Kenmont Primary School Review 2026: Victorian Heritage Meets Community Learning in Kensal Green

Kenmont Primary School occupies a striking Grade II listed Victorian building designed by Edward Robert Robson in 1883–84 for the London School Board, a fortress-like architectural landmark that towers above Kensal Green and has been recognised as a particularly impressive and well-preserved example of a board school. This state-funded community primary serves 240 pupils aged 3 to 11 in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, judged Good by Ofsted in January 2023. The school forms part of the Brackenbury, Kenmont and Wendell Park Federation under Executive Headteacher David Collins and delivers above-average Key Stage 2 outcomes: 81% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in the most recent results, well ahead of the national average of 62%. Ranked 7,040th in England, Kenmont sits in line with national averages and is the 31st-ranked primary in Hammersmith and Fulham. Applications for the 30 annual Reception places significantly exceed capacity, with 77 families applying in the most recent cycle, producing a subscription ratio of 2.57:1 and placing the school in oversubscribed status. The school describes itself as a small friendly community that values each child and offers an inspiring, engaging curriculum, complemented by partnerships with AktivaCamps and Pelican Music for enrichment and extended-day services.

Founded in the 1880s during the expansion of state education in London, Kenmont Primary School is housed in one of the capital's finest examples of Victorian board school architecture. The building's dramatic crenellated parapet and asymmetrical six-storey design were the work of Edward Robert Robson, the London School Board's first chief architect and a pioneer of purpose-built educational facilities. Kenmont's heritage is not merely aesthetic: the building's generous light, playground access and high ceilings reflect the Victorian commitment to fresh air, exercise and healthy learning environments that remain relevant today.

The school's mission centres on providing an inspiring and engaging curriculum so that children grow to their full potential and become responsible, caring members of the community. As a small primary with fewer than 250 pupils, Kenmont offers close relationships among staff, families and children, fostering a nurturing atmosphere that parents consistently value. The federation structure with Brackenbury and Wendell Park allows staff expertise to be shared across three schools while preserving each institution's distinct identity.

Kenmont serves a richly diverse community. The four most common home languages are English, Portuguese, Arabic and Somali, and children come from Black Caribbean, Black African, White British and Eastern European backgrounds, among others. This diversity is reflected in the school's inclusive ethos and its emphasis on preparing pupils to live and thrive in a multicultural society. Ofsted's 2023 inspection noted that leaders and teachers encourage pupils to take part in the wider life of the school, including school council membership and educational outings that complement classroom learning.

Kenmont delivers a curriculum that aims to ensure all pupils enjoy learning and achieve well across the subjects they study. In most areas, including reading and mathematics, the curriculum is working well, and pupils are prepared effectively for their future learning, according to Ofsted.

At Key Stage 2, the school's latest results place it above national standards on most measures. 81% of pupils met the expected standard in the combined reading, writing and maths assessment, compared with the national average of 62%. In reading specifically, 81% reached the expected standard and the average scaled score was 105; 14% achieved the higher standard. In maths, 76% met the expected level, 33% reached the higher standard and the average scaled score was 105. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 81% met expectations, 33% achieved high scores and the average scaled score was 105. The proportion of pupils achieving greater depth in writing stood at 19%, while 22% attained the higher standard across reading, writing and maths together, well above the national figure of 8%.

Science outcomes were particularly strong, with 90% of pupils reaching the expected standard, compared with the England average of 82%. The total combined score across reading, GPS and maths was 315, reflecting solid performance in the core statutory assessments.

Ranked 7,040th out of approximately 15,000 ranked primary schools in England, Kenmont performs in line with national averages overall and sits 31st among the 66 state primaries in Hammersmith and Fulham. The school's national percentile of 46.4% indicates middle-of-the-table performance nationally, though outcomes are consistently above average when measured against the national cohort's achievement.

Ofsted inspectors rated the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all as Good. The early years provision was likewise judged Good. Inspectors found that pupils are positive about all that the school has to offer, and leaders have put in place a curriculum that supports effective outcomes.

Special educational needs provision is integrated within the school's inclusive approach, though detailed SEN support structures and specific conditions supported were not publicly available at the time of writing. Parents seeking detailed information on SEND support are advised to contact the school directly.

Housed in a three-storey Victorian building with crenellated parapets and generous natural light, Kenmont's architecture provides a distinctive learning environment. The building's original design prioritised access to playgrounds and outdoor spaces, and these remain integral to school life. While the structure's heritage status means facilities must be maintained within conservation guidelines, the school benefits from the spatial generosity and solid construction typical of Robson's board schools.

Extracurricular provision includes a range of after-school clubs running daily from 3.20pm for an hour. AktivaCamps provides extended schools services from the end of the school day until 6.00pm every day for children from pre-school to Year 6, offering indoor activities such as art and design, science and construction, and outdoor sports including hockey, netball, football, touch rugby and rounders. Music education is supported through a partnership with Pelican Music, which offers one-to-one instrumental lessons to pupils at Kenmont and across the federation's schools.

The government's PE and Sports Premium funding is used to improve provision in physical education and sport, and the school publishes an annual report on how this grant is spent. Parents eligible for free school meals may also access discounted extra-curricular clubs.

Educational visits are planned to complement pupils' learning and help them learn about the world around them, contributing to the school's broad and balanced curriculum. The school's Healthy Schools London participation underscores its commitment to pupil health and wellbeing.

Kenmont's small size and community feel are frequently cited by local families as key strengths. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 17:1, individual pupils benefit from close attention and the school's nurturing ethos.

Admissions to Reception are coordinated by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Children are admitted to the Reception class in the September after their fourth birthday. Applications must be submitted by 15 January in the year of entry, with national offer day on 16 April. For Reception 2026, applications opened on 1 September 2025 and close on 15 January 2026, with offers issued on 16 April 2026.

Kenmont offers 30 Reception places annually. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 77 applications for these 30 places, producing a subscription ratio of 2.57:1 and confirming oversubscribed status. The proportion of first-preference applicants receiving first-preference offers was 1.13, indicating that slightly more first-preference offers were made than first-preference applications received—a figure likely reflecting complexities in the pan-London admissions system and multiple offer rounds.

Admissions criteria follow the standard Hammersmith and Fulham model: children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school are admitted first, followed by looked-after children and previously looked-after children, then siblings of current pupils, and finally pupils living nearest to the school by straight-line distance. Distance is the decisive factor for most applicants. No recent last-distance-offered data were publicly available, though the school's oversubscribed status suggests catchment can be relatively tight in high-demand years.

Parents applying from outside Hammersmith and Fulham must still submit their application to their home borough, which will coordinate with LBHF. Families wishing to visit the school are encouraged to contact the school office on 020 8969 4497 or via email at admin@kenmont.lbhf.sch.uk.

Nursery admissions are managed separately. Attendance at Kenmont's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place, though the school advises that it is preferable for children intending to join Reception to also attend the nursery if possible.

In-year admissions for Year 1 to Year 6 require completion of an In-Year Admissions form via the applicant's home council. If no place is available, children are added to a waiting list. Once a place becomes available, families are contacted to visit the school and meet the headteacher before a start date is arranged.

Kenmont Primary School offers families a combination of heritage, community warmth and solid academic outcomes in a distinctive Victorian setting. Its Grade II listed building is more than an architectural curiosity: it provides a sense of history and permanence, and the generous spaces designed for late-19th-century board school pupils continue to serve modern learners well. The school's small size and federation structure support a nurturing environment in which staff know children and families closely, and the diversity of the pupil body enriches the curriculum and the daily life of the school.

Academically, Kenmont performs well above national averages at Key Stage 2, with particularly strong outcomes in science, reading and maths. The latest results place 81% of pupils at or above expected standards in the core combined measure, significantly ahead of the national 62%, and the school's outcomes in reaching higher standards also exceed national benchmarks. Ranked in the middle nationally, Kenmont delivers consistent performance that reflects effective teaching and curriculum design, as recognised by Ofsted's Good judgement across all categories in 2023.

Admissions are competitive. With applications at more than two-and-a-half times the number of places available, securing a Reception place is not guaranteed, and families living within the tightest part of the catchment will have the strongest prospects. The school's location in Kensal Green and its popularity with local families mean that demand consistently outstrips supply.

For parents seeking a small, inclusive, academically sound primary school with a strong community ethos and a remarkable historic setting, Kenmont is worth serious consideration. Its blend of Victorian architecture, multicultural diversity and above-average educational outcomes makes it a distinctive and effective choice in Hammersmith and Fulham's competitive primary landscape.

Is Kenmont Primary School a good school?

Yes. Kenmont Primary School was judged Good by Ofsted in January 2023 across all categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. At Key Stage 2, 81% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, well above the national average of 62%. The school is ranked 7,040th in England and 31st in Hammersmith and Fulham, performing in line with national averages overall and consistently above average on individual measures.

How do I apply to Kenmont Primary School?

Applications for Reception are made through the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham's coordinated admissions system. The application window opens on 1 September and closes on 15 January in the year of entry, with national offer day on 16 April. Families living outside Hammersmith and Fulham must apply via their home borough, which will coordinate with LBHF. In-year applications for Years 1 to 6 are made through your home council. Nursery applications are managed separately by the school.

Is Kenmont Primary School oversubscribed?

Yes. Kenmont received 77 applications for 30 Reception places in the most recent cycle, producing a subscription ratio of 2.57:1. The school is classified as oversubscribed. Admissions are determined primarily by proximity, with siblings given priority, so families living closest to the school have the best chance of securing a place.

What are the school's facilities like?

Kenmont is housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building designed by Edward Robert Robson in 1883–84. The building features high ceilings, generous natural light and access to outdoor playgrounds. As a heritage building, facilities must be maintained within conservation guidelines. The school offers extended-day provision through AktivaCamps, running daily until 6.00pm, and enrichment activities including sports, art, science and music lessons in partnership with Pelican Music.

What is the school's catchment area?

Kenmont does not publish a fixed catchment area. Admissions are determined by straight-line distance from home to school, after priority categories such as looked-after children and siblings. With the school oversubscribed at a ratio of 2.57:1, distance can be a decisive factor. No recent last-distance-offered data were publicly available. Families are advised to contact the school or LBHF admissions for guidance on recent admissions patterns.

Does attending the nursery guarantee a Reception place?

No. Attending Kenmont's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. However, the school advises that it is preferable for children intending to join Reception to also attend the nursery if possible. All Reception applications must be made through the local authority's coordinated admissions process, and places are allocated according to the published criteria.