Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Hackney Review 2026: A Faith-Based Community Hub in Dalston

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Dalston serves 330 pupils aged 3 to 11 with a mission to value, nurture, and empower every child through a diverse and culture-rich curriculum. This one-form entry Church of England primary operates within the Primary Advantage Federation, a collaborative partnership of eight Hackney schools working together to improve educational outcomes across the borough. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2025 judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management as Good, with Outstanding grades awarded for personal development and early years provision. Admissions are highly competitive, with the school receiving twice as many applications as available places. Results at Key Stage 2 show 73% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, above the national average of 62%, though the school ranks below the typical level nationally when compared to all primary schools in England.

As a Church of England primary, Holy Trinity weaves Christian values into daily school life while welcoming families from all backgrounds. The school is closely linked with its parish church, with the vicar serving on the governing body and leading weekly assemblies. The ethos centres on developing the whole child, not just academic achievement, with a clear commitment to nurturing confident, curious learners who feel valued within the school community.

Holy Trinity became part of the Primary Advantage Federation in its early formation. The federation began in 2006 when St John and St James joined forces with Holy Trinity to support school improvement, and it has since grown to include eight schools working in close collaboration across Hackney. This partnership enables the school to share best practice, resources, and expertise, while maintaining its own distinct Church of England character and identity.

Leadership is shared between headteacher Rebecca Mackenzie and executive principal Sian Davies, who oversee the school's direction within the federation structure. A Local Advisory Board meets regularly to support strategic decisions and monitor pupil outcomes, ensuring the school continues to provide high-quality education while remaining accountable to the community it serves.

At Key Stage 2, Holy Trinity's most recent results demonstrate solid performance in the fundamentals. 73% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well ahead of the 62% national average. In individual subjects, 73% met expectations in reading, 77% in mathematics, and 87% in science. Pupils scored an average of 104 in reading, 103 in mathematics, and 103 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, each slightly above the national benchmark of 100.

Where the school shows particular strength is in greater depth attainment. 21% of pupils achieved the higher standard across reading, writing and mathematics, more than double the 8% national average. Individual high attainment rates include 20% in reading, 17% in mathematics, and 27% writing at greater depth, all comfortably above typical levels. These figures suggest the school successfully stretches more able learners while ensuring the majority reach expected standards.

The school ranks 10,573rd nationally out of approximately 15,000 ranked primary schools and 46th out of the 54 ranked primaries in Hackney. While this places it below the typical level when compared to all schools across England, context matters. Hackney has one of the most competitive primary landscapes in the country, and the school's results remain above national averages in most key measures.

Ofsted's April 2025 inspection graded the quality of education as Good, with inspectors highlighting Outstanding practice in personal development and early years provision. The Outstanding grade for early years reflects strong foundations in the nursery and reception years, setting children up for success as they progress through the school. The Outstanding rating for personal development speaks to the school's effectiveness in building character, confidence, and social skills alongside academic learning.

The school operates as a one-form entry primary, meaning each year group has one class. This relatively small size enables staff to know every child well and tailor support to individual needs. Extended provision includes breakfast club and after-school enrichment activities, giving working families flexibility while providing pupils with opportunities to explore interests beyond the standard curriculum.

The school is located on Beechwood Road in Dalston, within a densely populated area of east London where outdoor space comes at a premium. Despite the urban setting, Holy Trinity offers on-site nursery and preschool provision, allowing families to keep younger children on the same site as older siblings.

Extracurricular life includes trips and visits that bring learning to life. Recent activities have involved Year 6 pupils visiting the Imperial War Museum and younger year groups engaging in phonics workshops, family events, and handwriting excellence programmes. The school also maintains a YouTube channel offering home learning support, a resource that proved valuable during disruptions and continues to extend learning beyond the classroom.

As part of the Primary Advantage Federation, Holy Trinity benefits from collaborative STEM initiatives. In 2020, the eight federation schools became an ENTHUSE Partnership, enabling them to develop a two-year action plan to improve achievement and engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This partnership approach gives pupils access to enriched science teaching and exposure to STEM career pathways that individual schools might struggle to provide alone.

The federation also holds National Teaching Schools accreditation, meaning it welcomes trainee teachers and colleagues from other schools. For pupils, this creates a learning environment where teaching practice is continually refined and where they see adults modelling lifelong learning and collaboration.

Holy Trinity is a voluntary aided Church of England school, which means the governing body manages admissions rather than the local authority. Families must complete both Hackney's common application form and the school's supplementary information form, which gathers details about church attendance and connection to the parish.

Competition for places is high. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 44 applications for 22 reception places, making it twice oversubscribed. All 22 offers went to first-preference applicants, meaning families who ranked Holy Trinity as their top choice filled all available spaces. This level of demand reflects both the school's reputation in the local community and the general pressure on primary places in Hackney.

The school does not publish a specific catchment distance, and voluntary aided schools often prioritise applicants with a connection to the church or parish. Families considering Holy Trinity should review the published admissions policy carefully, particularly the criteria used when the school is oversubscribed. Typical categories include looked-after children, siblings, children of staff, and families with demonstrated commitment to church life, with distance from the school used as a final tiebreaker within each category.

Parents are advised to contact the school directly to arrange a visit and discuss their individual circumstances. Admissions timelines follow Hackney's coordinated process, with applications for reception typically submitted in January for a September start. Offers are made in April, with waiting lists maintained if families decline places.

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School offers a nurturing, values-led education in the heart of Dalston. Its recent Ofsted inspection confirmed Good teaching and leadership, with Outstanding grades for personal development and early years provision highlighting the school's effectiveness in developing confident, well-rounded children from their earliest days in education.

Results at Key Stage 2 exceed national averages in most measures, particularly for pupils working at greater depth. The school ranks below the typical level nationally when compared to all primaries, but this reflects the intense competition within Hackney rather than underperformance against the country as a whole. Families seeking a smaller, community-focused Church of England primary with a track record of strong progress in the early years should consider Holy Trinity seriously.

The Primary Advantage Federation brings significant benefits, giving the school access to shared expertise, collaborative STEM programmes, and National Teaching Schools support without losing its individual character. Leadership under Rebecca Mackenzie and Sian Davies appears stable and strategic, with the governing body and Local Advisory Board providing clear oversight and accountability.

Admissions are competitive, with the school twice oversubscribed in recent years. Families should engage early, arrange a visit, and ensure they understand the admissions criteria, particularly if they do not have a strong connection to the parish church. For those who secure a place, Holy Trinity offers a warm, inclusive environment where children are genuinely valued and nurtured.

Is Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Hackney a good school?

Yes. Ofsted judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management as Good in April 2025, with Outstanding grades for personal development and early years provision. Results at Key Stage 2 are above national averages, particularly for pupils achieving greater depth, and the school benefits from membership of the Primary Advantage Federation, which brings additional resources and expertise.

How do I apply to Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Hackney?

Applications for reception places must be submitted through Hackney Council's coordinated admissions process, typically in January for a September start. Families must also complete the school's supplementary information form, which gathers details about church attendance and parish connection. Arrange a school visit early and review the published admissions policy to understand the oversubscription criteria. The school is voluntary aided, so the governing body manages admissions, and church attendance may be a factor in prioritising applications.

What are the admissions criteria for Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School?

As a voluntary aided Church of England school, Holy Trinity sets its own admissions criteria. These typically include looked-after children, siblings, children of staff, and families with demonstrated commitment to the parish church. Distance from the school is often used as a tiebreaker within categories. The school is twice oversubscribed, so reviewing the detailed admissions policy and completing the supplementary information form accurately is essential.

Does Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School have a nursery?

Yes. The school offers on-site nursery provision for three- and four-year-olds, along with a separate preschool that includes baby, two-year-old, and nursery rooms. Nursery and preschool admissions follow a separate process from reception admissions, so families should contact the school directly to discuss availability and application procedures.

What is the Primary Advantage Federation?

The Primary Advantage Federation is a hard federation of eight primary schools in Hackney working in close collaboration to improve educational outcomes. The federation began in 2006 and has since grown to include schools sharing governance, leadership, resources, and best practice. For Holy Trinity, federation membership means access to STEM partnerships, National Teaching Schools support, and collaborative professional development, while retaining its distinct Church of England identity.

What are the school's results like at Key Stage 2?

In the most recent results, 73% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. 21% achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, well above the 8% national average. Individual subject performance is strong, with 87% reaching expectations in science, 77% in mathematics, and 73% in reading. Scaled scores in reading, mathematics, and grammar are all above 100, the national average.

What is the school's Ofsted rating?

The school was inspected in April 2025 and judged Good for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. Personal development and early years provision were graded Outstanding. Ofsted no longer awards an overall effectiveness grade for state-funded schools, so individual category judgments provide the best indication of performance.

How competitive is it to get a place at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School?

Very competitive. The school received 44 applications for 22 reception places in the most recent cycle, making it twice oversubscribed. All offers went to first-preference applicants. As a voluntary aided faith school, church attendance and parish connection may influence admissions decisions, so families should review the policy carefully and engage with the school early in the process.