St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Elite Results in Orpington

At drop-off, the gates reveal a school that punches significantly above its weight in the suburban landscape of Orpington. St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School is a single-form entry academy that has quietly become one of the most successful primary providers in the region. Recent data indicates the school ranks 443rd in England for primary outcomes, a proprietary FindMySchool ranking that places it within the top 3% of schools in England (elite tier).

Led by Headteacher Miss K. Everson, who has been in post since February 2022 and has a long history with the school since 2003, the school maintains an intimate atmosphere with a capacity of 210 pupils. The Catholic ethos is the central pillar of daily life, yet the school’s appeal extends to any family seeking a rigorous academic environment where nearly every pupil meets or exceeds expected standards in core subjects.

The atmosphere at St Peter and St Paul is defined by a sense of calm purpose and shared values. As a Catholic academy within the Education for the 21st Century (E21C) Trust, the school benefits from a wider network of support while maintaining its distinct religious identity. The physical environment is well-ordered, reflecting the high expectations staff hold for pupil behaviour and self-discipline.

Mottoed Joy within our learning, the school explicitly connects emotional wellbeing with academic curiosity. Values such as respect, compassion, and responsibility are not merely displayed on posters but integrated into the house system and assembly themes. The small scale of the school, with only 30 pupils per year group, ensures that staff possess a granular understanding of every child’s progress and personality.

Academic performance is the school’s most visible strength. In 2024, 93% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. The school ranks 3rd among primaries in Orpington (FindMySchool ranking), confirming its status as a local leader.

At the higher standard, the school is particularly distinctive. 43% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing, and mathematics, a figure that dwarfs the England average of 8%. In Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS), an impressive 70% of pupils hit the high score threshold. These metrics suggest a curriculum that does not just aim for the baseline but pushes the most able pupils toward genuine mastery.

The curriculum is designed with high factual density and a clear progression of skills. Reading is prioritised from the earliest stages; the 2024 results showed that 100% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, with an average scaled score of 109. This success is rooted in a structured approach to phonics in the younger years and a transition to analytical reading as pupils mature.

Specialist teaching is utilised effectively, and the school’s transition to academy status has allowed for greater curriculum flexibility while maintaining a focus on the National Curriculum. Mathematics scores are equally strong, with an average scaled score of 109, reflecting a mastery-based approach where children are encouraged to explain their reasoning and solve complex multi-step problems.

Nursery Provision

The school includes an integrated nursery provision, allowing children to enter the St Peter and St Paul community from age three. The nursery environment is designed to bridge the gap between home and formal schooling, focusing on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) goals with a particular emphasis on communication and language.

Nursery practitioners work closely with the Reception teacher to ensure a seamless transition into the main school. While many nursery pupils progress into the Reception class, parents should note that a place in the nursery does not provide a guarantee of a place in the main school; a separate application via Bromley Council is required. For nursery fee details and session availability, families should visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for further details.

As a Catholic school, pastoral care is inextricably linked to the chaplaincy and the parish. The latest inspection findings confirm that pupils feel safe and valued, with older students often taking on leadership roles to support younger pupils during break times.

The school operates a robust system for identifying and supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). While there are no specialist units on-site, the school’s small size allows for highly personalised intervention plans. The emphasis is on inclusion, ensuring that every child can access the ambitious curriculum regardless of their starting point.

The extracurricular offer is designed to complement the academic rigour of the school day. While the school is smaller than many of its neighbours, it makes efficient use of its space for sports and creative pursuits.

STEM Excellence

The school has modernised its STEM provision, incorporating coding and digital literacy into the weekly timetable. Pupils engage in practical science experiments that foster curiosity, contributing to the high standards in science where nearly all pupils reach expected standards.

Other clubs typically include choir, football, and netball, with a strong emphasis on performing arts. The annual Christmas and summer productions are major events in the school calendar, involving pupils from across the age range. Music tuition is available for a variety of instruments, often coordinated through local youth music trusts.

Securing a place at St Peter and St Paul is a competitive process. In the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 71 applications for only 30 available places. This represents a subscription proportion of 2.37, indicating that more than two families are vying for every desk.

As a Catholic school, the governing body is the admission authority. Priority is given to baptised Catholic children, particularly those living in the local parish. Parents must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) for Bromley and are also required to submit a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) directly to the school to verify faith commitment.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their proximity to the school gates, though in faith-based admissions, religious criteria often take precedence over pure distance.

Leavers typically progress to a variety of secondary schools across Bromley and Kent. Given the school’s high academic standards, a significant proportion of pupils sit the 11-plus for the Kent and Bexley grammar systems.

Common destinations include St Olave’s and Newstead Wood for the most academically able, as well as local Catholic secondaries. The school provides transition support in Year 6 to help pupils manage the emotional shift to larger secondary environments.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Wraparound care is available through the STARS service, offering a breakfast club from 7:30am and twilight/evening sessions until 5:30pm (some reports suggest 5:45pm). Breakfast sessions cost £7.00, while twilight and evening sessions range from £7.00 to £14.00 per child. The school is located on St Paul's Wood Hill, accessible via local bus routes and within a reasonable walking distance for many families in the St Paul's Cray area.

• Oversubscribed status: With more than two applicants for every place, entry is fiercely competitive. Families should have a clear understanding of the admissions criteria, particularly the weighting given to faith evidence.
• Catholic character: The school’s religious character is genuine and pervasive. Families uncomfortable with daily prayer, regular Masses, and explicit Catholic teaching should consider whether this environment is the right fit.
• Single-form entry: While this fosters a close-knit community, it means each year group is small. This may limit the breadth of peer groups compared to a three or four-form entry school.
• Grammar school focus: Because results are so high, there is a strong culture of 11-plus entry in Year 6. Parents should be prepared for the pressure this can sometimes create within the pupil cohort.

St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School is a high-performing academy that offers some of the strongest academic outcomes in the Orpington area. It successfully blends traditional Catholic values with a modern, ambitious curriculum that pushes nearly half of its pupils into the highest achievement brackets. Best suited to Catholic families or those who highly value a small, disciplined, and academically rigorous environment. The main challenge for prospective families remains the high level of competition for its 30 annual places.