Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Henley-on-Thames Review 2026: High-attaining Catholic primary with a clear community focus

On Greys Hill, Sacred Heart combines a distinctly Catholic identity with an open, welcoming admissions message for families of any faith or none. Its Key Stage 2 outcomes are strong, and the pattern is consistent across core subjects: high proportions reach the expected standard, and a sizeable minority reach the higher standard.

For families weighing up a faith school in Henley-on-Thames, the most practical headline is demand. Oxfordshire’s published admissions data for the 2025/26 intake shows 33 Reception preferences against an admission number of 30, with 13 first preferences offered. That is not the sort of pressure seen at some urban primaries, but it still indicates a school that families actively choose.

This is a Roman Catholic primary where faith is not bolted on. The parish relationship is visible through regular links with the local priest, and the sacramental journey is built into the pupil experience, including preparation for First Communion and Confirmation in the junior years.

At the same time, the admissions messaging is notably inclusive. The school explicitly states that it welcomes children from a wide range of faith backgrounds, including those with no faith at all. For families who like the ethos and values of a Catholic school but do not want a closed community, that matters, because it sets expectations for the mix of families you are likely to meet.

Day-to-day routines are clearly defined. Gates open at 08.30 with the official start at 08.45, and the school day ends at 15.15. A published timetable sets out breaktimes and lunch, which helps families judge pacing for younger pupils, and makes wraparound planning easier.

Sacred Heart’s Key Stage 2 data signals strong attainment. In 2024, 85% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 30.33% reached greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

Scaled scores reinforce the same picture. Reading is 109, mathematics is 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling is 106. In plain terms, pupils are leaving Year 6 with secure foundations, and a meaningful proportion are pushing beyond the expected standard rather than simply clearing the bar.

In the FindMySchool ranking for primary outcomes, the school is ranked 2,722nd in England and 4th in the Henley-on-Thames local area. That sits above the England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

Parents comparing options locally should use the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool to view these results alongside nearby primaries, particularly if you are balancing academics with wraparound provision and travel time.

Curriculum thinking is structured and intentional, rather than a loose collection of topics. The most recent inspection report describes subject planning that specifies what knowledge pupils should learn and when, with enrichment and links between subjects built into schemes of work.

For families, the implication is that learning should feel cumulative. When curriculum sequencing is clear, pupils can connect earlier knowledge to new ideas, and teachers can spot gaps sooner. That tends to benefit both high attainers, who need stretch without repetition, and pupils who need more deliberate consolidation.

Pastoral and wellbeing themes also sit within a taught programme. The school describes a personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum designed to support wellbeing and address issues such as anxiety and unhealthy relationships.

As a Henley-on-Thames primary, Sacred Heart’s natural secondary pathway is local. The school’s own communications show pupils attending events hosted at Gillotts, which is a strong indicator of established links and transition familiarity.

Transition support is also framed as a process rather than a single handover. Older pupils have opportunities to visit their next school as part of planned transition activity, and there is explicit reference to liaison for pupils who need additional support.

For families considering selective or faith-based secondary routes outside Henley, the most important step is to treat Year 6 as a year of options planning. Sacred Heart can provide a strong academic platform, but admissions timelines and testing requirements sit with each secondary school or local authority process.

Sacred Heart is a voluntary aided Catholic school, and the admissions criteria reflect that status. Oxfordshire’s published admissions data for the 2025/26 Reception allocation shows an admission number of 30 and breaks down offers by criterion, including baptised Catholic children living in the parish, siblings, and non-Catholic applicants.

That breakdown is useful because it clarifies how faith and parish connection can affect priority. For Catholic families, the practical takeaway is that documentary evidence matters, and timing matters. For non-Catholic families, it is equally clear that places can be offered outside the Catholic criteria, depending on the pattern of applications in a given year.

Applications for Reception are made through Oxfordshire’s coordinated process. For September 2026 entry, Oxfordshire lists these key dates: applications open 04 November 2025, the closing date is 15 January 2026, and National Offer Day is 16 April 2026.

Visits are actively encouraged. The school ran an open morning on 12 November 2025 and also states that families can arrange visits at other times across the year. In practice, that suggests open events typically sit in the autumn term, with flexibility for individual tours.

Wellbeing support is described in practical, staffed terms rather than vague intentions. The school states that it has a counsellor working in school each week, and a trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) on site every day.

Physical activity is positioned as part of wellbeing too. The school notes that specialist sports coaches deliver lessons three times a week and support pupils at play and lunch times.

For parents, the implication is twofold. First, there is a visible toolkit for children who need help with anxiety, friendships, or emotional regulation. Second, expectations for behaviour and participation are likely to be consistent, because staff have defined roles rather than relying only on informal support.

Sacred Heart puts real detail behind its enrichment offer. Music is a good example. Whole-class drumming is provided in Year 3, whole-class brass in Year 4, and recorder tuition is offered in Years 5 and 6. A school choir meets on Thursday mornings at 08.30, and it is open to pupils from Year 2 upwards.

Sport and clubs are similarly scheduled rather than occasional. A published clubs timetable shows activities such as netball, football, dance, drama, and arts and crafts across different year groups, with wraparound sessions integrated around the school day.

The school also highlights wider community and parish participation, including choir involvement in parish liturgy. For some families, that community link is a major reason to choose a Catholic primary, because it provides continuity beyond the classroom.

The school day starts at 08.45 and ends at 15.15. The published weekly opening time is 32.5 hours.

Wraparound care is clearly set out. Before-school care runs from 08.00 and after-school care runs Monday to Thursday, with options for one-hour or two-hour sessions up to 17.15. The school lists the cost as £7.50 per hour for after-school care, and £7.50 for before-school care.

For transport planning, this is a Henley-on-Thames school with strong local links, so many families will be walking or using short car journeys. The best approach is to test the commute at drop-off time, since Greys Hill can feel different in peak traffic than at midday.

• Faith criteria can influence priority. Admissions criteria include baptised Catholic children living in the parish and sibling links, alongside places for non-Catholic applicants depending on demand. This suits families who value a Catholic framework, but it requires careful reading of the criteria and documentary requirements.

• Wraparound provision is not five days. After-school care is currently Monday to Thursday, with no Friday provision stated. Families who need full-week cover should plan alternatives early.

• Demand is real, even if not extreme. Oxfordshire’s data shows 33 Reception preferences against an admission number of 30 for the 2025/26 intake. Families applying for Reception should treat deadlines as non-negotiable and submit on time.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Henley-on-Thames is a values-led primary with strong Key Stage 2 attainment and a clear structure around both the school day and wider enrichment. Catholic life is an everyday presence, yet the admissions messaging suggests a mixed intake that can include families with no faith.

It suits families who want a faith-grounded primary with consistently strong outcomes, clear routines, and practical wraparound options. The main challenge is aligning your application with the admissions criteria and the Oxfordshire timeline, especially if you are relying on a particular priority category.