Frequently Asked Questions

These questions have come from prospective parents, via our ‘Meet the Headteacher’ Zoom calls.

How many form entry is it into Reception?

St Mark’s is two-form entry, with approximately 400 children in 14 classes.

What mix of indoor and outdoor learning do you do? Do you have examples of the outdoor activities you cover?               

EYFS have two outdoor classrooms: one on grass; one on astroturf. We have two playgrounds, a Forest School, an astroturf sports pitch and a Science & Nature area.

What secondary schools do your children tend to go onto?        

Each year, the sixty children leaving us typically go to nearly twenty different schools including Ravensbourne, Bishop Justus, Ravens Wood, St Olave’s, Newstead Wood, Hayes, Langley, Bullers Wood, Chislehurst & Sidcup, and many more!   

Do you have before and after school clubs? If so, what are they?            

Lions' Den is our wrap-around care from 7.30am until 6pm; children in Reception are welcome to attend. There are also a number of free PE clubs once in Y1. We also have a School Choir and a Brownie Pack, There are also a host of St Mark's External Club Providers

What communication is set up between the school and parents?            

Teachers can be spoken to informally every day in person or via Dojo. We also use Schoolgateway. More formal requests for meeting with staff can be made via the school office.

Do you have to go to church to come to St Mark’s?

No. We are very proud to be a Church School which serves its community. We live out our Christian values daily but have children at St Mark’s from all religions.

What’s the school lunch like? And is there a packed-lunch policy?

Nourish provide our school lunches which are all freshly prepared on site. Children in their first three years at school receive a free school meal though parents can opt to send a balanced packed-lunch. We are a nut free school.

What are the sports opportunities and facilities like?    

We have a full-time dedicated PE teacher who takes a range of lessons and clubs. In 2019-20 we were again awarded the Gold School Games Award for our commitment to sport & PE.

Some feedback from our parents:

"Creates an inclusive and welcoming learning environment and wider school community where children are valued and encouraged in every area of learning, in relation to their academic subjects and to their personal character.  St Mark's has an outstanding staff team who go above and beyond in their commitment to the children."

"St Mark's is a small school within a lovely community. The teaching staff and management staff are very nice and approachable. My three children attended St Mark's. Two of them are in now in secondary school and they are succeeding very well. We will definitely miss St Mark's when our youngest child moves on to secondary school and will keep very good memories!"

"I have recommended St Mark's to other parents. I tell them that it is a lovely school. My children have grown in confidence and thrived at the school. The staff are warm, friendly and approachable. It is led by an awesome Headteacher who upholds the Christian values and fosters an atmosphere of peace and kindness throughout the school that trickles down through the staff and into the pupils and into the very fibres of the school grounds. It is a special place."

Parent Questionnaire: Autumn 2020