St Francis Catholic Primary School, South Ascot Review 2026: Elite Performance with a Parish Heart

Tucked away in the leafy residential outskirts of South Ascot, St Francis Catholic Primary School represents a rare combination of high intensity academic achievement and a deeply rooted community spirit. Serving a single form entry of 30 pupils per year, the school occupies a modern, well maintained site that feels intimate and purposeful.

The data tells a clear story of excellence. St Francis currently sits in the elite tier of English primary schools, ranking 129th in England for primary outcomes. This places the school in the top 1% of all primaries in England (FindMySchool ranking), and it ranks 2nd among all schools in the Ascot area. For families seeking a state funded education that rivals the local independent preparatory sector in both atmosphere and results, this is a premier contender.

The morning arrival at Coronation Road reveals a school that operates with quiet efficiency. Pupils are greeted by name at the gate, reflecting the close knit nature of a school where every staff member knows every child. The atmosphere is calm and studious, yet there is a visible warmth underpinned by the school’s Catholic identity.

The head teacher, Mrs Rhona Miccoli, has provided stable and ambitious leadership since January 2019, maintaining the school's trajectory of high standards. The Catholic ethos is not a peripheral feature; it is the school’s defining characteristic. Gospel values are woven into daily life, from morning prayer to the way pupils are encouraged to treat one another with dignity and respect.

Physical spaces are bright and celebrate pupil work, particularly in the creative arts and religious education. The school feels like a sanctuary, protected from the bustle of the nearby town center, providing a secure environment for children to flourish.

The academic performance at St Francis is, by any measure, exceptional. In 2024, 96% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is a staggering figure when compared to the England average of 61%.

The depth of achievement is equally impressive. At the higher standard, 25% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of only 8%. These results place the school among the highest performing in England (top 2% tier).

Performance in individual subjects further confirms this strength:

• Reading: 100% of pupils reached the expected standard (England average: 73%), with a scaled score of 110.
• Mathematics: 100% of pupils reached the expected standard (England average: 73%), with a scaled score of 110.
• GPS (Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling): 100% reached the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 114.

The curriculum at St Francis is characterized by its ambition. While the school follows the national framework, it is delivered with a rigour that ensures no child is left behind. Teachers demonstrate expert subject knowledge, particularly in the core areas of literacy and numeracy, which explains the near perfect expected standard rates.

Expectations are high for every pupil. Lessons are structured and focused, yet teachers employ a variety of methods to keep the curriculum engaging. There is a strong emphasis on developing independent learners who are capable of articulately explaining their thinking. Specialist music and physical education sessions complement the classroom learning, ensuring a balanced development.

The latest Ofsted inspection in July 2024 rated the school Outstanding in all areas, including the quality of education and early years provision. Inspectors noted that pupils achieve exceptionally well across the subjects.

As a primary school in the Windsor and Maidenhead local authority, the transition to secondary education is a well managed process. Most pupils progress to local secondary schools, with St Edward's Royal Free Ecumenical Middle School and Charters School being common destinations.

Given the school’s exceptionally high SATs performance, a significant proportion of pupils are well prepared for selective entry or scholarship applications. The school maintains strong links with the local Catholic secondary sector, particularly for families wishing to continue a faith based education.

Securing a place at St Francis is a significant challenge. The school is consistently oversubscribed; for the most recent entry cycle, there were 65 applications for just 30 available places. This represents a subscription proportion of 2.17, meaning there are more than two applications for every desk.

As an academy within the Mother Teresa Catholic Academy Trust, the governing body is the admissions authority. Priority is given to baptized Catholic children, typically those residing in the parish of St Francis. Families must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by the deadline of 15 January 2026 for September 2026 entry. Non Catholic families are welcome to apply, but in an oversubscribed year, places for those outside the faith criteria are rare.

Pastoral care is rooted in the Catholic principle of the "whole child." The school recognizes that academic success is impossible without emotional security. With a capacity of only 210 pupils, the school operates as a large family where older students are encouraged to look out for younger ones through various buddy systems.

The latest inspection confirmed that safeguarding is effective, with a culture of vigilance and care. Pupils report feeling safe and valued, and parents frequently cite the supportive, nurturing environment as the reason for choosing the school.

The extracurricular life of the school is active, with clubs often reflecting the interests of the staff and pupils. Sport is a significant pillar, with the school taking full advantage of local Ascot facilities for fixtures.

STEM: Innovation in the Primary Phase

The school has a growing reputation for STEM excellence. Pupils participate in various coding and robotics workshops, and the science curriculum is designed to be highly investigative. The school often enters regional mathematics challenges, frequently finishing among the top tier of competitors.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:15pm. For working families, wraparound care is available through a Breakfast Club starting at 7:45am and an after school provision that runs until 6:00pm, providing a seamless day for pupils within the school grounds.

Travel to the school is primarily by car or on foot for local residents. Parking on Coronation Road can be congested during peak drop off and pick up times, so the school encourages walking or "park and stride" arrangements to ease the impact on neighbors.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees for parents. Families may need to account for costs associated with school uniform, optional music lessons, and educational trips. Financial support for school meals and certain trip costs is available for families eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

• Intense Competition for Places: With 2.17 applications for every place, many local families find themselves on the waiting list. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends.
• Faith Led Admissions: While the school is inclusive in its teaching, the admissions criteria heavily favor baptized Catholic children with a Certificate of Catholic Practice. Non Catholic families should have a clear "Plan B" as the school is often filled by those meeting the highest faith criteria.
• Single Form Entry: The small size creates a wonderful community but means the peer group is fixed and small. This suits children who thrive in intimate settings but may feel restrictive for those who prefer a wider social circle.

St Francis is a powerhouse of primary education that manages to keep its heart firmly in the parish community. The academic results are among the best in England, yet the school never feels like an "exam factory" due to the pervasive influence of its Catholic values. Best suited to Catholic families in the South Ascot area who want an elite academic start for their children within a nurturing, faith based environment. The main hurdle is not the education itself, which is exceptional, but simply getting through the door.