Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism Review 2026: Inclusive Camden Mainstream with Specialist Autism Provision

Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism is a two-form entry community primary in Camden Town serving children aged 2 to 11, distinguished by the Woodlands Centre for Autism—a specialist resource base for 30 pupils with education, health and care plans alongside the mainstream school. Rated Good overall by Ofsted in May 2024, with Outstanding judgements in four of five categories, Netley sits within a purpose-built campus at 74 Stanhope Street, close to Warren Street tube, educating 381 pupils across Acorns (age 2), Nursery, Reception, and Years 1–6. The school describes itself as "a beacon for inclusivity", where children with special needs thrive either in Woodlands or in mainstream classrooms, while a curriculum rooted in careers education, the arts, and global citizenship asks every child: "Who do I want to be?" Capacity stands at 481, including the Woodlands provision. Latest performance data show 69% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, above the national average of 62%, ranking Netley in line with national norms and placing it 35th out of 51 ranked primaries in Camden. Admissions are managed through Camden Council. The school was oversubscribed for Reception entry, receiving 65 applications for 41 places, and the furthest successful applicant lived 3.65 miles from the school.

Netley positions itself as "a happy, rights respecting school" where "everyone takes steps to better themselves and their community, as they become responsible, global citizens." Under the leadership of Gareth Morris, Head of School, and John Hayes, Executive Head, the school holds high aspirations for every child's academic attainment and personal development. The central question—"Who do I want to be?"—underpins a curriculum designed to reflect the diverse community Netley serves and prepare children for a rapidly changing world. Philosophy for children, global citizenship, wellbeing, and careers education are embedded across year groups, and the school organises annual whole-school projects with local partners that culminate in an evening exhibition where Netley transforms into a museum to showcase pupils' work to families and friends.

Inclusivity is woven into daily life. Woodlands, the specialist centre for autism, is integrated into the campus rather than separated, and mainstream classes include children with a range of additional needs. The May 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding grades for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision, praising Netley's exceptional commitment to inclusion and the quality of support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Inspectors noted high expectations, a safe and nurturing environment, and the significant difference the school makes to pupils and their families.

In 2017 Netley opened Acorns, a centre for two-year-olds, and the iThink Lab, a dedicated space promoting STEAM subjects with external partners. The campus itself is described as a state-of-the-art learning environment for children and adults. Netley's values emphasise creativity, curiosity, and responsibility, preparing children to contribute positively to their community and the wider world.

Netley's curriculum is broad, knowledge-rich, and enriched by the arts, technology, and philosophy. Teaching is supported by specialist staff in art and physical education, and the school partners with London theatres and national music and arts academies for regular visits. In the May 2024 inspection, the Quality of Education was judged Good, with Outstanding ratings for leadership and early years.

At Key Stage 2, the most recent results show 69% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, 7% above the national average of 62%. In individual subjects, 80% met the expected standard in maths (scaled score 105), 73% in grammar, punctuation and spelling (scaled score 105), and 66% in reading (scaled score 103). The proportion achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths stood at 11%, above the national figure of 8%. Science results were strong, with 76% reaching the expected standard. Writing at greater depth was achieved by 7% of pupils. These outcomes place Netley in line with national norms, ranking 9,031st in England and 35th locally in Camden.

For children with special educational needs, Netley provides graduated support within mainstream classes and, for those with an autistic spectrum disorder and an EHCP, places in Woodlands. The centre is staffed by specialist teachers and teaching assistants trained in autism-specific approaches. Woodlands has three classrooms serving nursery and primary-age children (3–11 years) and operates with a capacity of 30. Families can contact Woodlands directly via woodlands@netley.camden.sch.uk or by calling the school reception.

Early years provision is Outstanding. Acorns (age 2), Nursery, and Reception classes offer daily learning opportunities indoors and in the outdoor garden, recognising that young children learn best through active, independent play. The curriculum covers all seven areas of learning, fostering curiosity, social skills, and knowledge in a stimulating environment.

Netley Campus provides purpose-built facilities including the iThink Lab for STEAM learning, Acorns for two-year-olds, and three classrooms within Woodlands. The school's location near Warren Street tube gives access to central London's cultural institutions. A specialist art teacher develops pupils' creativity across the visual arts, both as a discrete subject and integrated into other curriculum areas. Children learn to observe the world and represent it through different media.

Physical education includes one lesson each of gymnastics or dance and games per week, delivered by a specialist teacher. Year 4 pupils have weekly swimming lessons at a local pool. Extracurricular sport is extensive: children from Year 1 to Year 6 can join a wide range of after-school clubs and inter-borough competitions through the Camden School Sports Association. Netley's football team trains on Mondays and competes in the CSSA league at Regents High School on Tuesday evenings. Year 5 and 6 pupils receive specialist coaching from Arsenal Double Club every Friday evening, with an annual trip to Emirates Stadium.

Whole-school projects involve partnerships with local organisations, and the annual exhibition evening turns the school into a public display of learning. Staff plan theatre visits and trips to national music and arts academies. The campus design supports collaboration between children and adults, with Woodlands pupils integrated into the wider school community wherever possible.

Netley is a community school within Camden's coordinated admissions scheme. Applications for Reception entry open each September, with a deadline in mid-January for the following September start. Parents apply online via Camden Council. In the latest cycle, Netley received 65 applications for 41 Reception places, making the school oversubscribed with a subscription rate of 1.59. The furthest successful applicant lived 3.65 miles from the school, reflecting strong demand and a wide geographic draw.

Camden's oversubscription criteria apply. After children with an education, health and care plan naming Netley, places are offered to looked-after children and previously looked-after children, then siblings of current pupils, then children with an exceptional educational, medical or social need supported by professional evidence, and finally by straight-line distance from home to school. If necessary, priority within sibling or looked-after groups is decided by distance.

Netley serves the West Euston area but draws families from across Camden and beyond, partly because of Woodlands and partly because of the school's inclusive ethos and strong results. The 3.65-mile distance for the last offer indicates competition for places. Families interested in mainstream provision or Woodlands should contact the school for a tour (admin@netley.camden.sch.uk or 020 3772 0350) and ensure they understand Camden's application process and deadlines. Woodlands places are allocated via Camden's SEND panel for children with an EHCP specifying an autistic spectrum disorder.

Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism offers a compelling combination for Camden families: strong academic outcomes in line with or above national averages, an explicitly inclusive environment where children with additional needs are valued and supported, and a curriculum that prioritises curiosity, creativity, and preparation for future careers. The May 2024 Ofsted inspection—Good overall, Outstanding in four categories—confirms the school's effectiveness in behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years provision. For families seeking a mainstream primary with specialist autism provision on the same campus, Netley is distinctive in Camden. The West Euston location, accessible transport links, and purpose-built facilities add practical appeal.

Woodlands is a particular strength, providing expert support for 30 children with ECHPs and autistic spectrum disorders while fostering integration with the mainstream school. Parents of children with autism or other special needs will find a school genuinely committed to inclusion, not as a policy but as daily practice. Mainstream families benefit from a diverse, empathetic community, specialist teaching in art and PE, extensive extracurricular sport including Arsenal coaching, and partnerships with London's cultural institutions.

Admissions are competitive: 65 applications for 41 places, with the last offer going 3.65 miles from the school. Families in West Euston and nearby postcodes have a realistic prospect, but those further afield should understand the distance criterion and consider backup options. The school's ethos—asking every child "Who do I want to be?"—and the annual exhibition evening exemplify a nurturing, aspirational environment where achievement, creativity, and community responsibility matter equally. For inclusive education in central Camden, Netley is a strong, evidence-backed choice.

Is Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism a good school?

Yes. Netley was rated Good overall by Ofsted in May 2024, with Outstanding judgements for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. At Key Stage 2, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 7% above the national average. The school serves 381 pupils including 30 in Woodlands, the specialist autism centre. Inspectors praised Netley's exceptional commitment to inclusion, high expectations, and the quality of support for pupils with SEND. The curriculum is enriched by the arts, STEAM learning, and global citizenship, and extracurricular provision includes Arsenal football coaching and regular visits to London theatres and cultural venues.

How do I apply to Netley Primary School & Centre for Autism?

Netley is a community school in Camden, so you apply through Camden Council's coordinated admissions scheme. Applications for Reception entry open in early September and close in mid-January for the following September start. Apply online via Camden Council's admissions portal. After children with an education, health and care plan naming the school, places are offered to looked-after and previously looked-after children, siblings of current pupils, children with exceptional educational, medical or social need (with professional evidence), and then by straight-line distance from home to school. The school was oversubscribed in the latest cycle (65 applications for 41 places), and the furthest successful applicant lived 3.65 miles away. For Woodlands (the autism centre), placement is arranged via Camden's SEND panel for children with an EHCP. Contact the school for a tour: admin@netley.camden.sch.uk or 020 3772 0350. Full details and deadlines are on Camden Council's school admissions pages.