Hawley Primary School Review 2026: Creative Curriculum in Camden's Vibrant Community

Hawley Primary School sits on Hawley Road in Camden Town, a single-form entry state primary serving 228 pupils aged 3 to 11. The school relocated to a new building in 2016, transforming from a Victorian-era infants school into an all-through primary with nursery provision. Hawley has maintained a Good Ofsted rating across five consecutive inspections, most recently in June 2024. The school's ethos centres on its "Hawley Habits of Learning", encouraging children to love learning, achieve excellence and belong. Parents value the family feel and creative curriculum, while admissions data confirms high demand: the school received 115 applications for just 30 Reception places, with the furthest place offered at 0.32 miles.

Hawley Primary describes itself as "the village school in Camden", a fitting identity for a school that relocated from a Victorian building to a modern facility while retaining strong community ties. The move in November 2016 enabled the expansion from infants-only to a full primary, adding nursery through Year 6 provision. The school now operates under partnership with Eleanor Palmer, an Outstanding-rated local school, sharing executive headship under Sally Hill and Natalie Stevenson, with Lacey Cousins as Head of School.

The school's core values emphasise partnership with families in a safe and nurturing environment where children and their families feel welcomed, valued and respected. The curriculum is deliberately creative, topic-based and thematic, designed to develop knowledge, understanding and personal characteristics. Ofsted's June 2024 inspection noted that the school's "Hawley habits" enable pupils to develop their well-being extremely well, with a strong focus on personal development and respect for all faiths and cultures.

Parents consistently highlight the "family feel" of this single-form entry school, where each year group forms one class. The HART (Hawley Arts Trust) space displays student artwork, reinforcing the school's commitment to creative education. Safeguarding is effective, and pupils benefit from wide-ranging experiences including trips and opportunities to learn musical instruments taught by specialist teachers.

Hawley Primary delivers results comfortably above national averages. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. The proportion achieving the higher standard in all three subjects stood at 22%, nearly triple the national figure of 8%.

Breaking down the results, 77% met expectations in both reading and mathematics, with average scaled scores of 106 and 105 respectively. In reading, 31% achieved the higher standard, while 23% did so in mathematics. Grammar, punctuation and spelling saw 73% reach the expected level with an average scaled score of 105. Writing at greater depth was recorded at 12%, and science exceeded expectations with 88% meeting the required standard against a national average of 82%.

The school ranks 28th among Camden primaries and sits in the middle quintile nationally, reflecting solid performance in a competitive borough. Pupils achieving high scores across reading, mathematics and grammar stood at 24%, indicating strong outcomes for higher attainers. The total combined scaled score of 316 places Hawley above average.

The school employs specialist teachers for music instruction, ensuring all children learn instruments as part of the curriculum. A dedicated Sports Coach works across year groups, with programmes including football tournaments and inter-school competitions. Hawley achieved the Silver School Games Mark for 2023/24, recognising sports participation and engagement. The school has also been designated an Asthma Friendly School within Camden.

The creative, topic-based curriculum moves beyond traditional subject silos, encouraging pupils to make connections across their learning. This approach underpins the "Hawley Habits of Learning", supporting children's well-being and fostering a love of learning from nursery onwards. Pupils participate in initiatives such as Camden Art Biennale and Google's Design for Everyone competition, demonstrating applied learning beyond the classroom.

The 2016 relocation provided Hawley with purpose-built facilities designed for 236 pupils. The new building includes the HART space, a dedicated area for displaying creative work and student art. Specialist teaching spaces support music instruction, while outdoor areas accommodate sports coaching and playground activities.

Extracurricular provision includes after-school clubs and a breakfast club, extending the school day for working families. Sports offerings feature football (including girls' football initiatives under the #LetGirlsPlay campaign), inter-school tournaments and structured coaching. Music remains central, with all pupils learning instruments taught by specialists.

The school's Camden Town location places it in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods, with strong transport links and cultural institutions nearby. Pupils benefit from local trips and partnerships, including collaboration with Eleanor Palmer school and participation in borough-wide creative projects.

Hawley Primary operates within Camden's coordinated admissions system. For Reception entry in September 2026, the application deadline is January 2026, with National Primary Offers Day falling on 16 April 2026. Nursery applications for the same intake close on 31 March 2026, with offers made in May. Parents should note that a nursery place does not guarantee Reception entry; separate applications are required.

Demand for places is substantial. The most recent admissions round saw 115 applications for 30 Reception places, a subscription ratio of 3.83:1, marking the school as oversubscribed. The furthest distance offered was 0.32 miles, confirming a tight catchment in this densely populated area of inner London. Camden operates on a distance-based system rather than fixed catchment boundaries, so proximity is critical.

When Reception or nursery places are oversubscribed, Camden allocates according to this hierarchy: children with Education, Health and Care Plans; looked-after or previously looked-after children; siblings at the school (Reception to Year 5; nursery pupils are not counted as siblings); children with exceptional medical or social need with a clear link to the school; children of qualified teachers or teaching assistants employed at the school for two or more years; and finally, other children prioritised by straight-line distance from home to the school centre.

Parents applying for Reception 2026 should use Camden's E-Admissions website by the January deadline. Nursery applications are submitted via a Google Form linked on the school's admissions page. In-year applications are managed directly by the school. All offers are for full-time places only, and applicants must reside at the stated address with those holding parental responsibility.

Given the subscription rate and tight distance threshold, families living outside a third of a mile should consider alternative Camden primaries or prepare for appeals. The school's partnership with Eleanor Palmer may offer coordination in admissions advice, though each school maintains its own process through the local authority.

Hawley Primary School is a well-run, creative Camden primary with results consistently above national averages and a strong reputation for well-being and personal development. The school's transformation from a Victorian infants school to a modern all-through primary has been managed effectively, maintaining Good Ofsted ratings and strong parental satisfaction. The single-form entry model delivers a close-knit, family atmosphere where staff know every child well.

Academic results place Hawley in solid territory, with three-quarters of pupils meeting expected standards in core subjects and nearly a quarter achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. The school's creative curriculum, specialist music teaching and strong pastoral care create an environment where children develop both academically and personally. The Hawley Habits of Learning framework supports resilience and engagement, while extracurricular provision in sports and arts broadens pupils' experiences.

Competition for places is fierce, reflecting Hawley's location in Camden Town and its reputation as a nurturing, effective school. Families should be realistic about catchment: 0.32 miles is tight, and only those living very close are likely to secure a place. The admissions process is transparent, following Camden's standard criteria, but proximity is essential in this densely populated borough.

Hawley is well suited to families seeking a creative, inclusive primary with strong community ties and above-average results, provided they live close enough to meet the distance threshold. The school's partnership with Eleanor Palmer and its modern facilities position it well for continued success. Parents valuing specialist teaching, a nurturing ethos and a curriculum that goes beyond traditional subjects will find much to appreciate. However, those seeking selective entry, exceptional academic results or guaranteed access from further afield should look elsewhere.

Is Hawley Primary School a good school?

Yes, Hawley Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (June 2024) and has maintained this rating across five consecutive inspections. The school delivers academic results comfortably above national averages, with 77% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. The school's creative curriculum, specialist music teaching and strong pastoral care create a supportive learning environment. Parents consistently praise the family feel and wide-ranging experiences offered.

How do I apply to Hawley Primary School?

For Reception entry in September 2026, apply via Camden's E-Admissions website by January 2026. Offers are made on National Primary Offers Day, 16 April 2026. Nursery applications for September 2026 close on 31 March 2026, with offers in May, submitted via a Google Form on the school's website. A nursery place does not guarantee Reception entry; separate applications are required. In-year applications are managed directly by the school. Camden allocates places based on distance when oversubscribed, following children with EHCPs, looked-after children, siblings, exceptional need, staff children, and then proximity.

What is the catchment area for Hawley Primary School?

Camden does not operate fixed catchment areas. Places are allocated by straight-line distance from home to school when oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions round, the furthest place offered was 0.32 miles. With 115 applications for 30 Reception places, competition is high. Families living beyond a third of a mile are unlikely to secure a place unless they qualify under higher priority criteria such as sibling, looked-after status or exceptional need. Proximity to the school on Hawley Road, Camden Town NW1 8RP, is essential.

Does Hawley Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Hawley Primary provides nursery places for children from age 3, operating full-time only. Nursery applications for September 2026 close on 31 March 2026, with offers made in May. Parents must apply separately for nursery and Reception; attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery siblings are not counted in the sibling criterion for Reception admissions. Applications are submitted via a Google Form linked on the school's admissions page.

What are the school's strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths include academic results above national averages, a creative topic-based curriculum, specialist music teaching where all pupils learn instruments, strong pastoral care and well-being support through the Hawley Habits framework, and effective partnership with Eleanor Palmer school. The modern building and HART arts space support creative learning, and the school maintains a family atmosphere with strong parental satisfaction. Weaknesses are primarily around admissions competition and tight catchment. The single-form entry limits capacity, and families living beyond 0.32 miles are unlikely to gain access. The school's location in densely populated Camden Town intensifies demand.