St John Fisher Catholic Primary School

About St John Fisher Catholic Primary School

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School sits in the London Borough of Bexley, where it ranks second out of 55 primary schools in the local authority. That puts it in the top five per cent of primaries across Bexley, and it sits alongside a strong cluster of Catholic and faith schools at the top of the local table. Its closest peers include St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, St Stephen's Catholic Primary School, and Haberdashers' Slade Green Primary. The school is one of 11 primaries in the borough to hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, and the nearest other Outstanding school is St Fidelis Catholic Primary School, about three kilometres away. With a capacity of 210 and 198 pupils on roll, it is nearly full, and its Roman Catholic character is reflected in the presence of a chapel on site. The headteacher is Laura Mc Laughlin, and the school serves children from age four to eleven.

Academically, St John Fisher performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 93 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Bexley average of 67 per cent. That result places the school 125th nationally out of nearly 14,000 primaries. In maths, 97 per cent of pupils met the expected standard and 63 per cent achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 111. Reading scores were similarly strong, with an average of 109 and half of pupils reaching the higher standard. Writing was slightly lower at 27 per cent achieving greater depth. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025 judged it Outstanding across the board, including quality of education, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes, though early years provision was rated Good. The previous inspection in 2011 had rated the school Good overall.

The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 39 applications for 15 places, a ratio of 2.6 applicants per place, with all first-preference families offered a spot. Facilities include a sensory room, forest school area, music rooms, art studios, a gymnasium, sports hall and ICT suite. Clubs range from art and choir to coding, science and drama, while sports include football, cricket, gymnastics and cross country. The school lists SEND provisions for moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, physical disability and social, emotional and mental health needs. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: all 38 respondents would recommend the school, and 100 per cent agreed their child is happy, feels safe, and does well. This is a school that suits families seeking strong academic outcomes within a Catholic faith context, particularly those who can secure a place in a competitive local intake.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St John Fisher Catholic Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents