North Ealing Primary School Review 2026: Top 5% Performance in an Established Community School

When Charles Jones designed North Ealing Primary School in 1911, Ealing was expanding rapidly, and the Victorian architect and borough surveyor created a purpose-built state school to serve the growing community. More than a century later, the school remains a fixture of the Pitshanger Village landscape, with approximately 650 pupils across three forms of entry spanning ages 3 to 11.

The school's 2024 results place it in the top 5% of primaries in England by attainment. 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% across England. These consistent, strong results reflect the school's high expectations and structured teaching approach. The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with particular praise for pupils' enthusiasm for learning and the clarity of curriculum design.

Pupils describe North Ealing as "a calm, friendly and enjoyable place to be", a sentiment shared widely among families in the area. The school's three-form entry structure means it is large enough to offer breadth and choice, yet small enough that staff know children individually. Two co-headteachers, Mrs Sally Flowers and Mrs Marcia Bruley, lead the school with visible commitment to inclusive education and high expectations.

The school's learning values spell out NEPS when combined: Nurturing, Enthusiastic, Purposeful, and Smart. Pupils point with pride to this deliberate design, and the values shape behaviour expectations and reward systems throughout the day. The school emphasises mutual respect and cultural understanding, with regular celebrations of religious differences and diverse festivals woven into assemblies and lessons. A restorative approach to conflict resolution sits alongside clear classroom and whole-school rules.

Recent investment in Year 3 facilities saw the opening of the Centennial building, offering views over Pitshanger Park. This separation of lower and upper key stage 2 provides distinct learning environments as pupils progress. The school has a robust approach to safeguarding, with secure building procedures, vetted visitors, and trained staff visible throughout the day.

KS2 Performance

North Ealing Primary School was founded in 1911 , and its academic results over recent years place it firmly among England's strongest primary schools. In 2024, 88% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%.

Reading outcomes were particularly strong, with 93% reaching the expected standard and a scaled score of 110 (England average 100) . Mathematics scaled scores of 108 and GPS (grammar, punctuation, spelling) scores of 110 both exceed England averages, indicating consistent attainment across the three core areas.

At the higher standard, 46% of pupils achieved greater depth, compared to the England average of 8% . This concentration of higher achievers reflects the school's commitment to challenge and progression. The school ranks 827th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% nationally and 9th among Ealing primaries.

Teaching follows a clear, sequential structure grounded in the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. The school places pupils at the centre of their learning, with specialist teachers delivering a number of subjects throughout the school, particularly from Year 3 onwards. This expertise in subject knowledge combines with consistent whole-school approaches to literacy and numeracy.

Read Write Inc phonics underpins early reading instruction from Reception, with pupils taught synthetic phonics as the primary method. The school recognises that repeated reading of familiar texts builds confidence, and pupils who need additional support receive specific interventions alongside regular home reading opportunities. Handwriting is taught daily from Reception, following the Nelson programme, with letter formation explicitly linked to phonics teaching in Key Stage 1.

Mathematics teaching uses myMaths as a digital resource, supporting practice and progression. Oracy — the development of clear, confident speaking and listening — is prioritised across the curriculum, with the school recognising that language development underpins learning in all subjects. Practical, hands-on activities feature prominently, and working walls help pupils consolidate knowledge and develop independence.

The curriculum is inclusive and carefully sequenced to provide all pupils, whatever their starting point, with a rigorous foundation for future progress. Teaching focuses on enquiry and questioning, with explicit links made to prior learning. Creative teaching combines with the high expectations embedded in the NEPS learning values.

Music holds a particular place in school life. The school's motto, "Music is not a competition," reflects an inclusive approach to musical learning and enjoyment. Pupils take full advantage of opportunities to explore all types of music, whether through lessons, ensembles, or performance. Specific named music clubs and ensembles include the school orchestra, which Year 3 pupils can access, and regular opportunities for choir participation. One-to-one and small group music lessons are available, with specialist teaching in instrumental tuition.

Sports feature prominently throughout the week, with PE taught daily and additional clubs offering specialised coaching. The school's three playgrounds and outdoor spaces support structured physical education, and pupils engage in a wide range of activities from traditional team sports to dance and gymnastics. Friday afternoon fixtures represent a highlight of the sporting calendar for many families, and inter-house competitions encourage participation across the school.

Drama and performance are celebrated, with whole-school productions and smaller classroom performances giving pupils opportunity to develop confidence and creative expression. Year-group productions, assemblies with pupil speakers, and class performances in hall provide regular platforms for pupils to take centre stage. The school's three-form entry allows for ensemble work where multiple classes combine for larger productions.

Beyond the classroom, the school runs an Eco Team focused on environmental responsibility and sustainability. Pupils monitor electricity use, interview site managers about carbon footprint reduction, and engage in practical environmental action. OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning) is embedded, with unstructured outdoor time valued as an essential part of the school day, particularly in Reception and Key Stage 1 phases.

After-school care is provided by The Children's House, a dedicated wrap-around childcare setting housed at the school. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am (£9 per session) and afternoon care until 5:45pm (£14 per session), with discounts for full-time users and siblings. This integrated arrangement means working families can maintain consistent routines.

The school council operates through a democratic election process, with pupils' voices genuinely heard through meetings and questionnaires. Older pupils take responsibility as prefects and house captains, contributing to the smooth operation of the school and modelling leadership for younger pupils. Rights Respecting Schools status underpins these structures, with children learning that rights carry responsibility.

Pupils from North Ealing typically progress to a range of secondary schools reflecting the mixed selective and comprehensive provision across Ealing and West London. The school's strong academic results mean many families pursue grammar school entry, particularly to Notting Hill and Ealing High School, which is just 0.3 miles away, and other selective schools such as St Benedict's School (0.8 miles). This creates a culture where 11-plus preparation is common, though the school itself provides familiarisation rather than intensive coaching.

For families seeking non-selective secondary provision, Drayton Manor High School (1.3 miles) serves many North Ealing pupils, along with The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School and Twyford Church of England High School. The catchment area is wide, allowing families choice based on admissions criteria and distance.

The school provides structured transition, with Year 6 pupils visiting their secondary schools in the summer term and attending induction days. Teachers facilitate conversations about managing the move to secondary, and the school recognises that transition can be a significant emotional moment despite pupils' academic readiness.

North Ealing is heavily oversubscribed, with demand consistently outstripping places. In 2024, 259 applications were received for 90 Reception places, a subscription rate of 2.88 to 1. The last distance offered was 2.17 miles, reflecting the broad area from which the school draws pupils when distance becomes the determining factor. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates.

Admissions are coordinated through Ealing Council. After looked-after children, those with Education Health and Care Plans naming the school, and exceptional medical or social need cases are considered, places are allocated by distance from the school gates, with verified home address as at allocation date being the determining factor.

The school also offers nursery places for children aged 3 and 4. Nursery admission follows a similar distance-based approach, though nursery place does not guarantee progression to Reception. Nursery operates with both traditional 15-hour (half-day) sessions and government-funded 30-hour (full day) places. Families should contact the school directly for current nursery fees. A voluntary contribution of £10 per half term is requested to support topical resources, craft materials, seeds for planting, and larger items for the nursery environment.

The school day runs 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast club begins at 7:45am, and after-school care finishes at 5:45pm, offering extended options for working families. Universal Free School Meals are provided in Reception through Year 6. Pupils wear a school uniform supplied by Juniper, and from Reception all pupils, including nursery-age children, are expected to wear full uniform including a grey jumper, white/grey shirt or blouse, grey trousers, skirt or shorts, and blue and gold tie.

The school is situated on Pitshanger Lane, in north Ealing close to Pitshanger Village. Nearby transport links include South Ealing Road and connections to bus routes across Ealing. Parking is available on-site and surrounding roads, and many families walk, particularly those living within the immediate Pitshanger catchment.

The school prioritises mental wellbeing alongside academic progress. Place2Be counselling is available for pupils needing additional emotional support, with trained counsellors visiting the school. A calm, ordered approach to behaviour management sits alongside restorative practices, ensuring that children understand consequences while being given opportunity to repair harm and relationships.

Inclusion is genuine. Pupils with special educational needs are valued members of the community, and the school works closely with families to maximise learning potential. SEND support is coordinated by dedicated staff, with interventions provided to help pupils access the curriculum. The school holds Inclusion Quality Mark status.

Oversubscription and distance criteria: With places allocated primarily by distance in recent years, families wishing to secure a place must live within the last distance offered. Changes to sibling priority and catchment patterns mean even living close is not guaranteed. Verify your exact postcode distance before planning school selection.

11-plus culture: The strong academic results and proximity to selective schools like Notting Hill and Ealing High mean many families here pursue grammar school entry. While the school does not offer intensive 11-plus coaching, the peer group expectation and wider culture mean children are aware of entrance tests. Families uncomfortable with this pressure should consider alternatives.

Parking and travel: The school is located on a busy main road. While this provides good transport links via bus routes, parking can be challenging at peak times. Walking or drop-off zones may be more practical for some families.

North Ealing Primary School delivers consistently strong academic results within a structured, values-based environment where pupils are known and expectations are high. The school combines traditional teaching methods — clear phonics, sequenced maths, daily PE — with genuine commitment to inclusion and well-being. For families within the tight distance criteria who value academic rigour, an established community school atmosphere, and cultural diversity, this is an excellent choice. Best suited to families living close to Pitshanger Lane, particularly those comfortable with a meritocratic, achievement-focused culture and the fact that grammar school entry to nearby selective schools is common among peers. The main barrier to entry is distance; securing a place remains highly competitive.