Hurst Primary School

About Hurst Primary School

Hurst Primary School is a mixed state primary for ages 3 to 11 in Bexley, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school has a capacity of 630 places but currently houses 661 pupils, meaning it is running slightly over its official number. That oversubscription is backed up by the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 226 applications for just 90 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.51. Of those applicants, 91 put Hurst as their first preference, and 86 of those first-preference families were offered a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11.3%, which is below the national average for primary schools and suggests a relatively less deprived intake compared with many schools nationally. The school does not have a religious character, so its appeal appears to rest on its academic reputation and local standing rather than any faith-based admissions criteria.

Academically, Hurst performs well above the Bexley local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a LA average of just 67%. The school also achieved strong average scaled scores of 107 in both reading and maths. At the higher standard, 15% of pupils achieved that top tier across all three subjects, with 39% reaching it in reading and 34% in maths. In the Bexley rankings, Hurst sits 11th out of 55 primary schools, placing it in the top 20% locally. Nationally, it ranks in the top 9% of all primary schools. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2022, rated the school Good overall, with Good marks for early years provision, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness. That is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2011, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including an ICT suite, sports hall, music rooms, a forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include rounders, athletics, cross country and netball, while clubs cover coding, art, eco and drama. For families with children who have additional needs, Hurst lists SEND provisions for a wide spectrum, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, dyslexia, hearing impairment and physical disability. The school also has nursery provision, so children can start from age three. Given its strong academic outcomes, high demand for places and relatively low FSM rate, Hurst is likely to suit families who place a premium on above-average attainment and who are prepared to navigate a competitive admissions process. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is Upton Primary School, about 1 km away, which may be an alternative for those who miss out on a place here.

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