Upton Primary School

About Upton Primary School

Upton Primary School is a state-funded, mixed primary for ages 3 to 11 in Bexley, London, and it is effectively full. With 452 pupils against a capacity of 455, there is almost no slack in its intake. The school’s percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 5.2%, well below the national average for primary schools, which typically sits around 23-24%. This suggests a relatively affluent local catchment. Demand is exceptionally high: for the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 250 applications for just 60 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.17. Of those, 88 were first-preference applications, and only 59 first-preference offers were made, meaning even families who listed Upton as their top choice faced stiff competition. The school is non-religious, with a nursery provision attached, and is led by headteacher April Robinson.

Academically, Upton is one of the strongest primaries in Bexley. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, it was rated Outstanding overall, with Outstanding marks for early years provision, leadership and management, and the quality of education. The school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections, with the Outstanding grade confirmed in an ungraded inspection in 2024. At Key Stage 2, 85% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Bexley local authority average of 67%. The school ranks 6th out of 55 primaries in the borough and sits in the top 10% nationally. Average scores were strong: 108 in maths and 109 in reading. The proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading was 55%, and 39% in maths, though writing at the higher level was lower at 13%. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone place Upton comfortably among the top-performing state primaries in London.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a dining hall, music rooms, art studios, a gymnasium, playing fields, and an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers swimming, cricket, gymnastics, cross country and rounders, while clubs include chess, coding, film club, art club and gardening. SEND support is well-resourced, with specific provisions for dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social and emotional mental health, and a resourced provision. Given its high oversubscription and strong academic outcomes, Upton is best suited to families who live very close to the school and can secure a place through proximity, or those who are willing to apply as a first preference despite the odds. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, 2 km away, but Upton’s non-religious character makes it a more accessible option for families who do not want a faith-based education.

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