Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3 Review 2026: Hampstead's Historic Church School with Outstanding Ofsted Ratings

Founded in 1873, Holy Trinity CofE Primary School stands on Victorian foundations in the heart of Hampstead, operating from a historic site granted by the Wilson family in 1874. This small, one-form entry Church of England school now serves 174 pupils aged 4 to 11 from its Trinity Walk campus, with the motto "Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow" guiding a community deeply rooted in Christian values and local heritage. Following its November 2024 Ofsted inspection, the school achieved Outstanding ratings across all five inspection areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. As a voluntary aided school, it operates within a three-school Church of England partnership led by Executive Headteacher Laura Hall, alongside Hampstead Parochial School and Emmanuel CofE Primary. With 27 places available each September and 122 applications competing for them, Holy Trinity is heavily oversubscribed, requiring families to live within approximately 0.4 miles of the school gates. Recent accolades include Artsmark Gold, PSQM (2023), and re-accreditation as a British Council International School and UNICEF Rights Respecting School (Outstanding).

Holy Trinity opened in 1873 in a former temporary church in Conduit Fields (Belsize Lane), initially accommodating around 90 pupils in mixed and infant rooms. A permanent school building was constructed in 1876 on land donated by the Wilson family, with capacity for 174 mixed pupils and 70 infants, funded by parliamentary grants and the National Society. Renamed Holy Trinity in 1932, the school has undergone incremental improvements, including a new classroom added to the playground in 1978. Today it remains a small, caring Church of England school, firmly committed to Christian teaching and spiritual development.

The school's Christian ethos permeates daily life, with a vision encouraging all community members "to have the strength to aim high and be an agent of change." Holistic development and strong pastoral care underpin the curriculum. UNICEF inspectors described a "calm and encouraging environment" where "relationships are respectful and trustworthy, and everyone is made to feel at home." Partnerships with local Church of England and independent schools enrich the educational offer, and the school participates in spiritual development programmes that connect pupils to the wider Anglican community.

Behaviour and personal development were both judged Outstanding in the most recent Ofsted inspection, reflecting the school's emphasis on respect, high expectations, and a nurturing culture. The House Captains and Class Representatives system fosters leadership and responsibility among pupils. Parents report a welcoming atmosphere, and the school's relatively small size ensures that every child is known as an individual.

At Key Stage 2, Holy Trinity performs solidly. In the most recent results, 87% of pupils met the expected standard in the combined reading, writing and maths measure, well above the national average of 62%. A quarter of pupils (25%) achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, compared to 8% nationally. The school ranks 5,486th in England and 25th locally in Camden, placing it in line with national averages.

Breaking down subject performance: 91% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading (average scaled score 107), with 35% achieving the higher standard. In maths, 83% met the expected level (average scaled score 104), and 17% scored at the higher level. For grammar, punctuation and spelling, 87% reached the expected standard (average scaled score 106), and 35% achieved high scores. In writing, 22% demonstrated greater depth, and 91% met the expected standard in science, well above the 82% national average. Boys at Holy Trinity performed particularly strongly, with 85% reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, while the figure for girls was 50%.

The school's curriculum, described by Ofsted as Outstanding in quality, is broad and balanced. The Place Dance Partnership and Artsmark Gold Award highlight a commitment to arts education, while PSQM recognition signals strong science provision. Religious education is a core component, reflecting the school's Church of England character. The Executive Headteacher, Laura Hall, also holds responsibility for RE and safeguarding, ensuring these areas remain priorities.

Class sizes are relatively small given the one-form entry structure, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, allowing for more individualised attention than in larger primaries. The school does not have on-site nursery provision, but it accepts children from a range of local nurseries in the community. Early years provision was rated Outstanding, indicating a strong foundation for Reception pupils.

Extracurricular provision includes Breakfast Club and after-school care through The Winchester Club, supporting working families. Residential trips, competitions, and tournaments feature in the calendar, and Health & Wellbeing days emphasise holistic development. The school's engagement with The Place Dance Partnership enriches performing arts opportunities, while Artsmark Gold status reflects sustained excellence in arts provision across music, drama, and visual arts.

The historic school building, dating from 1876, occupies a compact site on Trinity Walk. Facilities have been incrementally improved over the decades, with modern classrooms and specialist spaces supporting a 21st-century curriculum. The playground accommodates outdoor learning and physical education, though the small urban campus imposes practical constraints on sports facilities. Partnerships with local organisations and schools help broaden the range of activities available.

Holy Trinity is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, 122 families applied for 27 Reception places, a subscription ratio of 4.5 to 1. The furthest distance offered was 0.4 miles (approximately 644 metres), and the proportion of first preferences to first preference offers stands at 1.36, indicating that many families rank Holy Trinity as their top choice but do not secure a place.

Applications for September 2026 Reception entry open on 1 September 2025, with a deadline of 15 January 2026. All applicants must apply through Camden local authority's Common Application Form and also complete the school's supplementary form by the same deadline. The school offers regular tours on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM from September through December 2025; booking is required via phone (0207 435 9089) or email.

As a voluntary aided Church of England school, Holy Trinity sets its own admissions policy, which prioritises certain categories of applicants. While the full policy details are published on the school's website under the "About Us" section, typical voluntary aided Church of England oversubscription criteria include looked after children, siblings, families with active church attendance or affiliation, and proximity to the school. Families should consult the published policy carefully to understand how these criteria apply and whether they are likely to qualify under faith-based categories, as living within the catchment distance alone may not guarantee a place.

In-year admissions (for Years 1 to 6) are managed directly by the school. Applicants complete both a Common Application Form and the school's supplementary form, and waiting list places are ranked according to the admissions policy. Children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming Holy Trinity are admitted outside the normal process; parents should contact Camden SEND services. An independent appeals process, administered through Camden, is available for unsuccessful applicants.

Given the tight catchment and high demand, families should consider Holy Trinity alongside other local Church of England and community primaries. Living extremely close to the school and meeting priority criteria (such as sibling attendance or church affiliation) significantly improves the chances of securing a place.

Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3 is a high-performing, oversubscribed Church of England primary delivering Outstanding provision in all inspected areas. Its location in the heart of Hampstead, historic character, and strong Christian ethos appeal to families seeking a small, values-driven environment with a proven track record of academic and pastoral excellence. Results at Key Stage 2 are well above national averages, particularly in reading and science, and the school's commitment to the arts, international partnerships, and pupil wellbeing creates a broad and enriching educational experience.

The tight catchment and intense admissions competition mean that Holy Trinity is accessible primarily to families living very close to the school or those meeting priority faith criteria. Prospective parents should carefully review the admissions policy, attend a school tour, and consider whether their home address and circumstances align with the school's oversubscription categories. For those who secure a place, Holy Trinity offers a nurturing, academically strong, and deeply rooted community primary with a long history of service to Hampstead's families.

Is Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3 a good school?

Yes. Holy Trinity achieved Outstanding ratings across all five categories in its November 2024 Ofsted inspection, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Academic results are well above national averages, with 87% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2, and 25% reaching the higher standard. The school benefits from a strong Christian ethos, small class sizes (pupil-to-teacher ratio 17:1), and recognition including Artsmark Gold, PSQM, and UNICEF Rights Respecting School (Outstanding).

How do I apply to Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3?

For September 2026 Reception entry, applications open on 1 September 2025 and close on 15 January 2026. Parents must apply through Camden local authority's Common Application Form and also complete the school's supplementary form by the same deadline. The school offers regular tours on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM from September through December; book via phone (0207 435 9089) or email. In-year admissions (Years 1–6) are handled directly by the school using the same dual-form process. Children with EHC Plans should contact Camden SEND services separately.

What is the catchment area for Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3?

In the most recent admissions round, the furthest distance offered was approximately 0.4 miles (644 metres). However, as a voluntary aided Church of England school, Holy Trinity applies a priority-based admissions policy that considers looked after children, siblings, church attendance or affiliation, and proximity. Living within the catchment distance does not guarantee a place; families should review the full policy on the school's website to understand how faith and other criteria affect their chances. With 122 applications for 27 places, the school is heavily oversubscribed.

What are the school's facilities like?

Holy Trinity occupies a historic building constructed in 1876 on a compact urban site at Trinity Walk, Hampstead. Facilities have been modernised over time, including classroom additions in 1978 and ongoing improvements. The school offers outdoor learning spaces, a playground, and specialist resources supporting the broad curriculum. Partnerships with The Place Dance Partnership and local organisations extend opportunities beyond the physical campus. While the small site constrains sports facilities, the school compensates through external partnerships and a strong emphasis on arts, science, and residential trips.

What extracurricular activities are available?

Holy Trinity offers Breakfast Club and after-school care through The Winchester Club, supporting working families. Extracurricular provision includes residential trips, competitions, tournaments, and Health & Wellbeing days. The school's Artsmark Gold Award and partnership with The Place Dance Partnership highlight strengths in performing and visual arts. The House Captains and Class Representatives system fosters leadership and responsibility, and pupils benefit from the school's British Council International School accreditation and partnerships with local Church of England and independent schools.