St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

About St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

St Anthony's Catholic Primary School sits in Southwark, a London borough where the average Key Stage 2 attainment score for primary schools is 68. The school itself holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across both its most recent graded inspection in 2012 and its ungraded inspection in 2021, where inspectors confirmed it 'remains Good'. That puts it in the majority of local primaries — only 17 of Southwark's 67 primary schools have achieved the top Outstanding grade. The nearest Outstanding-rated school, Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich, is 0.7 km away. St Anthony's is a Roman Catholic mixed primary for children aged 3 to 11, with a nursery on site. It is led by headteacher Joanne Hawthorne and has a capacity of 450 pupils, currently housing 426. The school is clearly popular with local families: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 104 applications for just 44 places, with 36 of those offers going to first-preference families, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.36.

Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted report (from the 2012 graded inspection) rated overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision all as Good. The 2021 ungraded inspection confirmed that the school has sustained this standard. While the school's exact Key Stage 2 results are not published in this data, the local authority average of 68 provides a useful benchmark for parents comparing schools in Southwark. St Anthony's sits below the top three ranked primaries in the borough — Boutcher Church of England Primary School, The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, and Riverside Primary School — but its consistent Good rating and high demand suggest it delivers solid outcomes. The school serves a diverse intake, with 30.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and indicates a genuinely inclusive community.

The school offers a range of facilities including an outdoor playground, library, art studios, dining hall, sensory room, gymnasium and chapel. Sports provision covers dance, netball, rounders, athletics, swimming and cricket, while extracurricular clubs include chess, choir, film club and book club. For children with additional needs, the school has specific provisions for dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its strong Catholic character, popularity among local families, and inclusive intake, St Anthony's is likely to suit parents who value a faith-based primary with a broad curriculum and a clear commitment to supporting children with SEND. The oversubscription means early application is essential, especially for those seeking a first-preference place.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents