Eleanor Palmer Primary School Review 2026: Relentless Excellence in a Tufnell Park Haven

On the site of the 1905 Acland School building, Eleanor Palmer has evolved into one of London's most accomplished primary schools. The classroom bells ring promptly at 9am. Beyond the gates, a hushed intensity prevails: pupils move between lessons with purposeful focus, and achievement is quietly celebrated. With just 30 children per year group across 236 pupils, this is an intimate setting where staff know each child by name. The school ranks 990th in England for KS2 outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally and among the strongest in Camden. It was rated Outstanding across all domains in its September 2023 Ofsted inspection, with inspectors noting that pupils develop exceptionally detailed knowledge across the curriculum and excel in their learning. The last reception place went to a child 0.153 miles away, reflecting extraordinary demand.

Eleanor Palmer is driven by co-headteachers Sally Hill and Natalie Stevenson, who have shaped a school culture where learning and kindness coexist without tension. Since 2021, their vision has been validated repeatedly: pupils thrive in what Ofsted termed a "nurturing and supportive" setting, yet expectations remain unflinching. Walk through the corridors and the atmosphere is calm; classrooms hum with focused activity. Behaviour is exemplary not through rigid control but through clarity about shared values and consistent application. Children take responsibility early: Reception pupils rotate as class monitors, and older pupils serve as reading buddies for younger ones. The emphasis on emotional resilience runs deep. Inspectors observed that pupils identify emotions and adopt a growth mindset where setbacks become opportunities to improve. In PE, for example, pupils strive to beat their own records in three-lap challenges. The school's celebration of diversity — with 39% of pupils speaking English as an additional language — means every child knows they are welcome. Governance is exceptional: the chair, Christophe Frerebeau, leads a knowledgeable and engaged governing body that provides both challenge and support, and this is visible in the care lavished on school infrastructure and strategic direction.

KS2 Performance

Eleanor Palmer's 2024 KS2 results place the school firmly in the highest tier locally and nationally. In reading, writing and mathematics combined, 89% of pupils met the expected standard, well above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard — a demanding benchmark — 46% achieved this level compared to the England average of 8%, positioning the school in the elite tier for deeper attainment. Reading scaled scores averaged 108 (England average 100), mathematics 109 (100), and grammar, punctuation and spelling 110 (100). These figures reflect not raw ability but cumulative knowledge built through careful sequencing from early years upwards. The school's ranking of 990th in England (FindMySchool data) places it among the top 10% of primary schools nationally and 12th among 87 schools in Camden. Progress measures confirm pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, even accounting for their already-strong baseline.

Early Years

The nursery provision, rated Outstanding in the 2023 inspection, provides a foundation that extends beyond statutory requirements. Children transition gradually into reception, receiving support through early learning goals. The emphasis on communication, confidence and emotional literacy begins here, shaping the outlook pupils carry through the school.

The curriculum philosophy reflects decades of evolution. Teachers employ a topic-based approach where each term focuses on a subject-led topic — geography, history or science — that builds diverse cultural capital and deepens knowledge. Year 4, for instance, explores Romans in Britain in autumn; other years might study different civilisations, ecosystems or historical periods. This structure allows connections to flourish; pupils learn how history shapes geography, or how scientific method applies across contexts. The approach is rigorous. Ofsted noted that staff are "well trained" and check pupils' understanding carefully, identifying and correcting errors routinely. High-quality training ensures teachers build subject expertise, presenting knowledge clearly. Books are carefully matched to phonics learning to ensure decoding fluency; ambitious texts expose pupils to broad and rich literature. French begins in Year 1, taught by a specialist. Specialist teaching in art, music and sport ensures depth in these disciplines.

Knowledge is central to design. Concepts and vocabulary are thoughtfully selected; pupils are taught to recall knowledge with ease through low-stakes quizzes and regular assessment. Learning is made vivid through trips, visiting experts and community connections. This approach — combining rigour with experience — mirrors the school's mantra that children learn best through curricula with "depth, breadth and connection."

Eleanor Palmer's extracurricular provision is the beating heart of school life and reflects the school's commitment to enrichment well beyond national curriculum requirements. Clubs span sports, music tuition, spelling, and art; pupils take on roles as diversity champions and reading buddies. Every pupil is encouraged to participate in "The Big School Meeting," where their votes influence school decisions — pupils literally selected the flooring for recent refurbishment, embedding agency into daily experience.

Swimming is universal: all children in Years 1-6 participate in intensive daily lessons for a fortnight annually, with 97% of Year 6 able to swim at least 25 metres. The school leverages Hampstead Heath for class activities and walks almost everywhere — to pools, local spaces and beyond. Sports provision is comprehensive and inclusive. Basketball, football, cricket and dodgeball feature in PE lessons; teams compete in borough-wide events. Representative squads exist for older pupils, but inclusive squads ensure all abilities participate without feeling sidelined.

Music and arts are positioned prominently. Specialist music teaching means many pupils learn instruments through tuition programmes. Dance groups, art projects and whole-school productions enrich the calendar. A Winter Concert draws the community together; end-of-year performances showcase pupil talent in drama and music. Scientists in residence visit regularly, sparking curiosity about STEM. The school champions outdoor learning; classes use Hampstead Heath for exploration and investigation.

The trip programme is extraordinary and carefully crafted to embed learning. Residential journeys occur in Years 2 (introductory), 4, 5 and 6, with notable destinations including Sayers Croft and Wick Court. These aren't add-ons; they are woven into topic work, with pupils returning with direct experience of geography or historical sites. Beyond residentials, educational visits and visiting experts enrich every term. The school fundraises substantially to supplement government funding — the winter fair alone raised £8,500 in 2024. Breakfast club (from 8am) and after-school Playcentre (until 6pm) provide wraparound care with creative and sports opportunities. Families appreciate the structure; attendance runs at 96-97%, among the highest in the borough.

Admission to Eleanor Palmer is fiercely competitive. In the most recent cycle, 224 families applied for just 29 reception places, a ratio of 7.72:1. The last distance offered was 0.153 miles in 2024, meaning only children living exceptionally close secured places. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. The school operates under standard Camden admissions criteria: looked-after children and those with EHCPs first, then siblings, then proximity to school. There is no formal catchment boundary, so distance fluctuates yearly. Families should verify their current distance before relying on a place; use the FindMySchoolMap tool to check precise location relative to the school gates. The nursery accepts applications separately for each intake; interested families should contact the school directly.

The vast majority of Eleanor Palmer leavers progress to Acland Burghley School, with approximately 59% of Year 6 cohorts entering there. Parliament Hill School receives roughly 15%, with other destinations including selective options. Approximately 15 pupils per year secure grammar school places through the 11-plus route. The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions but does not offer intensive preparation; families pursuing grammar entry typically arrange external tutoring. The school's excellent primary results and attention to readiness for secondary transition mean pupils arrive at their next school well-prepared, both academically and emotionally.

School day runs 9am to 3:30pm. Gates open at 8:45am; a senior member of staff supervises the playground. The traditional bell sounds at 9am sharp; punctuality is emphasised. Breakfast club operates from 8am daily; after-school Playcentre runs until 6pm, with creative and sports activities. Both clubs are popular and support working families. This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families contribute voluntarily towards trips (approximately £30 annually); the school subsidises residentials through fundraising and budgetary allocation, ensuring no family is excluded. Government-funded early years hours apply to nursery provision; contact the school for current funding details.

The wellbeing curriculum is comprehensive and age-appropriate. It focuses on healthy living and provides pupils with opportunities to develop talents and interests. Inspectors praised the "comprehensive and age-appropriate programme" that underpins this work. A growth mindset philosophy — where mistakes are reframed as learning opportunities — is embedded from Reception onwards. Children learn to identify and manage emotions, a life skill threaded through PSHE and whole-school initiatives. Reading buddies, diversity champions and other pupil leadership roles foster confidence and communication. Pupils receive swift identification and appropriate personalised support when struggling. The school's three core rules — Ready, Respectful and Safe — are applied consistently and fairly. Staff are exceptionally positive about working here; the leadership invests in reducing unnecessary workload and supporting employee wellbeing, which translates into a calm and focused teaching and learning environment. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with rigorous checks and transparent culture prioritising pupil safety.

Intense competition for entry. With nearly 8 applications per place and the last distance offered at 0.153 miles, securing a reception place requires living extremely close or meeting priority criteria. Verify distance carefully before house hunting or relying on entry.

Rigorous pace. The school's ambitious curriculum and high expectations suit pupils who engage enthusiastically with learning. Those who struggle to keep pace or prefer a less academically intense environment may find the setting pressured.

Enrichment requires fundraising. While core education is excellent and free, the extraordinary provision in music, trips and extracurricular activities depends on parental fundraising and voluntary donations. The school is transparent about this; families without capacity to contribute should be aware that some enhanced experiences carry cost or depend on fundraising campaigns.

Eleanor Palmer is a state school of remarkable quality, combining stellar academic results with a genuine emphasis on character, emotional resilience and community. Inspection validation, exceptional pupil attainment and outstanding leadership make this a beacon in Camden. Ofsted's judgment — Outstanding in all domains in 2023 — reflects a school where rigorous curriculum sits alongside warmth and trust. Best suited to families within the tiny catchment who prioritise academic achievement and breadth of experience, and whose children thrive in a purposeful, knowledge-rich environment. The main hurdle is securing a place; once in, the education is exceptional.