St Paul's CofE Primary School, Worlidge Street Review 2026: Faith-Led Urban Primary with Outstanding Early Years

St Paul's CofE Primary School stands on Worlidge Street in the heart of Hammersmith, driven by a vision to see children "fully alive, filled with the light of Jesus, lighting the way for others." This one-form-entry Church of England voluntary aided primary serves children aged 3 to 11 in a compact urban setting. With a capacity of 235 pupils and a current roll of approximately 159, the school maintains a strong Christian ethos while navigating the challenges of inner-London admissions pressure. The November 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded Good judgements across quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership, with an Outstanding rating for its early years provision. Oversubscribed at a ratio of 2.4 applications per place, St Paul's attracts families drawn to its faith character, nurturing environment, and proximity to Hammersmith's transport links.

St Paul's CofE Primary School is rooted in a clear Christian mission, with prayer, worship, and scriptural values woven into daily school life. The school's vision statement emphasises enabling children to be "fully alive" and to "light the way for others," reflecting a commitment to spiritual development alongside academic progress. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St Paul's works closely with the Diocese of London and is part of the All Saints Partnership, a collaboration of local Church schools supporting shared professional development and resource-sharing.

The atmosphere is described as warm and inclusive, with a strong pastoral focus. Children are encouraged to develop empathy, respect, and a sense of service to the community. Collective worship and opportunities for reflection form a regular part of school life, while the school's small size fosters close relationships between staff, pupils, and families. Despite its inner-city location, the school cultivates a community feel, with strong parental engagement and a sense of shared purpose. Leadership emphasises high expectations for behaviour and achievement, balanced by a nurturing approach that recognises each child's individual needs.

St Paul's CofE Primary School's most recent national curriculum assessment results show that 77% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the national average of 62%. The proportion achieving the higher standard in all three subjects stood at 28%, more than triple the England average of 8%. Average scaled scores in reading (104), mathematics (103), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (104) all exceed national norms, indicating consistent strength across core subjects.

In reading, 79% of pupils met the expected standard and 26% achieved the higher standard. Mathematics results showed 74% at the expected level and 32% at the higher level, while in grammar, punctuation and spelling, 68% met expectations with 37% reaching the higher standard. Science attainment stood at 79%, slightly below the national average of 82%, but within a reasonable range. Writing saw 26% of pupils working at greater depth.

The November 2024 Ofsted inspection judged the quality of education as Good, with early years provision rated Outstanding. Inspectors noted strong teaching practices and a curriculum designed to build knowledge progressively. The school's pupil-to-teacher ratio of 18:1 allows for focused attention, and additional support is available for children with special educational needs or those requiring extra help in literacy and numeracy.

St Paul's CofE Primary School serves a local Hammersmith catchment, with families typically living within a relatively tight radius of the school due to its oversubscribed status. Many children transition from the school's own nursery provision, which offers early years education from age 3. The school's faith designation and proximity to central Hammersmith make it a popular choice for families seeking a Church of England education in an urban setting. Specific feeder data for which primary or nursery schools send the most pupils was not publicly available, but the school's admissions arrangements prioritise children with siblings already attending, those whose families worship regularly at a Christian church, and proximity to the school.

St Paul's CofE Primary School provides support for children with a range of special educational needs, coordinated by a designated SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). The school follows an inclusive approach, ensuring that children with SEND are supported to access the full curriculum alongside their peers. Interventions are tailored to individual needs, with additional teaching assistant support, targeted literacy and numeracy programmes, and differentiated classroom teaching forming the core of provision.

Conditions supported

• Learning differences: dyslexia, speech and language difficulties
• Social/emotional: anxiety support, social communication needs

The school works closely with external specialists, including speech and language therapists and educational psychologists, to ensure appropriate support is in place. Parents are encouraged to engage early with the SENCo if they have concerns about their child's learning or development.

St Paul's CofE Primary School is highly oversubscribed, with 41 applications for 17 available Reception places in the most recent admissions round, a subscription ratio of 2.41. All families who expressed the school as their first preference and were offered a place received that offer, indicating that the school's published admissions criteria are applied consistently but that competition is intense.

Admissions are coordinated by Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority, with applications typically opening in the autumn term for entry the following September. As a Church of England voluntary aided school, St Paul's uses faith-based admissions criteria. Priority is generally given to:

1. Looked after children and previously looked after children.
2. Children with a sibling at the school at the time of admission.
3. Children whose families worship regularly at a Christian church (with supporting evidence from clergy).
4. Other applicants, ranked by distance from the school.

Due to the school's central Hammersmith location and popularity, catchment distances are short, and families living more than a few hundred metres away may find it difficult to secure a place unless they meet faith or sibling criteria. The school does not publish a specific last-distance-offered figure, but the high level of oversubscription and urban density suggest that proximity is a significant factor.

Parents are advised to check the Hammersmith and Fulham admissions webpage for detailed criteria, timelines, and supporting documentation requirements. Nursery attendance at St Paul's does not guarantee a Reception place, though it allows families to become familiar with the school's ethos and community.

St Paul's CofE Primary School offers a distinctive Christian education in the heart of Hammersmith, combining strong academic outcomes with a clear faith ethos and nurturing pastoral care. Its results place it well above national averages in core subjects, with more than three-quarters of Year 6 pupils meeting expected standards and a notable proportion achieving higher standards. The Outstanding judgement for early years provision reflects a solid foundation for younger children, while Good ratings across other areas confirm consistent quality.

For families seeking a Church of England education within walking distance of Hammersmith, St Paul's represents a strong choice, particularly for those able to meet faith or sibling criteria. The school's small size and one-form-entry structure create a close-knit community, though this also means limited intake and fierce competition for places. The Christian ethos is central to the school's identity and will resonate most with families who value prayer, worship, and scriptural values as part of daily school life.

However, the school's oversubscribed status and faith-based admissions mean it is not accessible to all local families, and those without a church connection or sibling link may find it difficult to secure a place. The compact urban site, while convenient, offers limited outdoor space compared to schools with larger grounds. Families should also be prepared for the realities of inner-London primary education, including higher costs of living, limited parking, and the need for timely engagement with the admissions process.

For the right family—those committed to a Christian ethos, living within a short distance, and valuing a small, community-focused environment—St Paul's CofE Primary School delivers strong teaching, solid results, and a warm, faith-led atmosphere. Its combination of academic rigour and pastoral care makes it a credible option in the competitive Hammersmith primary school landscape.

Is St Paul's CofE Primary School a good school?

St Paul's CofE Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted as of November 2024, with Outstanding early years provision. Academic results are well above national averages, with 77% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics compared to 62% nationally, and 28% achieving the higher standard versus 8% nationally. The school offers a strong Christian ethos, nurturing pastoral care, and consistent teaching across the primary years.

How do I apply to St Paul's CofE Primary School?

Applications are made through the Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority coordinated admissions process, typically opening in the autumn term for the following September's Reception intake. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St Paul's uses faith-based oversubscription criteria, prioritising looked after children, siblings, families with regular church attendance, and proximity to the school. Supporting documentation from clergy is required for faith-based applications. Check the Hammersmith and Fulham admissions webpage and the school's website for detailed criteria and timelines.

What is the catchment area for St Paul's CofE Primary School?

The school does not publish a formal catchment boundary, but as a highly oversubscribed school in central Hammersmith, last-offered distances are short. Families living within a few hundred metres of the school have a better chance of admission, particularly if they meet faith or sibling criteria. The admissions ratio of 2.4 applicants per place indicates strong competition, and proximity is a significant factor for those without priority criteria.