Latymer All Saints CofE Primary School Review 2026: Faith-led, high-attaining primary with a growing Early Years focus

Love, Aspiration, Service are not treated as slogans here; they are the organising principles for a Church of England primary serving a large, mixed community in Edmonton. The school is judged Good across the main inspection areas, with Early Years identified as the key development priority.

Academically, published Key Stage 2 outcomes are a clear strength. In 2024, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. High-attainment is also notable, with 23% reaching the higher standard across reading, writing and maths, compared with 8% nationally. This places the school above England average overall and comfortably within the top quarter of schools in England on FindMySchool’s primary ranking.

For families thinking ahead to Reception, admissions are competitive and structured, and the school is consulting on a reduction in Reception intake from September 2026. That, alongside an oversubscribed profile in published application data, makes timelines and criteria worth understanding early.

This is a Voluntary Aided Church of England school, and faith is visible in daily life rather than confined to occasional events. The school’s published statements emphasise learning and relationships shaped by Christian teaching, and the admissions policy asks families to respect the Christian ethos, even while welcoming applications from the full community.

Leadership is also clearly signposted. Sandra Johnson is listed as Headteacher on both the school website and the Department for Education’s Get Information About Schools record. Governance information describes her appointment from 01 September 2024, and notes the role as interim, which matters for parents trying to understand a school’s current chapter and direction of travel.

The wider culture described in the most recent inspection is purposeful and calm. Routines are embedded, pupils settle quickly, and classrooms are described as orderly. Bullying is reported as rare, and the school treats derogatory language seriously. Those details matter because they indicate a behaviour culture built on expectations and follow-through, not just policy documents.

Nursery provision, how it fits

Nursery is part of the offer (from age 3), and the school describes collective worship and prayer as part of the Nursery session structure, alongside early phonics and story work. For parents who want continuity of ethos from the earliest phase, this alignment is a practical plus. For families less comfortable with faith as a daily feature, this is something to check carefully, because it is integrated rather than optional.

This is a primary school, so the key public outcomes are Key Stage 2 measures (typically Year 6). In 2024, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. The England average is 62%, so the gap is meaningful. Reading, maths and GPS scaled scores are also strong, at 107 (reading), 106 (maths) and 109 (GPS).

Higher-attaining performance stands out. 23% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%. That typically indicates teaching that supports pupils not only to meet the benchmark, but to push beyond it, particularly for children who are already secure by Key Stage 2.

On the FindMySchool ranking (based on official outcomes data), the school is ranked 2,977th in England and 27th in Enfield for primary performance. In plain English, that places it above England average, within the top 25% of schools in England. Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool to benchmark nearby schools on the same measures.

Science is the one published indicator that looks comparatively less strong. The percentage meeting the expected standard in science is shown as 76%, against an England average of 82%. That does not mean science teaching is weak, but it does signal an area worth asking about, particularly how knowledge is sequenced and revisited across the wider curriculum.

The most recent inspection paints a picture of teaching that is structured and deliberate about building knowledge, particularly in maths. Teachers recap key concepts before introducing new material, which supports pupils to retain and connect learning over time. A concrete example is Year 5 maths revisiting multiplication as preparation for fractions. This kind of curriculum threading usually benefits pupils who need careful reinforcement, as well as those ready for stretch.

Reading is treated as a priority, with a phonics programme from Reception and adults trained to support pupils to catch up and keep up. Text choice is also framed as purposeful, broadening vocabulary and wider knowledge. For families, this matters because early reading security tends to influence confidence and performance across all subjects by Key Stage 2.

The main developmental message is about the wider curriculum and Early Years. The report indicates that some subject tasks do not align as closely as they should to the intended curriculum, leading to gaps in knowledge. In Early Years, the knowledge and progression steps are described as under-defined, which links directly to why Early Years is graded Requires Improvement. For parents with younger children, this is the area where it is most important to ask what has changed since the inspection, and how progress is tracked in Nursery and Reception.

As a primary school, the main transition is into Enfield secondary schools at Year 7. The school directs families to the local authority’s secondary transfer guidance, which is typical for Enfield primaries and suggests a process that is local-authority led rather than handled in-house through named feeder arrangements.

For most families, the practical question is not just “which schools”, but “how prepared will my child feel”. The combination of strong Key Stage 2 outcomes and an orderly learning culture is likely to support transition well. Where children may need additional reassurance is in the shift from a close primary structure to larger secondary environments, so it is sensible to ask what Year 6 transition activities look like each year and how support is tailored for pupils with additional needs.

Reception entry in Enfield is coordinated through the local authority’s online admissions process. For September 2026 entry, applications run from September 2025 with an on-time deadline of 15 January 2026, and offers released on 16 April 2026. These dates matter because late applications are typically processed after on-time allocations.

As a Voluntary Aided Church of England school, the admissions policy includes faith-related criteria alongside other priority categories. The published policy also references a Supplementary Information Form for applicants applying under specific church-related categories, which is common in VA faith schools. In plain terms, families considering a faith route should assume there is paperwork beyond the standard local authority application and check requirements early.

Competition is visible in the latest published demand figures for the school’s primary entry route, with 84 applications and 32 offers in the most recent dataset period, and an oversubscribed label. That ratio indicates that, for many families, admissions will be the limiting factor rather than the education on offer. If you are using distance as a tie-break expectation, it is sensible to use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check your likely proximity, and then verify the school’s current criteria wording before relying on assumptions.

A further nuance for 2026 entry is the school’s stated intention to reduce the Published Admission Number, with an annual Reception intake of 60 from September 2026. If implemented, that can materially change the competitive picture, so families should read the current determined arrangements and not rely on older assumptions about class size or intake.

The inspection evidence supports a school that takes wellbeing and personal development seriously in practical ways. Pupils learn about staying safe, including online, and develop an age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships. There is also a stated emphasis on attendance, with systems that prioritise pupils being in school regularly.

Support for pupils with special educational needs is described as being under active review, with systems to identify needs early and monitor progress. The direction of travel is towards adapting classroom practice so pupils can access the same curriculum as peers, which is usually what parents want to hear: inclusion through teaching design rather than separation.

Clubs matter most when they are specific and consistent enough to shape pupil experience. The most recent inspection references a range of clubs including art, ballet, coding and gymnastics. That combination suggests a balance between creative options, physical activity, and a modern STEM-facing offer for a primary age group.

For many children, enrichment is also about confidence and belonging. Creative clubs such as art and ballet can provide a clear route for quieter pupils to shine, while coding introduces structured problem-solving and teamwork early. Gymnastics is often an accessible entry point into sport for children who are not drawn to traditional team games.

The school also highlights community links and parent-facing activity through its wider communications, which can be a useful indicator of how regularly families are brought into school life. If your child thrives on routines and predictable commitment points, it is worth asking what the annual rhythm looks like: performances, class assemblies, church services, and how pupils participate across the year.

The compulsory school day is published as 08:45 to 15:15, with gates opening from 08:30 and lessons beginning at 08:50.

Breakfast club is offered from 07:30, with a published daily charge of £5 per child. After-school provision is run on site by Blue Bears, and families should check directly for current session times and booking arrangements, since these can change by term and provider capacity.

For travel, the school sits within Edmonton’s residential street network. For most families that means a mix of walking, local bus links, and short car journeys; if you plan to drive, check the latest local restrictions and plan for busy peak times around the gates.

• Early Years is the improvement priority. The latest inspection grades Early Years as Requires Improvement, with curriculum sequencing and assessment identified as underdeveloped. Families with Nursery or Reception-aged children should ask what has changed since the inspection, and how readiness for Year 1 is measured.

• Reception intake is changing for 2026 entry. The school states that Reception intake is planned to reduce to 60 from September 2026. If this proceeds, competition can increase and siblings or distance expectations may play out differently.

• Faith is integral, not cosmetic. This is a Church of England school with worship and Christian framing embedded from Nursery upwards. That will suit many families; others may prefer a more secular approach.

• Wraparound beyond breakfast depends on a third-party provider. After-school care is operated by an external provider, so arrangements can feel less straightforward than school-run provision. It is wise to confirm places early if wraparound is essential for work patterns.

Latymer All Saints CofE Primary School combines strong Key Stage 2 outcomes with a calm, structured culture and a clearly articulated Christian ethos. It looks particularly well suited to families who value faith as part of daily school life and who want above-average academic outcomes at the end of Year 6. The main decision points are admissions competitiveness, and whether the Early Years improvement plan aligns with what you want for Nursery and Reception in the next couple of years.