Royal Wharf Primary School
82%
Capacity
387
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Royal Wharf Primary School
Royal Wharf Primary School in Newham is a state primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school currently has 387 pupils against a capacity of 472, meaning there is some room to grow, but the demand is intense. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 177 applications for just 58 places, with 96 of those applications coming as first preferences. That works out to an oversubscription ratio of 3.05 applicants per place, so securing a spot is competitive. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 23.2%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools, reflecting the diverse and urban character of the Newham area. The school does not have a religious character, and it offers nursery provision for younger children, which may appeal to families looking for a continuous early years pathway.
Academically, Royal Wharf Primary School holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023, with the report published in November that year. The inspection gave top marks in two areas: early years provision and personal development, both rated Outstanding. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management were all judged Good. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary, so the focus is on Key Stage 2 outcomes. The local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment in Newham is 74, which provides a useful benchmark. While the school’s specific KS2 results are not included in the data, the strong Ofsted grades and the Outstanding early years rating suggest a solid foundation for academic progress. The school’s top local peers include Tollgate, Cleves, and Rosetta primary schools, which rank highly in the area.
The school is well equipped with facilities that support a broad curriculum, including a sensory room, forest school area, music rooms, an ICT suite, a sports hall, playing fields, and a library. Sports offered include athletics, gymnastics, rounders, cross country, cricket, and netball, while clubs extend to drama, chess, and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school’s SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is Hallsville Primary School, 1.5 km away, which may be an alternative for families who miss out on a place. Overall, Royal Wharf suits families in Newham who want a well-regarded, inclusive primary with strong early years support and a wide range of enrichment activities, but they should be prepared for the competitive admissions process.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | 1 John Harrison Square, London, Newham, E16 2ZA |
| Headteacher | Emma Joseph |
| Local Authority | Newham |
| Number of Pupils | 387 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 23.2% |
| School Capacity | 387 / 472 (82% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed58
177
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
96 families put this school as their 1st choice (54% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Mixed24.1%
- Asian20.7%
- White (other)14.2%
- White British8.5%
- Black1.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
10
Total schools
10
Oversubscribed
7
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Wharf Primary School
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Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
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SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
1 John Harrison Square, London
Newham, E16 2ZA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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