St Stephen's CofE Primary School, Uxbridge Road: Elite Results and Genuine Community

In the heart of Shepherd's Bush, where West London gives way to White City, St Stephen's Church of England Primary School stands as a beacon of what outstanding primary education looks like. On a November afternoon in 2023, Ofsted inspectors rated the school Outstanding across every single measure, from quality of education and behaviour to personal development and leadership. The ratings are backed by results that speak for themselves: 93% of pupils reach expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, placing St Stephen's 26th in England and first in Hammersmith and Fulham. With 440 pupils and a mixed, community intake, the school combines academic excellence with genuine warmth and an ethos rooted in Christian values. "Through God We Achieve" runs the school's motto, and the evidence suggests this is far more than a slogan.

The Victorian building retains period character, but decades of thoughtful extension and refurbishment have created a modern learning environment without sacrificing charm. Classes are named after children's authors and illustrators — Ahlberg, Milne, Donaldson, McNaughton, Zephaniah, Ayres — signalling the school's emphasis on literacy and imagination from the earliest years.

Mr Michael Schumm leads the school with a vision that feels authentic rather than performative. Staff turnover is low, suggesting stability and consistency. Children describe the school as a place where they belong, where adults know them well, and where their voices are valued. The school council and house point system give pupils genuine agency over school life.

The ethos reflects genuinely Christian values without being insular. The school actively promotes diversity in the curriculum and celebrates British values through exploration of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect. Multi-faith religious education teaches pupils about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism with age-appropriate depth.

Behaviour is notably calm. Movement between lessons happens with minimal fuss. Pupils speak respectfully to one another and to adults. The school maintains clear expectations without feeling harsh. Consequences exist but so does restorative practice and genuine concern for wellbeing.

The nursery provision (ages 3-5) operates from a separate building with its own entrance on Coverdale Road, allowing younger pupils their own secure space while remaining connected to the main school community.

The curriculum follows the National Curriculum with deliberate enrichment across the arts and humanities. English receives particular emphasis, with phonics taught systematically and progression through reading and writing clearly mapped. Mathematics teaching follows a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach, building secure foundations before moving to fluency and problem-solving.

Spanish is taught from Reception onwards, developing linguistic confidence early. Science is taught as a separate subject with hands-on investigation. Computing appears across the curriculum, developing digital literacy and coding skills. The breadth of the curriculum — including art, design and technology, geography, history, music, physical education, and religious education — reflects the school's commitment to developing the whole child.

Teaching observed by inspectors was consistently strong, with expert subject knowledge, clear explanations, and high expectations. Lessons move at pace without rushing. Pupils are active in learning, asking questions and pursuing their own lines of enquiry. Low class sizes, with careful staffing decisions, mean that vulnerable pupils receive prompt support.

The library features prominently in school life, with a dedicated librarian and weekly enrichment activities. Themes rotate regularly (recently "Tales of Ice and Snow" and the "Big Garden Birdwatch"), drawing pupils into deeper reading and exploration.

Key Stage 2 Performance

In 2024, 93% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This represents exceptional performance:

• Reading: 96% met expected standards (England average 82%). Average scaled score of 113 (England average 100).
• Writing: High achievement data shows 40% of pupils achieved greater depth in writing.
• Mathematics: 96% met expected standards (England average 82%). Average scaled score of 111 (England average 100).
• Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS): 96% met expected standards. Average scaled score of 115 (England average 100), with 91% achieving high scores — the strongest subject performance.
• Science: 96% met expected standards (England average 82%).

The combined performance places St Stephen's 26th in England (FindMySchool ranking), ranking 1st among Hammersmith and Fulham's primaries. At the elite tier — the top 2% of primary schools in England — results consistently exceed both local and national averages.

Pupils transition to local secondary schools across London, with entry determined by the Hammersmith and Fulham admission process. The majority progress to the local non-selective comprehensive, whilst some pupils are successful in selective grammar school entrance (passing the 11-plus examination to schools including Reading School and Kendrick School). The school prepares pupils thoroughly for secondary transition, with familiar tutors accompanying children to new schools and careful pastoral handover.

The school does not produce raw 11-plus results, but exam success is reflected in the confidence and academic preparation pupils demonstrate at transfer. Year 6 receives additional consolidation support in spring term before secondary transition, recognizing that moving from primary to secondary is a significant step.

Music stands as a defining strength, delivered through Pelican Music, a specialist provider of conservatoire-trained tutors. Orchestral instrumental lessons are offered in school time across a range of instruments: piano, guitar, drums, brass (cornet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium), woodwind (fife, flute, clarinet, saxophone), violin, viola and cello. Beyond individual tuition, the school runs KS1 and KS2 orchestras, ensuring access for all pupils. The Young Singers chamber choir (by audition for Years 4-6) provides an elite vocal experience, whilst the broader choir tradition creates performance opportunities throughout the year.

Sports and Physical Education

Physical education is compulsory, with multiple clubs extending participation. Competitive Sport is actively managed, with representation across football, netball, athletics, and gymnastics. Rugby, cricket and tennis features across year groups. The school fields teams representing the borough in inter-school competitions, building a culture where sporting achievement is celebrated alongside academic success.

Gymnastics features prominently, with Aisha Walters as a named coaching specialist. Coaching sessions extend beyond the curriculum, preparing pupils for competition. Dance and movement features across early years and Key Stage 1, building confidence and coordination.

Drama and Performing Arts

Drama productions occur throughout the school year, anchored by a full Christmas production that demonstrates the investment in performance and the breadth of pupil participation. Children experience on-stage work from early years onwards, building confidence and presence.

Clubs and Enrichment Activities

The After-School Club House operates daily from 3:30pm to 6:00pm, offering wraparound care and enrichment. The school runs approximately six clubs between 4:00-5:00pm each day, plus early morning clubs Monday to Wednesday. Named clubs include:

• Martial Arts: Delivered by qualified instructors, building discipline and respect.
• Drama Club: Beyond curriculum drama lessons, providing deeper performance exploration.
• Football Club: Competitive and recreational participation for all abilities.
• Tennis Club: Developing racquet skills and court awareness.
• Ballet: Building grace and coordination through dance.

The flexibility of the Club House system (with sessions from 3:30-5:00pm at £8.50 and 3:30-6:00pm at £13.50) means families can access extended care alongside enrichment. Activities within Club House include puzzles, games, arts and crafts, construction kits, and reading space.

Breakfast Club operates from 7:30am-8:20am for early arrivals, with soft start between 8:45am and 8:55am registration.

Residential and Enrichment Trips

Residential trips create formative experiences. Pupils visit venues throughout London and beyond, with dedicated trip pages on the school website highlighting sites visited and learning objectives. Trips are integrated into the curriculum rather than peripheral to it.

The school supports competitive sport representation, ensuring talented pupils can pursue pathways in sports recognised by local sports partnerships.

Friends of St Stephen's (FOSS)

The parent community organisation (FOSS) strengthens the school-family bond and funds enrichment activities beyond the base budget. The existence of an active parent association signals genuine community engagement.

St Stephen's is significantly oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 203 applications for 60 Reception places. This 3.38:1 application ratio means competition is fierce. Entry is allocated by the Hammersmith and Fulham local authority according to standard criteria: looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans are first priority; then siblings of pupils already at the school; then proximity to the school. Distance-based allocation means families living within the immediate vicinity have the strongest chance of a place, though this varies year to year.

Entry to nursery is separate from Reception entry. The school operates mixed-age nursery provision for pupils aged 3-5, with government-funded early education hours available to eligible families (15 hours at age 2; 30 hours for eligible families from age 3).

The soft start system (8:45-8:55am for Year 1 onwards) allows flexible arrival, reducing morning pressure. School hours are 8:55am-3:25pm for EYFS and Key Stage 1, and 8:55am-3:30pm for Key Stage 2. The school day is 32.5 hours per week.

Parents considering application should note the strong oversubscription and plan accordingly. Entry criteria are clearly published on the Hammersmith and Fulham website.

School hours

8:55am-3:25pm (EYFS/KS1); 8:55am-3:30pm (KS2). Soft start 8:45am for Year 1+.

Breakfast club

7:30am-8:20am, £4/day (or £7.50 for 2 children, £11 for 3).

Wraparound care

Club House 3:30pm-6:00pm daily. Sessions: 3:30-5:00pm (£8.50), 3:30-6:00pm (£13.50), 5:00-6:00pm (£5.50). Late fees apply after 6:00pm.

After-school clubs

Approximately six clubs per day (4:00-5:00pm), plus early morning clubs Monday-Wednesday.

Music tuition

Pelican Music offers one-to-one instrumental lessons (20/30 minutes, 30 lessons per year) in piano, guitar, drums, brass, woodwind, strings, and music theory. Orchestras and chamber choir available at no additional cost to all pupils.

Travel and parking

The school is situated on Uxbridge Road, White City, with local bus routes (15, 72) providing public transport links. Parking on site is limited; street parking available nearby. Families without cars can access the school via bus or walking routes from local stations.

The school is a voluntary aided Church of England school, funded publicly but with a religious character. This means collective worship includes Christian themes, and religious education emphasises Christianity whilst respecting other faiths. Families of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed.

The school gives explicit attention to mental health and emotional wellbeing. A dedicated mental health page on the school website signals commitment to this dimension of development. Concerns are escalated quickly, with links to external agencies when needed.

The curriculum includes Relationships and Health Education (RHE), building emotional literacy and healthy life skills from an early age. The PSHE framework extends beyond the academic curriculum to cover character, resilience, and social competence.

Early intervention is key. Any pupil showing signs of difficulty receives prompt support. Teaching assistants work with identified pupils throughout the day, and the school has clear referral pathways to educational psychology, speech and language therapy, and other services.

The school council provides genuine voice for pupils, meeting regularly to address concerns and shape school policy. House systems (with named houses) create vertical pastoral structures where older pupils mentor younger ones.

Prayer space is available for families who wish to use it, and a Prayer Group meets regularly, providing community for families seeking spiritual connection.

Oversubscription is real. With 3.38 applications per place, securing entry requires proximity to the school. Distance-based allocation means families must be comfortable with their actual proximity before banking on a place here. You can check distances using FindMySchoolMap to verify your position relative to the school gates.

Strong church ethos. This is a genuine Church of England school, not merely a secular school with a church label. Collective worship includes Christian elements; religious education emphasises Christianity. Families uncomfortable with explicit Christian teaching should explore alternative schools.

High attainment culture. Excellent results and an aspirational curriculum mean the school suits families who value academic progress and challenge. Pupils are expected to work hard and engage thoughtfully. Children who thrive on structured learning and clear expectations will flourish; those needing a more fluid, play-based approach may find the culture less compatible.

Nursery is separate from Reception building. While the nursery is part of the school community, younger pupils (3-5) transition to the main building on entry to Reception. This change is managed carefully, but families should be aware that nursery at St Stephen's is not a guaranteed pathway to Reception entry (admissions are oversubscribed).

St Stephen's is a high-performing, genuinely community-focused school where academic excellence, faith values and pastoral warmth coexist authentically. Results place it in the elite tier nationally, yet the school feels warm rather than pressured, purposeful rather than anxious. The breadth of enrichment — particularly music, sport and arts — means pupils experience education as something far broader than examinations.

Best suited to families within proximity to the school who value Christian character education, academic progression and genuine community. Families uncomfortable with oversubscription or explicit church ethos should explore other options. For those who gain entry, St Stephen's offers first-class primary education at no cost.