Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Catholic Education in Camden Town

Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School in Camden Town has completed a remarkable journey from an "Inadequate" Ofsted rating in 2009 to "Outstanding" in 2023, reflecting a decade-long commitment to educational excellence. This mixed Catholic primary school, serving 3–11-year-olds at its Pratt Street site, welcomes families from all faith backgrounds and values community diversity under its motto: "Go shine in the world and live as Jesus lived." With 30 reception places available each year and 52 applications for those places, the school is consistently oversubscribed. Under Head of School Emma O'Reilly and Executive Headteacher Moya Richardson, Our Lady's combines strong academic outcomes—84% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, well above the 62% national average—with a nurturing pastoral environment where pupils' musical, sporting and artistic talents are celebrated. For families seeking a Catholic primary education in central London that balances faith, inclusivity and academic ambition, Our Lady's offers a compelling choice.

Our Lady's is a voluntary-aided Catholic primary school within the Archdiocese of Westminster, and its identity is rooted in faith without being exclusive. The school explicitly welcomes children from all faith backgrounds and those with no religious affiliation, valuing the diversity this brings to the community. The motto, "Go shine in the world and live as Jesus lived," encapsulates the school's ethos of service, care and aspiration. Ofsted inspectors noted that "pupils flourish in this highly ambitious and caring school," describing it as a "stimulating and lively place to learn."

The leadership structure reflects a collaborative model. Emma O'Reilly serves as Head of School, while Moya Richardson holds the position of Executive Headteacher across a partnership of local Camden primary schools. This shared leadership approach allows the school to benefit from wider strategic support whilst retaining its distinct Catholic character and close-knit community feel.

Parents and visitors often remark on the warmth of the school environment. Ofsted highlighted that pupils are "excellent ambassadors for their school" and that their behaviour is "praiseworthy," creating an atmosphere where children feel valued and safe. The school's commitment to personal development runs alongside its academic focus; inspectors noted that leaders motivate pupils to achieve high academic standards whilst maintaining an ambitious commitment to wider personal development.

Our Lady's delivers a well-designed curriculum that Ofsted described as "exceptionally well-designed," enabling pupils to achieve extremely well across subjects. The most recent Key Stage 2 results demonstrate strong performance: 84% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, significantly above the national average of 62%. In reading, 88% met the expected standard and 22% achieved a high score; in maths, 83% reached the expected level and 22% achieved high scores. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results were particularly strong, with 88% reaching the expected standard and 39% achieving high scores.

Reading lies at the heart of the curriculum. Inspectors noted that learning to read is a central priority, and this commitment is evident in the outcomes. The school's average scaled score in reading is 106, comfortably above the national baseline of 100. The school ensures that pupils who fall behind receive targeted support to catch up quickly.

For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school's provision is highly effective. Ofsted reported that "leaders identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEND skilfully," and these pupils achieve well across the school. The school employs knowledgeable and vigilant staff who promote a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring that all children, regardless of their starting points, are supported to thrive.

The early years provision, which includes nursery for children from age 3, is also rated Outstanding. Children in the nursery and reception classes benefit from the same high-quality teaching and ambitious curriculum that characterises the rest of the school, giving them a strong foundation for later learning.

Extracurricular life at Our Lady's is rich and varied. Ofsted inspectors highlighted that "pupils' musical, sporting and artistic talents are nurtured, valued and celebrated." The school offers a breakfast club, after-school childcare and a range of curriculum enrichment clubs. Musical instrument lessons are available, allowing children to develop their talents beyond the classroom. This holistic approach to pupil development ensures that learning extends well beyond academic subjects.

The school is located on Pratt Street in Camden Town, a vibrant and diverse area of central London. With a capacity of 240 pupils and a current roll of approximately 219, the school maintains a manageable size that supports strong relationships between staff, pupils and families. The pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 17:1 allows for effective classroom management and individual attention.

Our Lady's is a voluntary-aided Catholic school, which means admissions are coordinated by the governing body in accordance with the school's own policy, though applications are submitted through Camden Council's coordinated admissions process. The school is oversubscribed: for the most recent admissions round, 52 families applied for 30 reception places, a subscription ratio of 1.73. Every family who named Our Lady's as their first preference and was offered a place received it, indicating that the admissions criteria are effective in prioritising those families most closely connected to the school.

As a Catholic school, faith criteria play a significant role in the admissions process. Families should consult the school's admissions policy, available on the website, for full details of how places are allocated. Typical Catholic school criteria include proximity to the school, baptism in the Catholic faith, regular attendance at Mass, and sibling links. The school also welcomes applications from families of other Christian denominations and other faiths, as well as those with no faith background, though places are allocated according to the published oversubscription criteria.

Because the school serves a densely populated area of inner London and is popular with Catholic families, proximity to the school address is likely to be an important factor when the admissions criteria reach that stage. Families should check with Camden Council or the school office for guidance on recent admissions patterns and the furthest distance offered in past years, as this information is not publicly available in consistent detail.

Applications for reception places are made in the autumn term of the year before the child is due to start school, with offers typically made in April. Prospective families are strongly encouraged to visit the school and attend open events to understand its ethos and approach. Tours can be arranged by contacting the school office on 020 7485 7997.

Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School stands out as a remarkable success story in Camden's primary education landscape. Its transformation from "Inadequate" to "Outstanding" over the past decade reflects sustained leadership, staff commitment and a clear sense of mission. For Catholic families, and indeed for any family drawn to the school's inclusive, faith-based ethos, Our Lady's offers an academically strong, pastorally rich environment in the heart of London.

The academic results speak for themselves: performance well above national averages across reading, writing and maths, combined with a curriculum that inspectors describe as exceptional. But the school's strengths extend beyond exam outcomes. Pupils are well-behaved, confident and supported, whether they have SEND or are among the highest achievers. The focus on personal development—through music, sports, the arts and the school's Catholic ethos—ensures that children leave as well-rounded individuals.

Parents should be aware that the school is oversubscribed and that faith and proximity criteria will determine who receives a place. Families who meet the admissions criteria and are drawn to a community where diversity is valued, where Catholic values shape daily life without exclusivity, and where academic ambition is matched by genuine care for every child, will find Our Lady's a strong choice. For those seeking a nurturing, high-performing primary school in Camden Town, this is a school to visit and consider seriously.

Is Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School a good school?

Yes. Our Lady's is rated Outstanding by Ofsted across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school's Key Stage 2 results are well above national averages, with 84% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared to 62% nationally. Inspectors described it as a highly ambitious and caring school where pupils flourish.

How do I apply to Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School?

Applications for reception places are submitted through Camden Council's coordinated admissions process, typically in the autumn term of the year before your child is due to start school. As a voluntary-aided Catholic school, Our Lady's sets its own admissions criteria, which include faith-based and proximity factors. Full details of the admissions policy are available on the school website at Prospective families should contact the school office on 020 7485 7997 to arrange a visit.

What are the admissions criteria for Our Lady's?

As a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Westminster, Our Lady's admissions policy prioritises Catholic children, but it also welcomes applications from families of other Christian denominations, other faiths, and those with no religious background. Typical criteria include baptism, regular Mass attendance, sibling links and distance from the school. The school is oversubscribed, with approximately 52 applications for 30 places in recent years, so families should review the full admissions policy carefully and seek advice if needed.

Does Our Lady's accept children from non-Catholic families?

Yes. The school explicitly welcomes children from all faith backgrounds and those with no faith background, valuing and respecting the diversity of its community. However, places are allocated according to the published oversubscription criteria, which prioritise Catholic families. Non-Catholic applicants may be offered places if spaces remain after higher-priority criteria are met, or they may be considered under specific categories set out in the admissions policy.

What is the catchment area for Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School?

The school does not operate a fixed geographic catchment area in the traditional sense. As a Catholic voluntary-aided school, faith criteria and other factors (such as sibling links) take precedence over distance. However, when proximity is used as a tiebreaker, the school's central Camden Town location means that only families living relatively nearby are likely to secure places. Families should contact the school or Camden Council admissions for historical distance data if available.

What are the school's strengths?

Our Lady's strengths include its Outstanding Ofsted rating, strong academic performance (especially in reading and grammar), highly effective SEND support, exceptional early years provision, and a rich extracurricular programme covering music, sports and the arts. The school's inclusive Catholic ethos, combined with ambitious leadership and excellent behaviour, creates a nurturing environment where all pupils can flourish.