Mandeville Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding LEAP Federation School with Hackney School of Food

Mandeville Primary School stands out as one of only three schools in the LEAP Federation to achieve an Outstanding rating across all Ofsted categories in February 2024. Housed in Clapton, Hackney, this two-form entry state primary serves 264 children aged 2 to 11 in a vibrant learning environment enriched by unique partnerships and facilities. The school is home to the Hackney School of Food, a purpose-built cookery school with a productive garden, wood-fired pizza oven, orchard, beehives, and chickens, offering every child a "seed to spoon" culinary education journey. Operating under the motto "Learning, Caring & Achieving Together," Mandeville combines a creative, arts-led curriculum with strong academic performance, ranking 10th in Hackney and in the top 12% of primary schools nationally. With a nursery for two-year-olds, Forest School provision, and wraparound care extending from 8am to 6pm, Mandeville offers both exceptional outcomes and practical support for working families in one of London's most diverse boroughs.

Mandeville's ethos centres on fostering a lifelong love of learning through a creative, dynamic curriculum that is engaging, challenging, and fun. The school's mission to equip children to thrive in the 21st century is delivered through the LEAP Empowerment Curriculum, a framework that integrates visual, performance, culinary, and physical arts across all subjects. This approach reflects the federation's founding philosophy: while high standards matter across the board, learning is most powerful when connected through creative, hands-on experiences.

The LEAP Federation itself has an interesting origin story. Between 2014 and 2016, Kingsmead Primary formed the partnership with Gayhurst and Mandeville, formalising into a single governing body in June 2017. In 2025, Grasmere Primary joined, making LEAP a four-school federation. The name reflects both the schools' geographical connection via the River Lea and their commitment to partnership on equal footing. Today, the federation is led by Executive Headteacher Louise Nichols, with Marc Thompson serving as Mandeville's Headteacher. Three of the four LEAP schools have now been graded Outstanding by Ofsted, a testament to the strength of shared leadership and resources.

At Mandeville, the atmosphere is characterised by warmth, creativity, and high expectations. The school serves a richly diverse community, with 87.6% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and 57.4% eligible for free school meals. This diversity is celebrated through the school's inclusive ethos and its emphasis on collaboration between parents, carers, staff, governors, children, and wider stakeholders. Parent involvement is actively encouraged through regular tours, workshops, and opportunities to share feedback, creating a strong sense of community ownership.

Mandeville delivers results that place it well above national averages. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. More impressive still, 36% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, more than four times the national figure of 8%. In reading, 62% of pupils achieved the high score, and in mathematics, 91% reached the expected standard. The school's total score across reading, grammar, and mathematics stands at 324, with average scaled scores of 110 in reading, 108 in maths, and 106 in grammar, punctuation, and spelling—all comfortably above the 100 baseline.

These outcomes reflect the quality of teaching and learning highlighted in the February 2024 Ofsted inspection, which graded the school Outstanding in every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The inspection followed a trajectory of improvement from previous Good ratings in 2010 and 2013, marking Mandeville's arrival among the highest-performing schools in the country.

The school's curriculum is broad and ambitious. Every child from Reception to Year 6 participates in regular cooking lessons at the Hackney School of Food, a partnership between the LEAP Federation and the charity Chefs in Schools. This disused caretaker's house was transformed into an award-winning bespoke kitchen and teaching space, complete with outdoor planters, a wood-burning pizza oven, fruit orchard, beehives, and chickens. Children grow, harvest, prepare, and cook their own ingredients, embedding practical life skills and nutritional awareness into the curriculum. The programme has attracted national attention, including a visit from Early Years Minister Stephen Morgan MP, and won architectural awards for its innovative design.

Beyond food education, Mandeville offers Forest School sessions that connect children with the natural environment, and a programme of educational visits around London. Specialist teaching is delivered in physical education by a dedicated PE coach, and the curriculum includes opportunities to represent the school in inter-school competitions in netball, football, dodgeball, and athletics. In the arts, children's work has achieved international recognition: a Mandeville art project was showcased to world leaders at the UN Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Montenegro.

Support for pupils with special educational needs is integrated into the school's inclusive ethos, and the staff-to-pupil ratio of approximately 14:1 allows for responsive, personalised teaching. Wraparound care is available through a breakfast club running from 8am to 8.50am, offering table tennis, art activities, and board games, and after-school provision until 6pm.

Student life at Mandeville is rich and varied. After-school clubs run from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and include gymnastics, football, choir, art, netball, and dodgeball. Clubs are block-booked for the whole term at a cost of £10 per term, making them accessible to all families. The gymnastics club is particularly popular, with Year 5 pupils working towards end-of-term performances. The Art Club encourages children to experiment with a variety of materials, creating 2D and 3D works through painting, collage, sewing, and sketching, often outdoors in the school's garden spaces.

Physical activity is embedded across the school day. The school council fundraised for a new climbing frame in the playground, reflecting the importance placed on pupil voice and active play. Competitive sports teams regularly participate in fixtures against other schools, developing technical, tactical, and teamwork skills in safe, motivating environments.

The school's facilities extend beyond the Hackney School of Food. The early years provision is Outstanding, with dedicated spaces for two- and three-year-olds in the nursery, and a seamless transition into Reception. The school's capacity is 420, and it currently operates at just over 60% occupancy, leaving room for growth while maintaining manageable class sizes.

Mandeville Primary School is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 117 applications for 40 Reception places, a subscription ratio of nearly 3:1. All first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, indicating that the school prioritises those who rank it as their top choice. The furthest distance offered was 2.578 miles, suggesting that proximity to the school plays a significant role in admissions outcomes, though this figure is relatively generous for an inner-city primary.

Admissions for Reception through Year 6 are managed by Hackney Education, following the local authority's community schools admissions policy. Parents apply online through the Hackney admissions portal, with applications typically opening in the autumn term for the following September entry. The school encourages prospective families to visit and tour the premises, and parents should contact the school office to arrange this. In-year admissions are also coordinated by Hackney Education, though the school welcomes direct enquiries.

Nursery admissions are managed separately on-site. The school offers places for children aged two to three and three to four years. All three-year-olds are entitled to a free part-time place from the term after their third birthday, and eligible two-year-olds may qualify for free provision depending on household circumstances. Working families with children aged two to four may also be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. Applications are submitted online or via paper form, available from the school office. Parents should contact Farheen at mdvoffice@mandeville.hackney.sch.uk or call 020 8986 5249. Applications should be submitted the term before the child turns two or three, depending on the placement sought. Nursery places are confirmed following a meet-the-teacher session and completion of admissions paperwork.

Given the school's oversubscription and strong reputation, families are advised to list Mandeville among their preferences early and to familiarise themselves with the Hackney admissions criteria, which typically prioritise children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, looked-after children, siblings, and distance from home. Full details are available in the Community Schools Admissions Arrangements documents published annually by Hackney Education.

Mandeville Primary School offers an exceptional primary education in a diverse, creative, and caring community. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating, strong academic results, and unique facilities place it among Hackney's best schools. The Hackney School of Food and Forest School programmes provide experiences few other state primaries can match, and the LEAP Federation structure ensures access to shared expertise and resources across four schools. For families seeking a values-driven, arts-rich curriculum delivered by experienced leaders and teachers who know how to get results, Mandatory is a standout choice. Competition for places is intense, but for those who live within the catchment and secure a place, the rewards are considerable.

Is Mandeville Primary School a good school?

Yes. Mandeville Primary School is an Outstanding school in all Ofsted categories as of February 2024. It ranks 10th in Hackney and in the top 12% nationally, with 88% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics at Key Stage 2, compared to 62% nationally. The school offers unique facilities including the Hackney School of Food and Forest School provision, and is part of the high-performing LEAP Federation.

How do I apply to Mandeville Primary School?

For Reception to Year 6, apply through Hackney Education's online admissions portal. Applications typically open in the autumn term for the following September. Visit education.hackney.gov.uk/section/admissions-and-transfers for details. For nursery places, apply directly to the school by contacting the office at mdvoffice@mandeville.hackney.sch.uk or 020 8986 5249. The school encourages prospective families to arrange a tour before applying.

What is the catchment area for Mandeville Primary School?

Mandeville Primary School does not operate a fixed catchment area. Admissions are managed by Hackney Education and prioritise children with EHC plans, looked-after children, siblings, and those living closest to the school. In the most recent round, the furthest distance offered was 2.578 miles. Check the Community Schools Admissions Arrangements documents on the Hackney Education website for the most current distance cut-offs and criteria.

What makes Mandeville Primary School unique?

Mandeville is home to the Hackney School of Food, an award-winning cookery school with a productive garden, orchard, beehives, chickens, and wood-fired pizza oven. Every child from Reception to Year 6 receives regular cooking lessons in a "seed to spoon" programme. The school also offers Forest School sessions, an arts-led curriculum, and is part of the LEAP Federation, which shares governance and resources across four Outstanding or high-performing schools.

Does Mandeville Primary School have a nursery?

Yes. Mandeville offers nursery provision for children aged two to four. All three-year-olds are entitled to a free part-time place from the term after their third birthday. Eligible two-year-olds and working families may qualify for additional funded hours. Apply directly to the school by contacting the office. Wraparound care is also available, including breakfast club from 8am and after-school care until 6pm.