Turnham Academy

About Turnham Academy

Turnham Academy is a state primary school in Lewisham, led by headteacher Frank Harrowell, that sits comfortably among the borough’s strongest performers. In a local authority with 67 primary schools, it ranks 6th overall, placing it in the top 10 per cent. The three schools immediately above it in the rankings are Haberdashers' Hatcham Free School, St Augustine's Catholic Primary School and Nursery, and Eliot Bank Primary School, all of which score slightly higher on the same metric. Turnham Academy is non-denominational and co-educational, taking children from age 3 through to 11, and it has a nursery provision on site. The school is notably oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 50 applications for just 18 places, with all 18 first-preference applicants receiving offers. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 2.78, a clear sign of local demand. With 171 pupils against a capacity of 576, the school is operating well below its maximum, which may reflect its relatively small intake rather than any lack of popularity.

Academically, Turnham Academy delivers strong results at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 assessments, 83 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Lewisham average of 64 per cent. The school’s average reading score was 109 and its average maths score was 107, both comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. At the higher standard, 9 per cent of pupils achieved the top level across all three subjects, with 35 per cent reaching that level in reading, 30 per cent in maths, and 30 per cent in writing. The school has held a Good rating from Ofsted across both its most recent inspections, including the graded inspection in October 2022, where it received Good in every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The previous inspection, in 2013, also rated the school Good overall, so there is a consistent track record of solid performance.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including an ICT suite, sports hall, playing fields, art studios, music rooms, and a dining hall. Sports on offer include gymnastics, swimming, netball, athletics, cross country, dance, and football, while clubs extend to choir, book club, drama, film club, chess, and science club. For children with additional needs, Turnham Academy has provisions for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, severe learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 50.3 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse and disadvantaged community. This is a school that suits families looking for a well-regarded, inclusive local primary with strong academic outcomes, a wide extracurricular offer, and a clear track record of Good practice, though those hoping for a place will need to apply early given the oversubscription.

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