Bird In Bush School

Bird in Bush School has demonstrated a good overall performance since its formation from the merger of two previous schools. The leadership has effectively combined the communities and fostered a welcoming atmosphere for both pupils and families, who feel supported in their children's education. While the quality of education is strong across several areas, notable strengths include a well-structured curriculum and a strong emphasis on reading. However, the early years provision is identified as an area requiring improvement, particularly regarding children's communication and language skills. Parents express high satisfaction with leaders' commitment to their children's academic and personal development.

Strengths

• Effective merging of two school communities
• Strong focus on reading and phonics
• High expectations for all pupils, including those with SEND
• Broad and balanced curriculum
• Positive school culture promoting aspiration
• Active support for vulnerable pupils and families

Areas for Improvement

• Early years provision lacks sufficient focus on communication and language
• Curriculum in some subjects not ambitious enough
• Inconsistent checking of pupil understanding in lessons

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Bird In Bush School attended 96.0% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 9.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.2% of pupils at Bird In Bush School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Bird In Bush School had 17.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 20.7% of pupils at Bird In Bush School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 7.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Bird In Bush School received £11,425 and spent £11,175 for each of its 381 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £191,000 (£501 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Southwark · Southwark local authority: places and applications

What is Bird In Bush School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Bird In Bush School is Good, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Bird In Bush School last inspected by Ofsted?

Bird In Bush School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Bird In Bush School have?

Bird In Bush School has 381 pupils on roll.

What age range does Bird In Bush School cover?

Bird In Bush School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Bird In Bush School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Bird In Bush School?

Bird In Bush School is at Bird-in-Bush School, Bird-in-Bush Road, Peckham, SE15 1QP.