Academy converter · Tower Hamlets

Columbia Primary School

3–11Ages
416Pupils
PrimaryPhase
150662URN

Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 7RG · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school

Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Jul 2023 Previous framework

Good

Quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management

What Ofsted found

Applications per place · Sept 2026

1.9per place

close to Tower Hamlets median (2.0)

Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther primary schools in Tower Hamlets

93 applications for 48 places · 32nd of 58 in Tower Hamlets

Every year since 2014

SATs · reading, writing and maths · 2024/25

81%met the expected standard

Tower Hamlets 71% England 64%

Reading, writing and maths

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Overall effectiveness: Good · 3 July 2023Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
Area	Outstanding	Good
Quality of education		Good
Behaviour and attitudes	Outstanding
Personal development	Outstanding
Leadership and management		Good
Early years provision		Good

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry

1.9applications per place, Reception

close to Tower Hamlets median (2.0) 0.3 below England median (2.2)

93 applications · 48 places offered · 43 named it first

2026 1.9; Tower Hamlets median median 2.0
2025 2.1; Tower Hamlets median median 2.0
2024 2.2; Tower Hamlets median median 2.2; as the previous school
2023 2.0; Tower Hamlets median median 2.1; as the previous school
2022 2.0; Tower Hamlets median median 2.1; as the previous school
2021 2.3; Tower Hamlets median median 2.0; as the previous school
2020 2.2; Tower Hamlets median median 2.2; as the previous school
2019 2.3; Tower Hamlets median median 2.4; as the previous school
2018 2.5; Tower Hamlets median median 2.5; as the previous school
2017 2.4; Tower Hamlets median median 2.5; as the previous school
2016 3.1; Tower Hamlets median median 2.7; as the previous school
2015 2.5; Tower Hamlets median median 2.8; as the previous school
2014 3.1; Tower Hamlets median median 3.1; as the previous school

This school
Tower Hamlets median

Dashed bars: as Columbia Primary School (URN 100897), the previous school.

Reception applications for September 2027 close 15 January 2027, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

Entry	Places	Applications	Per place	First preferences	First-pref. ratio
Sep 2026	48	93	1.9	43	0.90
Sep 2025	60	127	2.1	54	0.90
Sep 2024 *	51	111	2.2	49	0.96
Sep 2023 *	60	122	2.0	56	0.93
Sep 2022 *	60	122	2.0	64	1.07
Sep 2021 *	60	139	2.3	83	1.38
Sep 2020 *	47	104	2.2	42	0.89
Sep 2019 *	58	132	2.3	68	1.17
Sep 2018 *	59	149	2.5	66	1.12
Sep 2017 *	60	146	2.4	58	0.97
Sep 2016 *	60	186	3.1	77	1.28
Sep 2015 *	60	147	2.5	63	1.05
Sep 2014 *	60	184	3.1	66	1.10

How did pupils do in SATs?

DfE KS2 · 2024/25

Reading 89% · Writing 85% · Maths 93% → all three 81% met the expected standard, End of Year 6

Reading, writing and maths: expected standard81%6th of 60 in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets 71% England 64%

Reading

Expected standard89%

Tower Hamlets 83% England 78%

Higher standard57%

Tower Hamlets 39% England 33%

Average scaled score 111 (100 = expected standard)

Writing

Expected standard85%

Tower Hamlets 79% England 75%

Greater depth26%

Tower Hamlets 16% England 12%

Maths

Expected standard93%

Tower Hamlets 83% England 77%

Higher standard44%

Tower Hamlets 34% England 24%

Average scaled score 109 (100 = expected standard)

This school
Tower Hamlets median
England median

Every year as a table

Year	Expected standard	Higher standard	Reading score	Maths score
2024/25	81%	19%	111	109
2023/24	90%	15%	112	109
2022/23	86%	19%	109	107

Subject results are published for the latest year only. Scaled scores run from 80 to 120.

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest primary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

Columbia Primary SchoolThis school
This school

Good2023

1.9applications per place 81%met the SATs standard
Elizabeth Selby Infants' School
0.5 km · Tower Hamlets

Remains Good2023

1.4applications per place
Virginia Primary School
0.5 km · Tower Hamlets

Remains Outstanding2021

2.3applications per place
Lawdale Junior School
0.5 km · Tower Hamlets

Remains Good2023

70%met the SATs standard
William Davis Primary School
0.6 km · Tower Hamlets

Graded · no overall grade2025

2.1applications per place 83%met the SATs standard
Sebright School
0.6 km · Hackney

Standards maintained2025

3.1applications per place 75%met the SATs standard
St Monica's Catholic Primary School
0.7 km · Hackney

Remains Good2022

2.4applications per place 83%met the SATs standard
Hague Primary School
0.9 km · Tower Hamlets

Remains Good2022

2.0applications per place 79%met the SATs standard
Thomas Buxton Primary School
0.9 km · Tower Hamlets

Remains Outstanding2023

1.5applications per place 71%met the SATs standard

School details

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Primary
URN · DfE number: 150662 · 211/2118
Trust: The Letta Trust
Capacity: 450 pupils · 416 on roll
Free school meals: 24.5% of pupils (England median 23%)
Nursery: Has nursery classes
Opened: 1 September 2024
Replaced: Columbia Primary School (URN 100897)
Address: Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 7RG
Local authority: Tower Hamlets

Data last changed 3 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources