St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Masbro Road Review 2026: Historic Community Primary with Strong Results

Founded in 1850 by the Catholic Poor Committee as a teacher training school, St Mary's Catholic Primary School has served West Kensington's Catholic community for over 170 years. This one-form entry primary on Masbro Road educates 177 pupils aged 3 to 11, ranking in the top 13% nationally for Key Stage 2 attainment. The school achieved an Ofsted "Good" rating in its April 2024 inspection. With 88% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and maths – far above the 62% national average – and a pupil-teacher ratio of 18:1, St Mary's combines academic strength with a nurturing Catholic ethos. The school relocated to its current site following a fire in the 1970s and transitioned to co-educational provision at that time. It remains part of the Holy Trinity, Brook Green parish and is jointly operated by the Diocese of Westminster and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

St Mary's sits at the intersection of deep historical roots and modern Catholic primary education. The school began life in 1850 on Brook Green under the Brothers of Christian Instruction, initially combining teacher training with primary education. When the teacher training function transferred to Strawberry Hill in Twickenham in 1925, the primary school remained. The 1970s fire prompted not just a change of location to Masbro Road but also a fundamental shift in character, opening the school to both boys and girls for the first time.

Today, the school grounds Catholic values in everyday school life. Prayer and liturgy programmes anchor the school year, while Catholic social teaching informs the curriculum approach. Religious education sits at the heart of learning, supported by diocesan initiatives including Pilgrims of Hope and the Festival of Hope. The school serves families primarily from the Holy Trinity parish, maintaining strong links with the local Catholic community.

As a one-form entry school admitting 30 pupils per year group, St Mary's offers a smaller, more intimate environment than many London primaries. Current headteacher Ms Lucy Black leads a school where faith and academic rigour are not seen as separate pursuits but as complementary paths to developing well-rounded children. The ethos emphasizes community, service and the development of each child's unique potential within a Catholic framework.

St Mary's delivers performance well above national averages across all Key Stage 2 measures. In the most recent results, 88% of pupils reached expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally. The school ranks 1,858th in England and 17th locally in Hammersmith and Fulham, placing it among the top-performing primary schools nationally.

Attainment in individual subjects shows particular strengths. Grammar, punctuation and spelling stands out, with 71% of pupils achieving high scores and an average scaled score of 111. Reading also exceeds national expectations, with 94% reaching expected standards and 29% achieving high scores, supported by an average scaled score of 107. In maths, 88% met expected standards with 24% achieving high scores and an average scaled score of 106. Writing saw 29% of pupils working at greater depth.

The school's combined high attainment rate – 27% of pupils achieving high standards in reading, writing and maths together – far outstrips the 8% national average. This demonstrates that St Mary's not only ensures most pupils meet expected standards but also stretches higher-attaining children effectively.

The curriculum covers all National Curriculum subjects including English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, design technology, music, Spanish, physical education and computing. Knowledge Organisers provide structure, while specialist programmes include STEM initiatives and an Eco-Warriors environmental education programme. Remote learning capabilities developed during recent years remain in place as a backup resource.

SEND provision operates with dedicated support resources, though specific details of specialist staff or the nature of interventions are not extensively detailed in public-facing materials. Parents seeking detailed SEND information should contact the school directly. Breakfast club and after-school care extend the school day for working families, and nursery provision for 3-year-olds enables early entry into the school community.

For a compact urban primary, St Mary's offers unusually generous outdoor space. The school grounds include an all-weather Multi-Use Games Area that ensures sport continues regardless of weather, an adventure playground, field grounds and playground sports markings. These facilities support an active sports programme emphasizing participation and competition.

Physical education forms a core part of school life. Children experience many different sports through curriculum PE lessons and extracurricular opportunities. The school runs intra-house competitions throughout the year in netball, football, basketball, hockey, tag rugby and athletics, enabling every child to experience competitive sport in a supportive environment.

Beyond sports, extracurricular provision includes a range of clubs and educational visits. Subject masterclasses provide enrichment for pupils showing particular aptitude or interest. PGL outdoor education trips offer residential experiences that build independence and teamwork. The Friends of St Mary's parent group supports school events and fundraising activities, strengthening the community feel.

The school's commitment to continuous improvement is visible in its approach to facilities and equipment. Much of the school's sports premium funding has been directed toward enhanced equipment, ensuring children have access to quality resources for physical activity.

Admissions to St Mary's are managed by Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority, with the school's Catholic character determining oversubscription criteria. As a voluntary aided school, governors set admissions arrangements in consultation with the diocese and local authority. The school is heavily oversubscribed, receiving 75 applications for 25 Reception places in the most recent cycle – a subscription ratio of 3:1. All first-preference applicants who received offers had named St Mary's as their first choice, indicating strong demand from families specifically seeking a place at this school.

While distance data is not publicly available for recent cohorts, the school's Catholic admissions criteria mean catchment patterns differ from non-faith schools. Priority typically follows diocesan guidance, with baptised Catholic children whose families are active in parish life receiving highest consideration, followed by other Christian denominations, other faiths and finally those of no faith. Sibling links, proximity to the school and evidence of regular Mass attendance all influence outcomes.

Parents should obtain a Certificate of Catholic Practice from their parish priest well in advance of application deadlines. Families new to the area or returning to church practice may face more competitive odds. The school's location in densely populated West Kensington, combined with its long history and strong results, means demand consistently outstrips supply.

Prospective families are encouraged to attend school tours, typically arranged by appointment. Visiting before applying provides insight into whether the school's faith-centered approach aligns with family values. The admissions process follows the standard London primary timeline, with applications submitted in the autumn term for entry the following September. Supplementary Information Forms are required for faith-based places.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Masbro Road offers a compelling combination of historical heritage, faith-centered values and strong academic outcomes in the heart of West Kensington. Its performance data places it well above national averages and in the top tier of Hammersmith and Fulham primaries, with particular strength in ensuring the vast majority of pupils reach expected standards while also stretching higher attainers.

The school's Catholic identity is not window-dressing but a lived reality shaping daily routines, curriculum priorities and community relationships. For families seeking a faith-based education within the Diocese of Westminster framework, St Mary's provides a well-established option backed by over 170 years of service to the local Catholic community. The intimate one-form entry structure means children and families are known individually, and the school's connection to Holy Trinity parish creates continuity between home, school and faith community.

Facilities are notably strong for an urban primary, with the all-weather sports area and generous outdoor space supporting an active, healthy school day. Results in grammar, punctuation and spelling are particularly impressive, suggesting strong focus on technical literacy skills. The pupil-teacher ratio of 18:1 is reasonable for a state primary, enabling teachers to know pupils well.

Competition for places is intense, with three applications for every place. Families without strong parish connections or who live further from the school should have realistic expectations and ensure alternative preferences are carefully chosen. The school's voluntary aided status and diocesan affiliation mean admissions follow Catholic criteria, not simple distance measures.

St Mary's suits families who value Catholic education, appreciate the stability of a long-established institution, and seek a school where faith and learning are integrated. The school's track record demonstrates it can deliver academic results while maintaining a values-driven ethos. For West Kensington's Catholic families, St Mary's remains a natural first choice; for those from further afield or newer to parish life, it represents an aspiration requiring careful planning and realistic backup options.

Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Masbro Road a good school?

Yes. St Mary's is rated "Good" by Ofsted as of April 2024 and ranks in the top 13% of primary schools nationally for Key Stage 2 attainment. With 88% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and maths compared to 62% nationally, the school delivers strong academic outcomes alongside its Catholic ethos.

How do I apply to St Mary's Catholic Primary School?

Applications are made through Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority during the autumn term for the following September entry. As a Catholic voluntary aided school, you must also complete a Supplementary Information Form and obtain a Certificate of Catholic Practice from your parish priest if applying under faith criteria. Contact the school office on 020 7603 7717 or visit www.stmarysrc.lbhf.sch.uk for details.

What is the catchment area for St Mary's Catholic Primary School?

St Mary's does not operate a simple distance-based catchment. As a Catholic school, admissions prioritize baptised Catholic children with evidence of regular Mass attendance, alongside other faith and non-faith categories. The school primarily serves families from the Holy Trinity, Brook Green parish and surrounding Catholic community. Distance data for recent cohorts is not publicly available.

What are the school's strengths?

Key strengths include consistently strong Key Stage 2 results well above national averages, particularly in grammar, punctuation and spelling; a well-established Catholic ethos integrated throughout school life; generous outdoor facilities including an all-weather sports area; and an active extracurricular programme emphasizing sports and enrichment. The one-form entry structure creates an intimate community feel.

Does St Mary's have a nursery?

Yes, St Mary's offers nursery provision for children from age 3, enabling early entry into the school community before Reception year.

What is the school's approach to special educational needs?

The school provides SEND support with dedicated resources and information available for families. Specific details of specialist staffing, interventions and conditions supported should be discussed directly with the school's SENCo by contacting the school office.