John Ball Primary School
96%
Capacity
655
Pupils
3.7x
Demand
About John Ball Primary School
John Ball Primary School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Lewisham community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 655 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (96% of 684 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
the school is led by headteacher Jacqui Noakes, it falls under Lewisham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 3968th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 18th out of 59 in Lewisham.
John Ball Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 330 applications for 90 places, making it 3.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 111 were first-preference applications.
John Ball Primary School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.4/5 from 30 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at John Ball Primary School include Outdoor Playground, Sensory Room, Forest School, Dining Hall, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Cricket, Swimming, Rounders and 2 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Gardening, Eco Club, Film Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 11.2%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Lewisham, John Ball Primary School is one of the options available in the London region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Southvale Road, London, Lewisham, SE3 0TP |
| Headteacher | Jacqui Noakes |
| Local Authority | Lewisham |
| Number of Pupils | 655 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 11.2% |
| School Capacity | 655 / 684 (96% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 9 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (71%)
3968th of 13,686
Nationally
770th of 1,592
In London
18th of 59
In Lewisham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
71%
Expected Standard
19%
Higher Standard
'22/23
63%
'23/24
71%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed90
330
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
111 families put this school as their 1st choice (34% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Ball Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Southvale Road, London
Lewisham, SE3 0TP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at John Ball Primary School!
Write a Review