When Benedictine monks from Downside Abbey opened Ealing Priory School in Oct 1902 with three pupils and a £5 donation, they founded a school grounded in St Benedict’s Rule. More than a century later, the school has transformed while preserving its contemplative core. Today, St Benedict's educates over 1,100 pupils from age three to eighteen in a seamless continuum that reflects both its monastic heritage and a distinctly contemporary vision. The school's motto, A minimis incipemus (We begin from the smallest), encapsulates its philosophy: education that honours each individual from their earliest years.
Located in leafy Ealing, West London, the school comprises a Nursery, Pre-Prep, Junior School and Senior School with an established Sixth Form. In January 2024, the school underwent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate under a new evaluation framework. An extraordinary achievement emerged: the inspectors identified the school's careers guidance arrangements as an "area of significant strength" – a designation awarded to only 4% of schools in England under the new framework. The academic results speak clearly. At GCSE, 67% of grades achieved the highest levels (9–7), well above the England average of 54%. At A-level, 83% of grades landed at A*–B, placing performance among the strongest in the independent sector. Beyond statistics, the 2024 inspection praised the school's Benedictine ethos, describing how it "influences many aspects of school life and students' wellbeing" and enables pupils to develop "mature moral awareness" combined with "respect and consideration for each other."
The Benedictine mission permeates daily life here. Registration sessions include prayer, led sometimes by pupils themselves. Weekly Mass is offered in the school chapel and at Ealing Abbey for those who wish to attend. Year groups undertake retreats focused on reflection and spiritual development. Yet this is not a school that exists in historical suspension; it is thoroughly engaged with contemporary education and the world beyond its walls.
Headmaster Joe Smith, who took office in 2024, has introduced energising changes whilst maintaining the school's ethical foundation. His first acts included adding football as a main sport alongside the traditional rugby and cricket stronghold, demonstrating a willingness to challenge assumptions about what St Benedict's has "always" been. The school's governance was formally separated from Ealing Abbey in 2012 following the Carlile Review, creating an independent charity structure with lay leadership. Alongside modern safeguarding, the school is presented as strong on pastoral care; its deputy head was recently recognised by NAPCE (National Association for Pastoral Care within Education) as Pastoral Leader of the Year.
The physical environment reinforces the school's blend of tradition and innovation. The campus retains period character – Victorian red brick and purposeful architecture – whilst incorporating modern teaching spaces. Shared facilities between the junior and senior sections ease the transition at age 11, and the proximity to Ealing Abbey creates a tangible connection to the school's origins. Pupils describe a genuine sense of community, strengthened by the biennial cycle of pupils moving through a well-established house system in the Senior School. The Benedictine emphasis on balance (the Rule speaks of ora et labora, prayer and labour) translates into a school culture that values intellectual rigour equally with personal development. Teachers deliver inspirational instruction paired with exceptionally consistent pastoral oversight; each pupil is assigned a personal tutor who meets with them fortnightly to monitor both academic progress and emotional wellbeing.
In 2024, pupils achieved 67% of GCSE grades at the top levels (9–7), a figure well above the England average of 54%. Translated differently, pupils consistently secured the top grades across the full range of subjects examined. The school's performance ranks 227th overall (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 5% in England and second locally within Ealing. The Attainment 8 score and Progress 8 measures, whilst not published by the school, indicate that pupils make progress commensurate with or exceeding their prior attainment.
The GCSE curriculum combines a broad academic core with genuine depth. Pupils study sciences separately rather than as a combined course, enabling specialist teaching and laboratory work to develop conceptual understanding. English literature, mathematics, and languages anchor the timetable. Beyond the headline grades, the ISI inspectors specifically commended the school's deployment of "highly effective feedback" to pupils, noting the sustained use of peer assessment – an unusual and valuable practice that builds pupils' confidence and metacognitive skills. A recent introduction of extended project qualifications, examined at the end of Year 8 and again in Year 12, has proven successful in developing research and investigative skills.
Sixth form results continue this trajectory. In 2024, 83% of A-level grades achieved A*–B, placing performance well above the England average of 47%. The school ranks 185th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), within the top 7% and third locally in Ealing. With 26 A-level subjects on offer – including Latin, Classical Greek, Russian, and History of Art – the curriculum supports both traditional humanities and emerging interdisciplinary interests.
University destinations reflect this academic strength. In 2024, 84% of sixth form leavers progressed to university. Oxbridge represents a meaningful proportion of this pipeline; 15 pupils applied, with 3 securing places (all at Cambridge). Beyond Oxbridge, pupils gain admission to Russell Group universities including Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, and Birmingham. Medicine remains a popular destination, with 18 pupils securing medical school places in 2024 alone.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
83.45%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
66.56%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The school's approach prioritises intellectual curiosity alongside rigorous subject expertise. Teachers demonstrate clear subject mastery and are expected to teach with ambition, grounding lessons in genuine disciplinary practices rather than simplified content. The curriculum is structured to move progressively from broad exploration in the junior years to specialist depth in the sixth form. A Gifted and Talented programme stretches the most academically able, whilst the Teaching and Learning Support Centre provides specialised intervention for pupils needing additional help – including a dedicated SpLD (specific learning difficulty) department staffed by trained dyslexia specialists.
The use of technology is purposeful. Interactive whiteboards, lab software, and digital resources enhance teaching without displacing direct instruction. The library functions as a genuine hub for independent research. Curriculum enrichment trips are integral; pupils undertake study pilgrimages to Rome and journeys to Lourdes. These visits serve educational and spiritual purposes simultaneously, grounding the Benedictine ethos in lived experience.
Teaching quality, as noted in the 2024 inspection, rests on the foundation of "excellent pupil-teacher relationships and high teacher expectations." Inspectors found that pupils "almost without exception show respect and consideration for each other" in lessons and around the school. The one-to-one mentoring of younger pupils by older pupils – a natural outgrowth of the school's community structure – is explicitly developed and warmly noted by inspectors as a source of genuine support for vulnerable younger students.
The school's carefully structured careers programme has been formally recognised as an "area of significant strength." Beginning in Year 7, pupils receive tailored careers guidance. By Year 9, all pupils have engaged with enterprise and employability activities. The careers team cultivates links with over 100 external organisations, ranging from universities and professional firms to smaller employers and social enterprises. Work experience is embedded, not an afterthought. Sixth form pupils benefit from mentoring relationships with industry professionals and alumni.
The result is that leavers typically progress to well-regarded universities with clarity about their direction. Beyond the 84% university entry rate noted above, the remaining pupils advance to apprenticeships (2%) or employment (3%), with a tiny fraction pursuing further education. The Quality of University Destinations data shows strong patterns toward selective universities, with particular strength in medicine, sciences, and humanities.
Total Offers
3
Offer Success Rate: 20%
Cambridge
3
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
The co-curricular programme is the heart of St Benedict's identity. Over 100 clubs and societies flourish, embedded firmly into school life rather than treated as peripheral. Sport is compulsory up to Year 9, after which pupils choose from an extensive menu. The school boasts a distinguished sporting tradition.
Rugby remains the flagship sport for boys, with national tournament success a regular occurrence. The 1st XV finished 3rd in the 2021 SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy – a national competition involving over 100 teams – whilst competing without defeat. The under-13 side won the 2012 Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, the world's largest rugby tournament. Large numbers of St Benedict's pupils participate in RFU Elite Player Development Pathways with Harlequins and Saracens Academies, and the school holds partnership status with Ealing Trailfinders Elite Pathway. Multiple schoolboy and adult international rugby players have emerged from the school.
Football, newly elevated to a main sport under Headmaster Smith's leadership, is rapidly building competitive momentum. In 2025, the 12A won the Shropshire JCA Football Cup in their first year of entry, and pupils are securing places within English Football League club development pathways.
Girls' hockey is fast-gaining recognition. The 1st XI finished 5th in 2024, whilst multiple pupils feature in England Hockey elite player development pathways and county representative teams. London County and regional tournament successes have become routine.
Netball reached a notable milestone in March 2025 when St Benedict's won the Under-15 Sisters In Sport National Bowl at Loughborough University, with consistent local and regional success across all age grades.
Athletics attracts strong participation. Pupils regularly compete in weekday and Saturday meets throughout the Trinity term, with many selected for borough representative teams and the Middlesex County Track and Field Championships. One pupil was selected for the England U17 Athletics Team.
The school is in England and internationally recognised for fencing. This is a genuine area of excellence: multiple senior GB athletes trained here, including Paralympic gold medalists and world medalists. Recent achievements include wins at the Public School Fencing Championships, British School Team Championships, and British Youth Championships. Fencing operates as both a competitive pathway for elite pupils and an accessible introduction for all; it is offered as a main sport for both boys and girls.
Cricket tours are a highlight, with excursions to Sri Lanka for Under-12 and Under-13 teams (scheduled for 2022, 2024, 2026, and a senior tour to Dubai planned for 2027).
Cross-country sees consistent success, with St Benedict's regularly winning individual year-group and overall categories in the Ealing Schools' Cross-Country. Many pupils progress to represent Ealing Borough and Middlesex County in the English Schools' Athletics Cup.
Other sports include tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, dance, and swimming – an athletic menu that ensures genuine accessibility.
Music thrives throughout the school. Ealing Abbey’s choristers are drawn from junior-school pupils and receive scholarships, maintaining continuity between the monastic and school communities. The wider music programme encompasses specialist teaching, choirs, ensembles, and performances of an exceptionally high standard. A dedicated Director of Music leads a thriving department, with individual instrumental tuition available (peris employed by the school charge £33.60 per half-hour lesson in the Junior School, £44.40 per lesson in the Senior School).
Drama is equally prominent. The school hosts excellent concerts, plays, art exhibitions, and dance shows throughout the year. Performances take place in multiple venues on the school site, with productions involving actors from across the age range. Art exhibitions showcase pupil work, with standards consistently described as "extremely high."
Beyond the major programmes, the senior school offers a Debating Society, Combined Cadet Force, and Duke of Edinburgh Award. The CCF provides military training from Year 9 onwards, encompassing shooting, adventure training, and tactical exercises, with weekend field exercises and week-long summer camps. Duke of Edinburgh participants can progress from Bronze through Gold, with the Gold Award presented at Buckingham Palace by Prince Edward.
Curriculum-linked clubs round out the offer. A Mathematics Club invites pupils of all abilities to engage in games, codebreaking, investigations, and problem-solving – building not just numeracy but confidence and teamwork. A recently launched Puzzle Club develops similar skills. Young Writers competitions have resulted in publication of work by junior pupils, celebrating their creativity and commitment.
The school has also developed a structure to integrate curricular and co-curricular activities strategically, such that pupils' independence and sense of wellbeing are strengthened not by adding endless extras but by deepening their engagement with chosen pursuits.
Fees for 2025–26 are charged per term:
All fees include VAT and cover text books, library resources, scientific materials, and games. External examination costs and lunches are charged separately; lunches are optional at £328 per term (Junior) or can be brought from home.
Additional costs include:
A 10% sibling discount applies to the second and subsequent children in a family.
Bursaries and Scholarships: The school is committed to access. The St Anselm Award scheme offers means-tested bursaries worth up to 100% of fees to able and deserving young people whose families lack financial resources. Up to five awards are available annually at Year 7 entry, with additional support available for uniform, music tuition, and some trips. Merit-based scholarships are available in academic, music, art, drama, and sport at 11+ and 16+ entry. Parents are encouraged to contact the admissions office to discuss financial assistance; the school partners with the London Fee Assistance Consortium to broaden access.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
The school is selective at all entry points. Registration for the Nursery opens on an ongoing basis, with flexible provision offered (8am–1pm, 8am–3:30pm, or 8am–6pm term time). Pre-Prep entry (age 4) involves assessment of readiness for structured learning. Junior School entry at age 7 is also assessed. The main intake point is Year 7 (age 11), where entry is determined by entrance examination and interview. Sixth form entry (age 16) requires a minimum GCSE pass grade (typically Grade 5) in relevant subjects, with individual subject requirements varying.
The school welcomes international applications and provides comprehensive support, including dedicated English language practice and mentoring for overseas pupils. A coach network extends from the immediate locality to central and west London, facilitating access for families within a wider catchment.
Pastoral structures are exceptionally robust. Every pupil is assigned a personal tutor, who meets with them fortnightly. Tutors monitor not only academic progress but also happiness and wellbeing, offering encouragement and support so that each individual can thrive. The house system in the Senior School creates smaller vertical communities, fostering mentoring relationships and a genuine sense of belonging.
The ISI inspection confirmed that safeguarding is "well planned and effective," with immediate and appropriate action taken when necessary. Leaders maintain effective relationships with external safeguarding partners and other agencies. The school's culture is proactive; governors and senior leaders prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils in their decision-making. Pupils feel safe at school. The inspection noted that the school is "fully compliant with the relevant law and regulations in every area inspected."
Specific support is available for pupils with identified needs. A Teaching and Learning Support Centre provides additional intervention, including specialist teaching for pupils with SpLD (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, sensory impairment, ADHD, and mild Asperger's syndrome). Support is delivered both in-class (with differentiated input from a specialist teacher) and on a withdrawal basis (1:1 or small group instruction following a tailored programme).
Health and fitness are supported by an onsite injury and rehabilitation clinic, operated twice per week during Michaelmas and Lent terms by the school's medical provider, Meliora Medical, offering physiotherapy, concussion assessment, and strength and conditioning coaching.
Personal, social, health, and economic education (PSHE) is delivered through a structured programme emphasising responsibility in community. Pupils develop "high levels of tolerance and respect to those of different age, race, faith and gender, and to those who have disabilities" (ISI 2024).
School Hours: 8:30am–4:15pm (day pupils), with nursery care available from 8:00am–6:00pm depending on the option selected.
Breakfast and After-School Care: Breakfast Club operates from 7:30am (£5 per session). Junior School After-School Club is available until 6:00pm (£11 per session if collected by 4:30pm, plus £17 per session if collected between 4:30pm and 6:00pm). Extended care is available in the Nursery until 6:00pm for a small additional fee.
Transport: A minibus service connects the school to various points in west and central London (£497 per term). Pupils may travel independently by public transport (good links to District and Piccadilly lines from Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common stations) or be driven by parents.
Campus Layout: The Nursery and Pre-Prep are located on the main Eaton Rise campus in Ealing. The Junior School occupies Orchard Dene, also in Ealing, within easy reach of the Senior School. The Senior School and Sixth Form are based at the main Eaton Rise site. Sports facilities, including 14 acres of playing fields, cricket pitches, and a floodlit astroturf, are located in Perivale, accessible by school transport.
Selective admissions process: The school is highly competitive at all entry points, particularly Year 7. Entrance examinations and interviews form the basis of selection. Whilst the school is academically ambitious, prospective pupils should be prepared for both the intellectual demands and the application process itself.
Spiritual and religious context: The school's Catholic Benedictine ethos is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer forms part of registration; Mass is offered weekly; religious education is taught with theological depth; retreats are mandatory. Whilst the school welcomes pupils of all faiths, families uncomfortable with this religious foundation should consider alternatives.
Pace and ambition: St Benedict's operates at a brisk academic pace. The curriculum moves rapidly from primary through to GCSEs. Pupils are expected to engage with intellectual challenge, to respond to teacher feedback, and to develop independent research skills. Those seeking a less demanding environment may feel pressure here.
Cost and financial constraint: Fees are substantial. Even with scholarships and bursaries, independent education represents a significant family investment. Families should carefully review the total cost of ownership, including lunch, music tuition, trips, and uniform.
Transition at age 11: Whilst the junior and senior sites are geographically close and share facilities, the move from Orchard Dene to the main Eaton Rise campus at age 11 is a real transition. The school has thoughtfully planned induction and mentoring to ease this, but prospective Year 7 families should be aware that their child will be moving to a new building within a larger, more formal structure.
St Benedict's is a school that has successfully honoured its historic monastic roots whilst embracing contemporary educational standards. The 2024 ISI inspection recognised strength across the board: careers guidance at an exceptional level, Benedictine ethos authentically woven through school life, pupils developing mature moral awareness, and safeguarding as a genuine priority. Academic results place the school in the top tier in England. The extracurricular offer is genuinely extensive and accessible, not a list of token activities. Pastoral care is rigorous and caring. Teachers inspire; pupils respond.
This is a school suited to families seeking a Catholic independent education with intellectual rigour, genuine spiritual formation, and breadth of opportunity. It works particularly well for pupils who thrive in structured environments with clear expectations and personalised oversight. It is also well-suited to families valuing a coherent educational journey from age three through to eighteen, enabling deep friendships and familiar institutional knowledge to develop.
The main constraint is financial: fees are not trivial, and even with assistance schemes in place, affordability remains a barrier for many families. Additionally, those uncomfortable with a school's explicit Catholic character should look elsewhere; St Benedict's does not shy away from its religious mission.
For families who fit the above profile, St Benedict's delivers exceptional value: strong academics, outstanding personal development, and a community genuinely grounded in values of integrity, kindness and genuine generosity. It is a school that educates the whole person, and it does so with real distinction.
Yes. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (January 2024) identified the school's careers guidance as an "area of significant strength" – a distinction awarded to only 4% of schools in England under the new framework. Academic results place St Benedict's in the top 5% of schools in England for GCSEs (67% grades 9–7) and top 7% for A-levels (83% grades A*–B). The inspection confirmed safeguarding and pastoral care as strengths, noting that pupils develop "mature moral awareness" and "almost without exception show respect and consideration for each other."
Fees for 2025–26 are: Nursery £4,175–£6,278 per term (depending on hours); Pre-Prep £6,781 per term; Junior School £7,536 per term; Senior School £8,923 per term. Lunches (optional at £328/term for Junior School), music tuition, and extracurricular activities such as the minibus service incur additional charges. A 10% sibling discount applies. St Anselm Awards (bursaries) offering up to 100% fee remission are available for able students from families unable to afford full fees. Merit scholarships in academics, music, drama, art, and sport are also offered.
Entry is selective at all points. Nursery and Pre-Prep admission involves assessment of readiness for structured learning. Year 7 (age 11) is the major entry point and is highly competitive; entry is determined by entrance examinations in English, mathematics, and reasoning, plus interviews. Sixth form entry requires a minimum Grade 5 in GCSE (or equivalent) with additional subject-specific requirements. Overseas applicants are welcome and receive dedicated support.
The school excels across the board but is particularly noted for English, mathematics, sciences, languages, and the humanities. Classical languages (Latin and Greek) enjoy particular depth. The careers guidance programme is recognised as exceptional. Extended project qualifications, introduced recently, have proven effective in developing research and investigative skills.
The school offers over 100 clubs and societies. Main sports include rugby (with national tournament success), cricket, football, athletics, fencing (with international competitors), hockey, netball, cross-country, and tennis. Music thrives, with choristers drawn from the Junior School and linked to Ealing Abbey. Drama and art are equally prominent. The Combined Cadet Force (from Year 9) and Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze through Gold) provide leadership and personal development opportunities.
Yes. Music is woven into school life. The school offers individual instrumental tuition (£33.60 per half-hour lesson in Junior School, £44.40 per 40-minute lesson in Senior School), ensemble participation, and regular concerts. Performances are of an exceptionally high standard and take place throughout the year in multiple school venues.
In 2024, 84% of sixth form leavers progressed to university. Oxbridge destinations are notable: 15 pupils applied, with 3 securing places (all at Cambridge). Beyond Oxbridge, leavers gain admission to Russell Group universities including Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, and Birmingham. Medicine is a popular destination, with 18 pupils securing medical school places in 2024. The school's careers guidance is formally recognised as exceptional, ensuring pupils leave with clarity about their direction.
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