Old Ford Primary - A Paradigm Academy

About Old Ford Primary - A Paradigm Academy

Old Ford Primary - A Paradigm Academy sits in Tower Hamlets, a borough where the average proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 is 71 per cent. The school’s own figure of 77 per cent puts it comfortably above that local authority average, and the gap widens further when you look at the higher standard: 21 per cent of Old Ford pupils hit that top tier, compared with a borough-wide picture that is typically lower. This is a school that is clearly outperforming its immediate neighbours on the headline academic measure. It also ranks 19th out of 66 primary schools in Tower Hamlets, placing it in the top third locally and inside the top 25 per cent nationally. With 19 outstanding-rated primaries in the borough, Old Ford is part of a strong cohort, but its results suggest it is punching above the typical local level.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2022, awarded Outstanding across every single category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. That is a clean sweep. The previous inspection, back in 2008, also rated the school Outstanding overall, so this is a sustained track record rather than a one-off. On the ground, the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results show particularly strong maths performance, with 90 per cent of pupils reaching the expected standard and 46 per cent reaching the higher standard. Reading and writing expected rates are 83 per cent and 87 per cent respectively, while the average maths scaled score of 108 and reading score of 107 both sit above the national average of 100. The school’s ranking score of 77, based on the proportion reaching the expected standard in all three subjects, confirms it is a solidly above-average performer in a competitive London borough.

Old Ford is a three-form entry primary with a nursery, and it is oversubscribed: for 2025/26, 130 families applied for 72 places, with 65 of those applications coming as first preferences. That ratio of 1.81 applicants per place tells you it is a popular choice locally. The school serves a diverse community, with 54.7 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, and it has a range of SEND provisions in place, including support for dyslexia, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, and autistic spectrum disorder. Facilities include a forest school, sensory room, sports hall, ICT suite and even a chapel, while extracurricular options cover gardening, chess and science club, plus sports such as athletics, rounders, dance and cricket. For families in Tower Hamlets looking for a high-performing, inclusive state primary with strong results and a clear record of excellence, Old Ford is a compelling option.

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