Wormholt Park Primary School Review 2026: A Rights-Respecting Community in White City

Wormholt Park Primary School holds UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold Status, one of the highest recognitions for embedding children's rights into the school's ethos and culture. Serving White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, this two-form entry primary school educates approximately 310 pupils aged 3 to 11. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023, with Outstanding grades for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. Headteacher Anika Hargie leads a community where children thrive academically and emotionally, supported by a curriculum redesigned to develop life skills alongside learning. The school's Rights Respecting framework permeates every aspect of daily life—from the playground to the classroom—creating a calm, friendly environment where pupils understand responsibility for themselves, their peers, and the wider world.

Wormholt Park Primary School's identity is anchored in its commitment to children's rights and dignity. The UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold Status represents more than an award; it shapes how staff, pupils, and families interact. The framework encourages children to take responsibility for their own actions, to respect others, and to understand their role in the community and environment. This ethos creates an atmosphere that is both nurturing and aspirational.

Headteacher Anika Hargie's vision is clear: all children should achieve their very best while growing into happy, confident, and respectful individuals. The school's approach balances academic ambition with personal development, ensuring pupils acquire not only knowledge but also the life skills needed for the future. The leadership team believes strongly in partnership with families, recognising that children learn best when home and school work together. This collaborative approach is reflected in the school's open-door policy and the availability of resources such as virtual tours and a downloadable prospectus to help prospective families understand the community.

The school serves a diverse urban community in White City, an area with strong transport links and a mix of residential and regenerated spaces near Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith. The school's location in this vibrant part of west London influences its inclusive, outward-looking character, with pupils drawn from a range of backgrounds and cultures.

Wormholt Park's academic performance places it below national averages, with results that reflect the challenges of serving a diverse, urban intake. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 68% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. However, 15% achieved the higher standard across these subjects, above the national average of 8%. The school's average scaled scores were 104 in reading, 102 in maths, and 104 in grammar, punctuation and spelling—broadly in line with national benchmarks. In science, 75% of pupils met the expected standard, slightly below the national figure of 82%.

These results indicate a school that serves its pupils well in the context of its community, though there is scope for further improvement. The school ranks 10,802nd in England for primary performance and 35th within Hammersmith and Fulham. While not among the highest-performing schools in the borough, the school's Ofsted inspection in July 2023 recognised significant strengths in curriculum design, early reading, and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Ofsted inspectors found that the school has an ambitious approach to early reading, ensuring that all pupils become confident and motivated readers. Phonics teaching is systematic, and pupils benefit from well-sequenced learning across subjects that helps them remember more over time. Leaders swiftly identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEND, providing suitable adaptations to the curriculum and environment. The SENCO, Samantha Everett, oversees provision for pupils requiring additional support.

One area for development identified by Ofsted is ensuring that teachers consistently check whether pupils have securely understood content before moving on, and that tasks always match learning goals. This points to a school that is self-aware and committed to refining its teaching practice.

The school offers a comprehensive programme of clubs and extracurricular activities, many provided free of charge. During the Autumn 2025 term, the timetable included Lego clubs for younger year groups, football for Years 5 and 6, art and drawing for various ages, chess, singing, animation, comic creation, and computing. Several clubs are invitation-only, allowing staff to target enrichment to specific pupils. Morning clubs for reading and maths provide additional academic support for pupils in Years 2 to 6. A breakfast club opens at 8am, catering to families who need early drop-off before the school day begins at 8:45am.

Facilities include well-equipped playgrounds, a football pitch, halls, and outdoor spaces. Pupils enjoy the range of play opportunities and take pride in their environment. The school has been Gold Accredited for Travel for Life from September 2023 to August 2026, recognising its commitment to sustainable and active travel. This reflects the school's engagement with the wider community and its emphasis on environmental responsibility, aligned with its Rights Respecting ethos.

The school organises numerous trips and events throughout the year, broadening pupils' horizons and linking classroom learning to real-world experiences. These opportunities, combined with the club programme, contribute to the Outstanding rating for Personal Development awarded by Ofsted.

Wormholt Park Primary School is a community school, and admissions for Reception are managed by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Families must apply through the local authority's coordinated admissions scheme, typically submitting applications by mid-January for entry the following September. The school's Determined Admission Arrangements for 2025–2026 and the LBHF Starting School Brochure provide full details of the criteria and process.

For the most recent admissions round, the school made 47 offers for Reception places and received 86 applications, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.83. All pupils who listed the school as their first preference and were offered a place received an offer, indicating that oversubscription was managed through the local authority's criteria (typically including looked-after children, siblings, and distance from school). The school does not publish the furthest distance offered, so families living close to the school in the White City, Shepherd's Bush, and Hammersmith areas are most likely to secure places. Parents are advised to consult the LBHF admissions data for recent years to gauge their chances based on home address.

Nursery admissions are managed separately by the school. Children can apply after turning two, though they are not admitted until after their third birthday. Nursery places are part-time unless families have a 30-hour childcare code. Places are available now, and families are encouraged to visit in person to complete application forms and tour the setting. The Nursery Admissions Policy 2024 is available on the school website.

For in-year admissions (joining mid-year), families should refer to the LBHF in-year admissions page. Questions about the admissions process can be directed to Kim Taylor, the Senior Administrator, via the school office.

Wormholt Park Primary School is a strong choice for families seeking a values-driven, inclusive primary education in White City. The school's UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold Status is not simply a badge; it shapes the daily experience of pupils, fostering a calm, respectful, and supportive environment. Ofsted's Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development reflect the success of this approach. Pupils are well-behaved, considerate, and engaged in their learning and community.

Academically, the school performs in line with or slightly above national averages in many areas, particularly in the proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard across reading, writing, and mathematics. While the school's overall ranking places it in the lower half of English primaries, this reflects the context of serving a diverse, urban population. The school's curriculum is ambitious, early reading is a priority, and provision for pupils with SEND is effective. Parents seeking a nurturing, rights-respecting environment where children are supported to achieve their best—academically and personally—will find much to value here.

The school's location in White City, with its strong transport links and proximity to central and west London amenities, adds practical appeal. The programme of clubs, trips, and enrichment activities is broad and accessible, contributing to pupils' personal development and well-being. Admission is competitive, with the school oversubscribed in recent years, so families should apply early and check their home address against local authority admissions data.

Wormholt Park is well-suited to families who prioritise a respectful, inclusive ethos and strong pastoral care alongside solid academic foundations. It is a school that invests in the whole child, preparing pupils not only for the next stage of education but for engaged, responsible citizenship.

Is Wormholt Park Primary School a good school?

Yes. Wormholt Park Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (July 2023), with Outstanding grades for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. The school holds UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold Status and provides a calm, respectful environment where pupils thrive academically and personally. Academic results are broadly in line with national averages, with particular strengths in early reading and support for pupils with SEND.

How do I apply to Wormholt Park Primary School?

For Reception entry, apply through the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham coordinated admissions scheme, usually by mid-January for the following September. Consult the LBHF Starting School Brochure and the school's Determined Admission Arrangements. For nursery places, apply directly to the school after your child turns two. For in-year admissions, refer to the LBHF in-year admissions page. Contact the school office (020 8743 5073) for questions.

What are the school's admissions criteria?

As a community school, admissions are managed by Hammersmith and Fulham. Criteria typically include looked-after children, siblings already at the school, and distance from home to school. The school was oversubscribed for Reception 2024, with 86 applications for 47 places. All first-preference applicants offered places received them, so proximity and sibling links are important. Check the local authority's admissions booklet for detailed criteria.

What extracurricular activities are available?

The school offers a wide range of clubs, many free of charge. Recent offerings include Lego, football, art, drawing, chess, singing, animation, computing, and movie clubs. There are also morning clubs for reading and maths. A breakfast club operates from 8am for families needing early drop-off. The school organises trips and events throughout the year to enrich the curriculum.

Does the school have a nursery?

Yes. The school has nursery provision for children aged 3 to 4. Children can apply after turning two but are admitted after their third birthday. Places are part-time unless families have a 30-hour childcare code. Nursery places are currently available. Apply directly to the school by visiting in person or contacting the office.

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

The school's SENCO, Samantha Everett, oversees support for pupils with SEND. Ofsted found that leaders swiftly identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEND, providing suitable adaptations to the curriculum and environment. The Rights Respecting ethos supports an inclusive approach to all learners.