Castilion Primary School

About Castilion Primary School

Castilion Primary School in Bexley was rated Requires Improvement in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, with all five assessed categories — quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision — all receiving the same grade. The most telling academic metric is that just 47% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined at Key Stage 2. That is well below the Bexley local authority average of 67% and places the school 51st out of 55 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the bottom half nationally. No pupils reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, and while reading and maths average scores were close to the national average, writing attainment was notably weaker, with only 53% reaching the expected level.

The school’s Progress 8 scores are not available, so it is difficult to assess how much value Castilion adds relative to pupils’ starting points. However, the raw attainment data paints a mixed picture: 74% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths, both respectable figures, but writing and the combined measure lag significantly. The school has 220 pupils on roll against a capacity of 472, suggesting it is well below its potential intake, and 15.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. In terms of admissions, the school was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, with 38 applications for 23 places and 22 offers made to first-preference families, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.65. This indicates that while the school faces challenges, it remains a popular choice for local families.

Castilion offers a range of facilities including an ICT suite, sensory room, art studios, forest school and a chapel, and runs clubs such as film, art, drama and science club. Sports on offer include athletics, dance, cross country, football, cricket, gymnastics and rounders. The school has a nursery provision and provides support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families considering Castilion, the key question is whether the school’s current Requires Improvement rating and below-average combined outcomes are a temporary dip or a longer-term trend. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, 1.9 km away, which may be an alternative for families who prioritise Ofsted grades. Castilion may suit families who value its specific SEND provisions, its forest school and arts facilities, and who are comfortable with a school that is actively working to improve.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Castilion Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents