Bexley Schools Celebrate DfE Ratings: St Stephen’s Tops 93%

Key Points

• Two schools in Bexley are celebrating their Department for Education (DfE) ratings for the 2024–2025 academic year.
• The DfE figures measure pupils’ performance in reading, writing, and maths combined, with pupils counted only if they meet the expected standard in all three subjects.
• Across Bexley borough, 67 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard, making it the lowest-performing borough in south east London.
• Schools with zero per cent results due to insufficient data were excluded from the rankings.
• St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School topped the rankings with 93 per cent of pupils achieving the expected standard.
• St John Fisher Catholic Primary School came second with 90 per cent.
• Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy ranked third with 87 per cent.
• Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy leaders praised the efforts of the school and community as a “testament” to the entire school community.
• The academy highlighted its commitment to high standards, resilience, and supporting pupils’ academic and personal development.
• Principal Rebecca England of Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy expressed immense pride in students and staff for their SATs results.
• St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School expressed pride in its pupils after achieving the highest combined score in Bexley.

Bexley (South London News) January 26, 2026 – Two schools in Bexley are celebrating their strong performances in the latest Department for Education (DfE) ratings for the 2024–2025 academic year, despite the borough recording the lowest overall results in south east London. The DfE data reveals that 67 per cent of pupils across Bexley reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, placing the borough at the bottom of south east London rankings. St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School led with an impressive 93 per cent, followed closely by St John Fisher Catholic Primary School at 90 per cent and Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy at 87 per cent.

Which Schools Performed Best in Bexley?

St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School topped the borough rankings, with 93 per cent of its pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined. This outstanding result positions the school as the clear leader in Bexley for the 2024–2025 academic year. St John Fisher Catholic Primary School secured second place with 90 per cent of pupils meeting the benchmark.

Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy placed third overall in Bexley, achieving 87 per cent of pupils at the expected standard. School leaders at Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy praised the combined efforts of the school and its community, which they described as a “testament” to the entire school community. The academy emphasised that these results reflect its unwavering commitment to high standards, resilience, and supporting pupils’ academic and personal development.

What Do the DfE Figures Measure?

The latest DfE figures reveal how pupils performed in reading, writing, and maths during the 2024–2025 academic year. The data specifically highlights the percentage of pupils who met the expected standard in all three subjects combined, with pupils only counted if they achieved the standard across reading, writing, and maths. Schools showing a zero per cent result due to insufficient data were removed from the rankings to ensure fair comparisons.

This methodology ensures that the ratings focus on comprehensive achievement rather than partial success in individual subjects. The expected standard represents a rigorous benchmark aligned with national curriculum goals for primary school pupils at the end of Key Stage 2. These results stem from primary school SATs assessments, which provide a standardised measure of attainment.

Why Is Bexley the Lowest in South East London?

Data showed that 67 per cent of pupils across the borough reached the expected standard, which placed Bexley as the lowest-performing borough in south east London. While top schools shone brightly, the borough-wide average underscores broader challenges in collective pupil outcomes. This positioning highlights disparities even among high-achieving individual institutions within Bexley.

Comparisons with neighbouring south east London boroughs reveal Bexley trailing behind areas such as Bromley, Greenwich, and Lewisham, where higher proportions of pupils met the combined standard. Factors contributing to this may include variations in resources, pupil demographics, and targeted interventions, though specific causes require further local authority analysis. The DfE data serves as a benchmark for identifying areas needing support.

How Have School Leaders Responded?

At Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy, Principal Rebecca England said:

“I am immensely proud of our students and staff for achieving such high standards with their primary school SATs results.”

She added:

“This remarkable accomplishment reflects the dedication, hard work and resilience demonstrated by our entire school community and is a testament to our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that fosters both academic excellence and personal growth.”

England concluded:

“We will continue to strive for improvement and ensure that every child reaches their full potential.”

Meanwhile, St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School also expressed pride in its pupils after achieving the highest combined score in Bexley. The school celebrated its 93 per cent success rate as a reflection of pupil effort and teaching quality. St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, with its 90 per cent achievement, similarly conveyed delight at the outcomes, though specific statements from its leadership were not detailed in initial reports.

These responses underscore a shared sense of accomplishment among Bexley’s top performers. School leaders framed their success as collective endeavours involving pupils, staff, parents, and the wider community. Such statements align with national trends where high-rated schools use results to reinforce morale and future ambitions.

What Challenges Remain for Bexley Schools?

Despite standout performances, Bexley’s 67 per cent borough average signals room for improvement across the wider education landscape. Lower-performing schools, excluded or ranking below the top three, face pressure to elevate outcomes in reading, writing, and maths. The DfE ratings prompt questions about resource allocation and intervention strategies for underachieving pupils.

The exclusion of schools with zero per cent due to insufficient data points to data reliability issues in smaller or newer establishments. Borough leaders may now prioritise targeted support, such as additional tutoring or teacher training, to lift the overall standard. National comparisons place additional scrutiny on south east London authorities to address regional disparities.

How Do These Results Impact Pupils and Parents?

For pupils at top schools like St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School, the 93 per cent achievement boosts confidence heading into secondary education. Parents in Bexley gain clear insights into school effectiveness through these transparent DfE metrics. High ratings can influence school choices, with families prioritising institutions like St John Fisher Catholic Primary School and Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy.

The combined subject requirement ensures well-rounded development, benefiting pupils’ long-term academic trajectories. However, the borough’s lowest ranking may concern parents seeking consistent excellence. Schools’ commitments to ongoing improvement, as voiced by Principal Rebecca England, reassure stakeholders of proactive measures.

What Is the Broader Context of DfE Ratings?

The 2024–2025 data continues a national conversation on primary education standards post-pandemic recovery. DfE ratings provide annual snapshots, enabling trend analysis over time. Bexley’s position as south east London’s lowest prompts calls for collaborative action between schools, the local authority, and the DfE.

Top performers like Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy exemplify resilience amid challenges. Their emphasis on personal growth alongside academics reflects holistic education priorities. As reported across local outlets, these results celebrate excellence while spotlighting the need for borough-wide uplift.

Why Are Community Efforts Key to Success?

Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy specifically credited its community as a “testament” to shared endeavour. This highlights parental involvement, local support, and extracurricular partnerships in driving 87 per cent attainment. St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School’s pride in pupils similarly nods to communal backing.

Such dynamics foster environments where resilience thrives, as Principal Rebecca England noted in her statement on dedication and hard work. In Bexley, where borough results lag, amplifying community roles could elevate the 67 per cent average. DfE data thus not only ranks schools but underscores ecosystems sustaining achievement.