Harbinger Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Cahir Street, London, E14 3QPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Harbinger Primary School is a primary school in Tower Hamlets for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 109 schools in Tower Hamlets. It ranks 60th of 60 primary schools in Tower Hamlets. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 23 November 2023, report published 18 January 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 November 2023

Leaders have developed a welcoming culture in the school. Staff know their pupils extremely well. Working relationships between staff and pupils are very positive. Pupils feel a strong sense of community. They are happy, safe and feel valued. There are high expectations for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This includes in early years where there are no limits or barriers to children's achievements. Pupils are enthusiastic, kind and enjoy learning. Pupils are well behaved during lessons and around the school site. They help to support positive behaviour in the school through roles including anti-bullying ambassadors and playground buddies. In early years, children are highly motivated and demonstrate high levels of self-control. All pupils in the school attend a range of outings every year which help to widen pupils' cultural experiences. These include visits to museums, galleries and places of worship. Pupils also have the opportunities to develop their leadership skills through groups including the student council, eco leaders and writing for the school paper, the 'Harbinger Chronicle'.

What the school should improve

  • On occasion, teaching does not consistently check pupils' understanding and identify misconceptions. This means that sometimes pupils are not fully ready to learn new content and commit knowledge, including subject-specific vocabulary, to their long-term memory. The school should develop the expertise of all teachers so that any gaps in pupils' understanding are identified and addressed in a timely way.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths63%

63%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

300 pupils on roll, with places for 360

Eligible for free school meals43%

43%, 16.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language53.3%

53.3%, 31.7 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12%

12%, 2.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan11.7%

11.7%, 5.7 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Harbinger Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Edmund's Catholic School0.2 milesOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard
Canary Wharf College, East Ferry0.3 milesOfsted: Good79% met the expected standard
Arnhem Wharf Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Cubitt Town Primary School0.6 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding63% met the expected standard
Seven Mills Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good55% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Nimesha Nagahawatte
Address
Cahir Street, London, E14 3QP
Local authority
Tower Hamlets
URN
100904

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.