-led, with specific enrichment that goes beyond generic clubs.

Best suited to families who actively want a Catholic education, or who are comfortable supporting that ethos, and who value secure academic foundations with a good stretch at the top end. The primary hurdle is admission, not the day-to-day experience once a place is secured.