Princess Frederica CofE Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Results in a Diverse Community

Beyond the Victorian terraces of Kensal Green, Princess Frederica CofE Primary School occupies a purpose-built site on College Road. The school serves a richly diverse community in Brent, where over 40 languages are spoken and families travel from across the borough to secure a place. Results in 2024 placed the school among the top 5% of primaries in England, a position earned through structured teaching, high expectations, and a genuine Christian ethos that welcomes all faiths. With 450 pupils across nursery and main school, this is a two-form entry primary where children are known individually while benefiting from the resources and breadth a larger school can offer.

The school gates open to reveal an environment where purposeful learning and evident warmth coexist. Children arrive speaking languages from Somali to Portuguese, Arabic to Polish, yet the unifying language of the school is clear: respect, kindness, and ambition. Morning drop-off feels calm and organised. Staff greet families by name, and children move confidently into their classrooms.

Mrs Hazel Pulley has led the school since 2014, bringing stability and vision to a community that was already strong. Under her leadership, the school achieved Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2019, with inspectors noting the school's inclusive culture and high academic expectations. Staff turnover is remarkably low for a London primary, with several teachers having served the school for over a decade. This continuity matters. Teachers know not just the children but their siblings, their families, and the context each child brings.

The Christian character is genuine but inclusive. Collective worship happens daily, and Christian values permeate the school's language and culture. Yet the school serves families of all faiths and none. Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh children learn alongside those from Christian backgrounds, and the school's approach is to teach Christian values while respecting the diversity of belief within the community. The values of love, forgiveness, and service are lived rather than simply displayed.

Classrooms are bright and well-resourced, with displays celebrating both academic achievement and creative work. Behaviour is excellent. Children move through the building quietly and purposefully, holding doors for one another and greeting visitors politely. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect between adults and children that feels embedded rather than enforced.

In 2024, 87% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This is a significant achievement in any context, but particularly in a school where many children arrive with English as an additional language and from families facing economic challenge.

The school ranks 507th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it well above England average and within the top 5% of schools in England. Locally, the school ranks 5th among 86 primaries in Brent, a highly competitive borough where parental expectations and school quality are both high.

Reading is a particular strength. The average scaled score of 111 exceeds the England average of 100, and 96% of pupils reached the expected standard, with 61% achieving the higher standard. Mathematics tells a similar story, with an average scaled score of 109 and 91% meeting expectations. At the higher standard, 48% of pupils achieved high scores in mathematics, compared to the England average of 19%.

In grammar, punctuation, and spelling, the average scaled score of 110 and the 61% achieving the higher standard reflect rigorous attention to technical accuracy and language structure. Writing outcomes are solid, with 13% achieving greater depth, though this is an area where the school continues to push for improvement.

Science outcomes are strong, with 94% of pupils meeting the expected standard compared to the England average of 82%. The school's focus on practical science and investigation is evident in these results.

At the higher standard, 41% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%. This demonstrates that the school is not simply ensuring all children reach expected standards but is also stretching those capable of more.

Teaching follows a clear structure. The school uses a mastery approach in mathematics, ensuring children develop deep understanding before moving forward. Lessons are carefully sequenced, with regular retrieval practice and immediate intervention for those who need additional support. Setting in mathematics begins in Year 5, allowing teachers to tailor challenge and support more precisely.

Reading is taught through systematic synthetic phonics in the early years, with children moving swiftly into guided and independent reading as fluency develops. The school library is well-stocked and heavily used, with children encouraged to read widely and often. Book corners in every classroom are inviting and varied.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. French is taught from Year 3, delivered by a specialist teacher. History and geography are taught thematically, with clear progression in knowledge and skills. Art, music, and design technology are given genuine curriculum time rather than being squeezed into gaps. The school participates in the Brent Music Service, and peripatetic music lessons are available for those wishing to learn instruments.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and explain concepts clearly. Lessons observed by inspectors were noted for their brisk pace and high expectations. Children are used to working hard and being challenged. Support for children with special educational needs is well-organised, with teaching assistants deployed effectively and interventions carefully monitored.

The school's approach to supporting children with English as an additional language is embedded rather than separate. Vocabulary is explicitly taught across all subjects, and visual supports are used routinely. This benefits all children, not just those learning English.

Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant alongside the class teacher, providing consistency and familiarity for children throughout the year. The special educational needs coordinator works full-time and oversees provision for approximately 60 pupils on the SEN register, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting its commitment to meeting diverse needs.

Behaviour management is calm and consistent. The school uses a clear behaviour policy rooted in restorative approaches. Children understand expectations and consequences. Low-level disruption is rare, and serious incidents are infrequent. When behaviour concerns arise, the school works closely with families to understand underlying causes and address them.

Emotional wellbeing is taken seriously. A trained counsellor visits weekly for children needing additional support with anxiety, bereavement, or family difficulties. The school has developed strong links with external agencies, including educational psychologists and family support services, ensuring children and families receive help when needed.

Safeguarding is robust. Staff are well-trained, and systems for recording and responding to concerns are thorough. The school understands the vulnerabilities within its community and is alert to potential risks.

The extracurricular programme runs daily after school, with clubs changing termly to offer variety. Current offerings include football, netball, basketball, athletics, choir, art, coding, chess, and drama. Participation rates are high, and the school works to ensure financial barriers do not prevent children from joining.

Music thrives. The school choir performs regularly, including at St Paul's Cathedral and local community events. Instrumental tuition is available through Brent Music Service, with subsidised lessons for families who need financial support. Approximately 80 pupils learn instruments, from violin to guitar, djembe to keyboard.

Sport is strong. The school competes in Brent inter-school competitions for football, netball, athletics, and cross-country, regularly reaching finals and winning medals. The playground offers space for physical activity, and lunchtime sports clubs ensure all children have opportunities to develop skills and confidence.

STEM: Ambition and Opportunity

Science is taught with genuine ambition. Each year group undertakes practical investigations, with children encouraged to ask questions, hypothesise, and test their ideas. The school has invested in science resources, including microscopes, circuit-building kits, and materials for investigations. Year 6 pupils dissect organs as part of their study of the human body, an experience many remember long after leaving the school.

Computing is taught discretely and integrated across subjects. Children learn coding, digital literacy, and online safety. The school has a well-equipped ICT suite and laptops for classroom use. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils participate in coding challenges and competitions, developing problem-solving skills and logical thinking.

Admissions are coordinated by Brent Local Authority. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 159 applications for 59 Reception places in 2024. The subscription ratio of 2.69 applications per place reflects sustained demand from families who recognise the school's quality.

After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated by distance. In 2024, the last distance offered was 8.61 miles. This exceptionally wide catchment reflects the school's Church of England voluntary aided status and faith-based admissions criteria. Families applying under faith criteria may live significantly further from the school than those applying under distance criteria alone. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Families applying under faith criteria must provide a Supplementary Information Form completed by their church minister, confirming regular worship. The school's admissions policy, available on the website, sets out the detailed oversubscription criteria. Parents should read this carefully and understand where their application is likely to sit within the criteria.

Nursery places are available for children from the age of three, offering morning or full-day sessions. Entry to nursery does not guarantee progression to Reception, though nursery children are given priority within the admissions criteria if they meet other requirements.

The majority of Year 6 leavers progress to local state secondaries, with Cardinal Hinsley Catholic High School, St Augustine's CofE High School, and Ark Academy being popular destinations. The school provides transition support, liaising with secondary schools to ensure smooth handover of information and pastoral continuity.

A proportion of pupils sit the 11-plus for entry to selective grammar schools including Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet and St Marylebone CofE School in Westminster. In 2024, approximately 12 pupils secured grammar school places. The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions but does not offer intensive preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange external tutoring, though this is neither necessary nor officially encouraged by the school.

Some families choose independent secondary schools, particularly for pupils who have secured scholarships. The school supports applications to independent schools, providing references and preparation for entrance assessments.

Transition is handled carefully. Year 6 pupils visit their new secondary schools in the summer term, and staff from receiving schools visit Princess Frederica to meet children and discuss their needs. For children with special educational needs or those who are anxious about transition, additional visits and support are arranged.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:30pm. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am, offering a calm start to the day with breakfast provided. After-school club runs until 6:00pm, providing childcare for working families. Both clubs are reasonably priced and are subsidised for families receiving certain benefits.

Nursery operates morning sessions (8:50am to 11:50am) and full-day sessions (8:50am to 3:30pm). Government-funded hours are available for eligible families. For nursery fees and full details of provision, visit the school website or contact the school office directly.

The school is located on College Road in Kensal Green, well-served by public transport. Kensal Green Underground station (Bakerloo line) is a ten-minute walk. Buses 18, 52, and 452 stop nearby. Parking is limited in the surrounding streets, and families are encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport.

School uniform is required and available from the school office or local suppliers. The school operates a uniform exchange scheme, allowing families to purchase second-hand items at low cost.

Faith criteria and distance. While the last distance offered was 8.61 miles in 2024, this reflects applications under faith criteria. Families applying without a faith reference may find the effective catchment significantly tighter. Understanding the detailed admissions criteria is essential. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Diversity and inclusion. The school serves a richly diverse community, and children learn alongside peers from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds. For families seeking a more homogenous environment, this may not be the right fit. For those who value diversity as an educational strength, it is a significant asset.

Christian ethos. The school's Church of England character is genuine. Collective worship, Christian values, and links to the parish church are integral to school life. Families uncomfortable with Christian teaching and worship should consider whether this is the right environment for their child, though the school welcomes families of all faiths and none.

Expectations are high. The school expects children to work hard, complete homework, and engage with learning. For some families, this is exactly what they seek. For others, it may feel pressured. Visiting the school and observing lessons will help families assess fit.

Consistently outstanding results, an inclusive and diverse community, and a genuine Christian ethos make Princess Frederica a sought-after choice for families across Brent and beyond. The school combines academic rigour with warmth, high expectations with genuine care. Best suited to families seeking excellent primary education rooted in Christian values but open to all. The school's ability to achieve top-tier results while serving a community where many children arrive with English as an additional language is testament to the quality of teaching and leadership. The main challenge is securing a place. For those who do, the education and community here are exceptional.