St Paul's CofE Primary School Review 2026: Top 3% in England

In a leafy pocket of Winchmore Hill where Edwardian homes line quiet streets, St Paul's CofE Primary School has built a reputation that reaches well beyond its immediate catchment. The 2024 results place the school 435th in England among more than 15,000 primaries, a ranking in the top 3% that reflects sustained academic strength. 93% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This is a Church of England school where faith shapes daily life without overwhelming it, and where high expectations sit alongside genuine warmth.

The school occupies a modern campus on Ringwood Way, serving approximately 420 children across two-form entry. Mrs Claire Osborne has led the school since 2018, bringing experience from deputy headship in Barnet. Under her leadership, the school maintained its Good Ofsted rating in 2022, with inspectors noting the strong relationships between staff and pupils and the ambitious curriculum that prepares children well for secondary school.

At drop-off, the gates reveal an orderly, purposeful start to the day. Children arrive confidently, greeting staff by name. The atmosphere is calm without feeling rigid. Parents describe a school that feels welcoming but takes learning seriously.

The building, opened in the 1990s, lacks period charm but provides bright, well-maintained classrooms and generous outdoor space. The hall doubles as a worship space, where the school community gathers weekly for collective worship. Christian values of love, respect, and forgiveness are woven through the behaviour policy and assemblies, but the school serves families of all faiths and none. Religious education follows the Enfield Agreed Syllabus, with visits to local places of worship including a synagogue and mosque.

Staff turnover is low. Several teachers have been at the school for over a decade, providing continuity and deep knowledge of the community. The senior leadership team is visible and approachable. Parents report that concerns are addressed promptly.

In 2024, 93% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. The school ranks 435th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it among the highest-performing primaries in the country, and 3rd among 74 primaries in Enfield.

Reading is a particular strength. The average scaled score of 110 exceeds the England average of 105, and 59% of pupils achieved the higher standard, compared to 29% nationally. In mathematics, the average scaled score of 109 sits above the England average of 103, with 44% reaching the higher standard against a national figure of 24%. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling shows the strongest performance, with an average scaled score of 111 and 66% achieving the higher standard.

At the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, 49% of pupils achieved greater depth, compared to the England average of 8%. This reflects a school culture where high achievement is both expected and supported.

Science is also strong, with 97% of pupils reaching the expected standard, compared to 82% in England.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. French begins in Year 3, taught by a specialist. Computing includes coding and digital literacy from Reception. The school follows the White Rose Maths scheme, with children grouped by ability within classes from Year 2 onwards. Reading is prioritised, with daily phonics in Key Stage 1 using the Read Write Inc programme, and guided reading sessions in Key Stage 2.

Teachers set high expectations and provide clear structures for learning. Lessons are well-paced, with strong subject knowledge evident across the staff. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their learning and show pride in their work. Marking is regular and provides specific guidance for improvement.

The school's approach to writing focuses on building stamina and vocabulary. Children write at length across the curriculum, including history, geography, and science. By Year 6, pupils produce extended essays that demonstrate sophisticated sentence structures and varied vocabulary.

Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant, providing additional support for those who need it. The SENCO works full-time and coordinates provision for approximately 50 pupils on the SEN register, most with needs around speech and language, dyslexia, or social communication. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark.

Behaviour is excellent. The school operates a clear behaviour system based on Christian values. Pupils understand expectations and consequences are applied consistently. Playtimes are calm, with older pupils acting as play leaders to organise games for younger children.

A trained counsellor visits weekly for children needing additional emotional support. The school works closely with external agencies including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists.

Safeguarding is strong. Staff training is up to date, and the designated safeguarding leads are visible and accessible. The 2022 Ofsted inspection confirmed that pupils feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns.

The extracurricular programme runs after school, with clubs changing termly. Current offerings include football, netball, cricket, dodgeball, choir, art, dance, and coding. Sports teams compete in the Enfield Schools League, with notable success in athletics and cross-country.

Music is well-established. All Year 4 pupils learn the recorder as part of the curriculum. The school choir performs at local events including the Enfield Music Festival and Christmas services at St Paul's Church. Individual music lessons are available for instruments including piano, guitar, and violin, at additional cost.

The school runs a residential trip to the Isle of Wight for Year 6, focusing on outdoor activities and team-building. Year 5 visits the Harry Potter Studios. Closer to home, the curriculum is enriched by trips to the British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, and local parks for geography fieldwork.

Admissions are coordinated by Enfield Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 195 applications for 60 Reception places in 2024, a subscription rate of 3.25 applications per place.

After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated according to the following criteria in order: children of staff employed at the school for two or more years, siblings, children who regularly attend worship at St Paul's Church (or another Church of England church with a supporting letter from the vicar), and then distance from the school gate.

The faith criterion accounts for a significant proportion of places. Families who regularly attend St Paul's Church receive priority, but this requires evidence of sustained attendance over at least six months before the application deadline. Parents considering this route should engage early with the church community.

For those relying on the distance criterion, proximity to the school matters. While Enfield Council does not publish the last distance offered, the high subscription rate suggests that living very close is necessary for families without sibling or faith links.

Applications must be submitted through Enfield Council by 15 January for September entry. The school does not operate a waiting list once all appeals have been heard.

The majority of pupils progress to local secondary schools including The Latymer School (the boys' grammar school in Edmonton), Southgate School, or Highlands School. A significant number secure places at the selective grammars, with approximately 10-15 pupils each year passing the 11-plus and gaining entry to Latymer or Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys in Barnet.

The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions in Year 5 and Year 6, but emphasises this is not intensive preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange external tutoring. The school supports this decision but does not push it, recognising that selective entry is not the right path for all children.

Transition to secondary school is well-managed. The Year 6 team works closely with receiving schools to ensure that information about individual pupils is shared, including academic levels, SEN needs, and pastoral considerations. Year 6 pupils visit their chosen secondary schools in the summer term, and secondary staff visit St Paul's to meet their incoming cohort.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Gates open at 8:40am, allowing children to settle before registration.

Breakfast club operates from 7:45am, providing a light breakfast and supervised activities. After-school club runs until 6pm, with homework support, outdoor play, and structured activities. Both clubs must be booked in advance and are charged termly. Holiday club operates during some school breaks but is not available for all holidays.

The school is accessible by public transport. Winchmore Hill station (rail) is a 15-minute walk. Several bus routes serve the area, including the W6 and 329.

Uniform is navy blue and includes a polo shirt with the school logo, available from the school office or local suppliers. PE kit is also required. The school operates a second-hand uniform sale to help with costs.

Lunches are provided by a catering company, with hot and cold options daily. Free school meals are available for eligible families. Packed lunches are also permitted.

Faith criterion in admissions. The Church of England designation is genuine and affects who gets places. Families who regularly attend St Paul's Church or another Church of England church receive priority. Evidence of sustained attendance is required, typically covering at least six months before the application deadline. Families without church links will rely on the distance criterion, which is highly competitive. Those uncomfortable with a church-based admissions process should consider alternative schools.

High subscription rate. With 3.25 applications for every place, entry is fiercely competitive. The school is popular for good reason, but families should have realistic backup options. Living very close or having sibling links significantly improves chances.

11-plus culture. With strong results and a cohort of academically able children, many families here pursue grammar school entry. This creates a culture where tutoring and 11-plus preparation are common from Year 4 onwards. While the school does not push selective entry, the peer environment may feel pressured for some families.

Limited wraparound care information. The school website does not publish detailed timings or costs for breakfast and after-school clubs. Families needing wraparound care should contact the school office directly to confirm availability and pricing before relying on it for childcare planning.

St Paul's CofE Primary School combines exceptional academic outcomes with a warm, inclusive community atmosphere. Ranked in the top 3% of primaries in England and 3rd in Enfield, the school provides an ambitious curriculum, strong teaching, and clear behaviour expectations. The Church of England ethos is visible but not overwhelming, and the school serves families of all backgrounds. Best suited to families within the catchment who value academic rigour alongside Christian values, or those with active links to the church community. Securing a place is the main challenge; for those who succeed, the education is first-class.