Jubilee Primary School, Hackney Review 2026: Forest School Ethos Meets Strong Academic Outcomes in Stoke Newington

Jubilee Primary School is a two-form entry community primary in Stoke Newington, Hackney, where the motto "Inspiring Imaginations" is reflected in an urban meadow, secret garden, and dedicated Forest School Base Camp used from nursery onwards. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022, with Outstanding grades for behaviour, attitudes, and personal development, the school combines a nature-based learning philosophy with strong academic performance: 87.7% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths in the most recent results, ranking the school 14th in Hackney and in the top 13% nationally. Serving children aged 3 to 11, the school welcomes 420 pupils across its main site and Children's Centre, with nursery provision complementing Reception through Year 6. Situated on Filey Avenue, the school draws from Stoke Newington and surrounding Hackney neighbourhoods, and is led by headteacher Mr Joshua Cardale.

Jubilee Primary School places children at the centre of its work, fostering happiness, creativity, and academic achievement through arts, sports, and exploration of the natural world. The school's distinctive identity is shaped by its commitment to nature-based learning, evident in the campus layout: an urban meadow and secret garden provide accessible outdoor classrooms, while the Forest School Base Camp hosts regular sessions for nursery and reception children, embedding environmental learning from the earliest years.

The school serves a diverse community in Stoke Newington. According to the most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2022, "Professional relationships between pupils and their peers, as well as with adults, are excellent," and "Pupils' attitudes towards learning are exemplary." Inspectors noted that children in the early years "enjoy finding out new things" and that the school ensures all pupils "gain deep and broad knowledge." The report highlighted that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive timely support from well-trained staff.

Mr Joshua Cardale took up the headship in August 2024, succeeding Norma Hewins. The school's governance includes experienced educators and public sector professionals committed to inclusion and sustainability. Spanish is taught across the school, and the curriculum emphasises the arts alongside core subjects.

Jubilee Primary School delivers above-average academic outcomes across the primary curriculum. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 87.7% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, well above the national average of 62%. The school also achieved a higher standard rate of 31.3%, significantly exceeding the England average of 8%.

Attainment in individual subjects was strong: 93% of pupils reached the expected standard in maths, 85% in reading, and 81% in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Scaled scores of 108 in reading, maths, and grammar place the school firmly above the national baseline of 100. High-score performance was notable, with 40% of pupils achieving high scores in reading, maths, and grammar combined.

The school is ranked 1,927th out of approximately 15,000 primary schools nationally, placing it in the top 13% in England. Within Hackney, Jubilee ranks 14th among local primary schools, a competitive position in a borough known for strong educational outcomes.

Ofsted praised the school's phonics teaching, noting that "Children in the early years get off to a flying start in learning to read" and that "Staff are well trained to teach phonics and do so with precision." Inspectors identified that in a few subjects, children do not deepen their knowledge as much as they could, an area for ongoing curriculum development.

The school employs approximately 23.69 full-time equivalent teachers and 16.65 teaching assistants, supporting a pupil roll of around 426. This translates to a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly 18:1, in line with sector norms for two-form entry primaries.

Jubilee's campus is distinguished by its outdoor learning environment. The Forest School Base Camp anchors regular nature-based sessions for the youngest pupils, while older children access the urban meadow, secret garden, and multiple wildlife areas for science, geography, and wellbeing activities. These spaces are woven into the taught curriculum and contribute to the school's Outstanding rating for personal development.

Extracurricular provision includes sports programmes, with recent examples including Year 4 cycling trials, as well as arts activities integrated throughout school life. The school's emphasis on creativity and imagination extends beyond the classroom, with opportunities for music, performance, and visual arts.

Ofsted inspectors observed that pupils' behaviour and attitudes are Outstanding, with children demonstrating respect, resilience, and enthusiasm for learning. The school's ethos of placing children at the heart of decision-making fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among pupils.

Jubilee Primary School is highly sought after. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 163 applications for 58 Reception places, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 2.81 to 1. First preference applicants outnumbered first preference offers by a factor of 1.26, indicating strong local demand.

The furthest distance offered was 0.338 miles (approximately 540 metres), reflecting intense competition and a tight catchment area centred on the immediate Stoke Newington neighbourhood. Families living beyond this radius are unlikely to secure a place through distance-based criteria alone.

Admissions to Jubilee are coordinated via the Pan-London eAdmissions system at www.eadmissions.org.uk. Applications for Reception entry open on 1 September each year and must be submitted by 15 January. Parents of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan should not apply through the online form; instead, they should contact Hackney's Special Educational Needs team on 020 8820 7326.

The school follows Hackney's community schools admissions arrangements, which typically prioritise looked-after children, siblings, and proximity to the school. Families are advised to review the published oversubscription criteria and previous years' admissions data, available on the school website and via Hackney Education, to assess their likelihood of securing a place.

For admissions enquiries, contact the Hackney Admissions Team at reception.class@learningtrust.co.uk or call 020 8820 7245.

Jubilee Primary School offers a compelling combination of strong academic performance, a distinctive nature-based learning ethos, and an Outstanding culture of behaviour and personal development. Families who value outdoor education, creativity, and a diverse, inclusive community will find much to appreciate. The school's results place it comfortably above national averages and among Hackney's higher-performing primaries, while Ofsted's praise for early reading, excellent relationships, and pupil attitudes reinforces its reputation as a Good school with standout strengths.

However, competition for places is intense, with fewer than one in three applicants securing an offer. The tight catchment of 0.34 miles means families must live very close to the school to have a realistic chance of admission. Parents considering Jubilee should apply through the coordinated admissions process by mid-January, rank the school appropriately among their preferences, and ensure they list realistic alternatives given the oversubscription levels.

For those who gain a place, Jubilee provides a nurturing, academically robust environment where children are encouraged to explore, imagine, and achieve.

Is Jubilee Primary School, Hackney a good school?

Yes, Jubilee Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (June 2022), with Outstanding grades for behaviour, attitudes, and personal development. The school achieves well above national averages in Key Stage 2 results, with 87.7% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, and ranks in the top 13% of primary schools in England.

How do I apply to Jubilee Primary School?

Applications for Reception entry are made via the Pan-London eAdmissions system at www.eadmissions.org.uk. Applications open on 1 September each year and must be submitted by 15 January. Admissions are coordinated by Hackney local authority. Parents of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan should contact Hackney's Special Educational Needs team on 020 8820 7326 instead of applying online.

What is the catchment area for Jubilee Primary School?

In the most recent admissions round, the furthest distance offered was 0.338 miles (approximately 540 metres), reflecting a very tight catchment centred on the immediate Stoke Newington area. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 163 applications for 58 places, so living very close to the school significantly improves the likelihood of securing a place.

Does Jubilee Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Jubilee Primary School has nursery provision as part of its Children's Centre, serving children from age 3. The nursery integrates with the school's Forest School programme, offering early years pupils access to the Forest School Base Camp and outdoor learning spaces.

What are the school's key strengths according to Ofsted?

Ofsted identified Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, Outstanding personal development, and Good quality of education. Inspectors praised the school's phonics teaching, excellent professional relationships, exemplary pupil attitudes, and timely support for pupils with special educational needs. The school's commitment to ensuring all pupils gain deep and broad knowledge was also highlighted.