St Paul's Cray Church of England Primary School
Orpington, BR5 3WD · Bromley · primary school
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65th of 69 primary schools in Bromley we can score, 76 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.7/10 against 1,531 of them, against 2.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 32.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.14 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Paul's Cray Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join gymnastics, football, and street dance clubs. Trips include visits to SEALIFE, Rochester Cathedral, The National Gallery, Maths World, and PGL School Journey. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 178 pupils against a stated capacity of 320. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to bridge the gap between the current 32.0% expected standard and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve attainment in maths?
What Ofsted said about St Paul's Cray Church of England Primary School
Overview
St Paul’s Cray Church of England Primary School is described as a ‘happy school’ with a ‘family centred’ approach, where leaders provide strong support to parents and pupils. The inspection judged overall effectiveness as ‘Good’, highlighting that staff work effectively to help pupils achieve well and behave in a calm, orderly manner. Leaders have successfully prioritised actions to help pupils catch up after the pandemic, though some curriculum areas require further refinement.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well in a ‘calm and orderly’ environment, with high expectations supported by recent behaviour policy changes.
- Leaders provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they access the same curriculum as their peers.
- The curriculum is ‘broad and balanced’, with particular success in modern foreign languages where pupils learn a ‘strong body of knowledge’.
- Staff are ‘very positive about working at the school’, feeling supported by leaders who consider the impact of decisions on staff wellbeing.
- Leaders celebrate the school’s Christian faith while teaching pupils to ‘respect differences’ in other beliefs and cultures.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, the curriculum is not ‘as ambitious and/or precisely set out as it should be’, preventing pupils from building a strong body of knowledge.
- Support for weaker readers is occasionally insufficient, meaning pupils do not always use their phonics skills effectively when being listened to by adults.
- The range of clubs and activities is ‘too limited’, restricting opportunities for pupils to ‘develop and stretch their talents and interests’.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff responding quickly to concerns and pupils reporting that they feel safe at school.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 32% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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