Flora Gardens Primary School Review 2026: Green-Space Learning in Urban Hammersmith

Flora Gardens Primary School is a one-form-entry community primary in Hammersmith serving children aged 3 to 11. Following its relocation to Lena Gardens in 2024, the school has established a distinctive identity through its expansive green grounds and purpose-built facilities in an otherwise densely urban setting. Rated Good by Ofsted in 2022, with Outstanding grades for behaviour, attitudes, and personal development, Flora Gardens combines strong pastoral care with a broad curriculum enriched by specialist music provision, forest school, and Spanish from an early age. Recent results show 82% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, above the national average of 62%, though the school ranks below typical levels nationally overall. With nursery provision and a reception cohort of just 20 places, entry is highly competitive in this oversubscribed Hammersmith and Fulham school.

Flora Gardens operates as a community school under Hammersmith and Fulham local authority, with Mrs Katy Asserati serving as Acting Headteacher since December 2023. The school's mission centres on nurturing confident, curious learners in an inclusive environment where outdoor learning and creative expression hold equal weight alongside academic rigour. British Values underpin the curriculum, and the school promotes student agency through a structured house system dividing pupils into Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire houses from entry onwards, with House Captains for sport and music fostering leadership skills early.

The relocation to Lena Gardens in 2024 marked a transformative moment, delivering purpose-built spaces the school had previously lacked. The permanent move was subject to community consultation in late 2025, reflecting confidence in the new site. Partnerships with local institutions strengthen the school's reach: KS2 pupils swim weekly at St Paul's Girls' School, and academic and musical collaborations with nearby secondary schools ease transition. The school also participates actively in Hammersmith and Fulham School Sports Association events, embedding itself in the local education network.

A notable ethos element is the commitment to cultural breadth. Music and art instruction draw on traditions from around the world, and theatre groups, storytellers, and musicians from diverse backgrounds visit regularly. Spanish instruction begins in the early years, signalling a global outlook. Forest school sessions, delivered within the school's own grounds, add an environmental learning strand rare in central London primaries.

Flora Gardens follows the National Curriculum across English, maths, science, humanities, and creative subjects, with specialist teachers delivering drama and music. Weekly drama lessons for KS2 pupils take place in a dedicated drama space, and music provision is particularly strong: the Tri-borough Music Hub delivers hour-long weekly lessons, Year 5 and 6 pupils receive string instruction, and Years 4 and 5 partner with The Bach Choir. Rocksteady band sessions and individual instrument lessons further enrich the musical landscape, which Ofsted has noted as exceptionally vibrant.

In 2022 key stage 2 assessments, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, well above the national average of 62%. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling performance was strong, with 88% meeting expectations and 19% achieving high scores. Maths outcomes were solid, with 85% at the expected standard and 15% at high scores. However, reading lagged slightly: 81% met the standard but only 8% achieved high scores, below the national rate. Writing showed similar patterns, with just 8% reaching greater depth. The composite scaled score across reading, GPS, and maths stood at 312.

Nationally, Flora Gardens ranked 9,113th out of approximately 15,157 ranked primary schools, placing it below typical performance levels when benchmarked across England. Within Hammersmith and Fulham, it ranked 33rd out of local primaries. These rankings reflect the school's solid attainment against national averages but suggest room for growth in higher-level outcomes and progress measures not captured here.

The school supports 22% of pupils with special educational needs, and 53% are entitled to free school meals, both above national averages. Just over half the cohort has English as an additional language. Early years provision, rated Good by Ofsted, benefits from spacious, purpose-built indoor and outdoor environments with separate areas for nursery and reception, promoting independence from the start. Phonics instruction is structured and explicit, though published phonics screening results were not available.

A new specialist science lab enables practical investigations across key stages, and computing is integrated throughout. Design technology, geography, history, religious education, and PSHE round out a broad offer. Forest school sessions utilise the developing school garden, where each class cultivates its own vegetable patch, connecting environmental education to real stewardship.

The Lena Gardens site provides wraparound playgrounds with separate zones for KS1 and KS2, quiet reflection areas, and the evolving school garden. A sports and events hall features the Lü interactive system, a digital platform combining light, sound, and movement to gamify physical education and boost engagement. This cutting-edge tool sets the PE curriculum apart, alongside traditional after-school clubs and inter-school fixtures.

The PE programme aims to equip every child with physical competence transferable to a range of sports. Celebration days, such as "This Girl Can", engage over 60 pupils, mothers, aunties, and grandparents in pre-school fitness workouts and sporting activities led by female staff. The school competes in Hammersmith and Fulham leagues and tournaments, and passionate staff and an expert coach lead after-school clubs throughout the year.

Music permeates school life. Weekly lessons, choir partnerships, and instrument tuition build a strong performance culture, with school concerts and assemblies showcasing talent. The house system adds a competitive but inclusive edge: house points, sports days, and music captains give every child a stake in collective success.

Educational visits extend learning beyond the classroom, with trips to the London Wetland Centre and other local venues embedding the school in its urban-meets-green environment. Stay and Play sessions welcome younger siblings and prospective families, fostering a welcoming atmosphere from the earliest contact.

Flora Gardens is highly oversubscribed. For primary entry, the school received 65 applications for 20 places, yielding an oversubscription ratio of 3.25:1. All first-preference applicants who received offers had listed Flora Gardens as their top choice, indicating no offers went to lower preferences. No distance data is published, but given the small cohort and high demand, proximity to the school is critical.

Admissions are managed by Hammersmith and Fulham local authority and follow a standard community school priority: looked-after children and those with statements naming the school, then siblings, then distance from home to school measured in a straight line. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a reception place, though siblings do receive priority. Parents should consult the Hammersmith and Fulham admissions team and the school directly for current-year distances and criteria, as these vary annually depending on cohort size and applicant profiles.

The school holds open mornings for prospective parents, beginning at 9.15am with a headteacher presentation followed by tours. Booking is required for Saturday sessions and Stay and Play events aimed at 2–3 year olds. Visiting the school in session is strongly advised to understand the culture and site firsthand.

Given the relocation in 2024, catchment patterns may shift as families become aware of the new facilities and site. Current rolls stand at approximately 186 pupils against a capacity of 210, suggesting some space but tight entry at reception level.

Flora Gardens Primary School offers a strong community primary education distinguished by exceptional outdoor space, specialist music and drama provision, and a warm, inclusive ethos. The move to Lena Gardens in 2024 has delivered facilities—science lab, interactive sports hall, drama space, forest school grounds—that elevate the learning environment well beyond many inner-London primaries. Ofsted's Outstanding judgements for behaviour and personal development reflect a school where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore their potential.

Academically, Flora Gardens performs solidly, with 82% of pupils meeting the expected standard in core subjects, above the national benchmark. However, rankings and high-attainment rates suggest scope to stretch more able learners and raise outcomes further. The school's broad intake, high EAL and FSM proportions, and inclusive ethos mean results must be understood in context: Flora Gardens serves a genuinely diverse community and does so with care and commitment.

For families seeking a nurturing, values-led primary with outstanding pastoral care and rich extracurricular life, Flora Gardens is an excellent choice. Its music programme, forest school, and partnerships with local secondary schools provide continuity and depth. The house system and leadership opportunities build confidence from an early age. However, competition for places is fierce, and proximity to the school matters greatly. Families further afield or seeking guaranteed entry should have realistic backup options.

In short, Flora Gardens is a Good school with Outstanding pastoral strengths, a distinctive green campus, and a vibrant cultural offer. It suits families who value community, creativity, and outdoor learning alongside academic progress, and who live within the tight catchment this small, popular school requires.

Is Flora Gardens Primary School a good school?

Yes. Ofsted rated Flora Gardens Good overall in 2022, with Outstanding grades for behaviour, attitudes, and personal development. Results are above national averages in core subjects, and the school offers a rich curriculum with specialist music, drama, and forest school provision in exceptional outdoor facilities.

How do I apply to Flora Gardens Primary School?

Applications are made through Hammersmith and Fulham local authority's coordinated admissions system. The school typically offers 20 reception places annually. Admissions follow a priority order: looked-after children, SEN statements naming the school, siblings, then distance. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a reception place. Visit the school's open mornings and consult the local authority for current-year criteria and deadlines.

What makes Flora Gardens Primary School unique?

Flora Gardens stands out for its expansive green grounds and purpose-built facilities in urban Hammersmith, including a specialist science lab, drama space, and sports hall with an interactive Lü system. The school offers forest school, Spanish from early years, and exceptional music provision via the Tri-borough Music Hub and Bach Choir partnership. It relocated to Lena Gardens in 2024, transforming its learning environment.

What are the catchment area and admissions criteria for Flora Gardens Primary School?

Flora Gardens is oversubscribed, with 65 applications for 20 places recently. Admissions are distance-based after priority groups (looked-after children, SEN, siblings). No published distance data is available, but proximity is critical. Contact Hammersmith and Fulham admissions for current-year distances and criteria, as these vary annually.

What extracurricular activities does Flora Gardens Primary School offer?

Flora Gardens offers after-school clubs in sport, music, drama, and other activities. The PE programme includes inter-school fixtures and tournaments, and the school participates in Hammersmith and Fulham sports leagues. Music provision includes choir, strings, piano, violin, and Rocksteady band sessions. The house system organises competitions, and educational visits to local venues enrich the curriculum.