Campsbourne Junior School Review 2026: Strong Results in North London

On a leafy residential street in Hornsey, children arrive each morning at a junior school that delivers results far exceeding England averages. Campsbourne serves 240 pupils aged 7 to 11, drawing from the surrounding streets where Victorian terraces meet Edwardian conversions. The school's 2024 Key Stage 2 results place it among the top-performing junior schools in England, outperforming 95% of primaries nationwide and ranking 10th among 55 primaries in Haringey. This is a school where high expectations and strong teaching combine to produce outcomes that rival many selective schools, all within the state sector.

The school occupies a compact site on Nightingale Lane, where the main building dates from the early twentieth century. Successive extensions have added modern classrooms and specialist spaces without overwhelming the original structure. At morning drop-off, the gates reveal an orderly transition from street to school day. Children move confidently through the entrance, greeting staff by name and settling quickly into morning routines.

Leadership under the current head teacher maintains a focus on academic rigour paired with pastoral warmth. The 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Good across all categories, with inspectors noting that pupils behave well, show respect for one another, and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. The report highlighted strong relationships between staff and pupils, with children describing their teachers as supportive and approachable.

Displays throughout the building celebrate pupil work across subjects. Corridor walls feature mathematics problem-solving, creative writing, and science investigations. The school's values centre on respect, resilience, and curiosity. These terms appear in assemblies, classroom discussions, and behaviour conversations, creating a shared language that pupils use naturally when describing their experiences.

The small site means outdoor space is limited, but the school maximises what is available. A playground serves for break times and lunchtimes, with structured activities and equipment rotation ensuring all children can engage in active play. Staff supervise closely, and the atmosphere at breaks mirrors the purposeful calm of lesson times.

Campsbourne's 2024 Key Stage 2 results demonstrate exceptional performance across all measured areas. 89% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This 27-percentage-point gap reflects sustained high performance rather than a single-year anomaly. The school has maintained results above 85% for reading, writing, and mathematics combined over the past three years.

Individual subject performance reinforces this picture. In reading, 91% of pupils met the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 109 against the England average of 104. In mathematics, 91% reached the expected standard, again with an average scaled score of 109 compared to the England average of 105. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling saw 91% of pupils meeting the standard, with an average scaled score of 110.

At the higher standard, 38% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 8%. This 30-percentage-point difference indicates that the school not only ensures most pupils meet expected standards but also pushes capable learners to exceed them. 49% achieved the higher standard in reading, 43% in mathematics, and 49% in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. In writing, 21% demonstrated greater depth, reflecting the challenge of achieving the highest standards in this subject even in high-performing schools.

Science results were near-universal, with 98% of pupils reaching the expected standard compared to the England average of 82%. This outcome suggests strong science teaching and effective curriculum coverage across the key stage.

Campsbourne ranks 794th in England for primary outcomes, placing it in the top 5% of all primaries nationwide. Within Haringey, the school ranks 10th among 55 primaries, a position that reflects both the strength of local primary provision and Campsbourne's consistent performance within that competitive context.

Teaching follows the national curriculum with attention to depth and challenge. Lessons move at pace, with teachers setting high expectations for work quality and effort. Pupils describe lessons as structured but varied, with clear explanations followed by opportunities for practice and application. Mathematics teaching emphasises problem-solving alongside calculation, with reasoning tasks embedded throughout the curriculum.

Reading receives dedicated attention across the school. Guided reading sessions focus on comprehension, inference, and vocabulary development. Pupils access a range of texts, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, with discussion and written responses used to deepen understanding. The school library, while modest in size, offers a well-curated selection of age-appropriate books that staff refresh regularly.

Writing instruction balances mechanics with creativity. Grammar and punctuation are taught explicitly, with skills practised in context through extended writing tasks. Pupils produce narrative, persuasive, and informational texts across the curriculum, with teachers providing detailed feedback to guide improvement.

Science is taught weekly by class teachers, with occasional specialist input for particular topics. The curriculum covers biology, chemistry, and physics content appropriate to the age group, with practical investigations forming a regular part of lessons. Pupils conduct experiments, record observations, and draw conclusions, developing scientific thinking alongside subject knowledge.

Computing, art, music, and physical education receive timetabled slots, ensuring broad curriculum coverage despite the school's academic focus. French is introduced in Year 3, taught by a specialist teacher who visits weekly. Pupils develop basic conversational skills and cultural awareness, providing a foundation for secondary language study.

Class sizes average 30 pupils, with each year group split into a single class. Teaching assistants support pupils with additional needs, working under teacher direction to provide targeted intervention. The school uses assessment data to identify pupils requiring extra support, with small-group sessions and one-to-one tuition arranged as needed.

Each class has a dedicated teacher who oversees academic progress and personal development. Pupils describe feeling known and supported, with staff responding quickly to concerns. The school's behaviour policy emphasises clear expectations and consistent consequences, with praise and recognition used to reinforce positive choices.

The special educational needs coordinator works part-time, coordinating support for pupils on the SEN register. Approximately 12% of pupils receive additional help, a proportion slightly below the England average. Support ranges from in-class assistance to specialist interventions, depending on individual need. The school maintains communication with parents and external agencies to ensure coordinated provision.

Emotional wellbeing receives attention through assemblies, circle time, and one-to-one conversations when needed. Staff receive training in recognising signs of distress and know how to refer concerns appropriately. The school works with external services when specialist support is required, though capacity in these services can limit availability.

Safeguarding procedures follow statutory requirements, with staff trained to recognise and report concerns. The designated safeguarding lead maintains oversight of vulnerable pupils, liaising with social care and other agencies as needed. The 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Extracurricular provision operates on a smaller scale than in larger primaries, reflecting the school's size and resources. After-school clubs run on selected days, with activities including football, netball, art, and coding. Participation is open to all year groups, with clubs rotating termly to provide variety.

Music features in the curriculum, with all pupils receiving classroom music teaching. Some pupils learn instruments through the Haringey Music Service, though this requires separate arrangement and payment. The school holds an annual performance, typically in the summer term, where pupils showcase singing and occasional instrumental pieces.

Physical education includes gymnastics, dance, athletics, and games. The school participates in occasional inter-school competitions, though limited outdoor space constrains on-site provision. Pupils use nearby parks and facilities for some activities, with staff organising transport and supervision.

Residential trips are not a feature of the school's programme, though day trips support curriculum topics. Year groups visit museums, galleries, and local sites of interest throughout the year. These trips are planned to reinforce classroom learning, with follow-up work ensuring educational value.

Sports Day takes place annually, with parents invited to attend. The event includes traditional track and field activities adapted to the available space. Pupils compete in house teams, fostering a sense of collective identity beyond the individual classroom.

Pupils typically progress to secondary schools in Haringey and neighbouring boroughs. Popular destinations include Fortismere School, Highgate Wood School, and Alexandra Park School, all well-regarded comprehensives within the local area. Some pupils secure places at selective schools outside the borough, including grammar schools in Barnet and independent schools offering scholarships.

The school provides information about secondary transfer during Year 5 and Year 6, with parents responsible for researching options and submitting applications through the coordinated admissions system. Staff offer guidance on the process but do not formally prepare pupils for entrance tests. Families pursuing selective school entry typically arrange private tutoring to support 11-plus preparation.

Transition arrangements with receiving secondary schools vary. Fortismere School, one of the main destinations, organises visits and information-sharing to ease the move. The school passes on academic records and relevant pastoral information, ensuring continuity of support for pupils with additional needs.

Data on specific destination breakdowns is not published, but conversations with staff suggest that most pupils progress to their first-choice secondary schools. The strength of Key Stage 2 results positions pupils well for successful secondary applications, whether to local comprehensives or selective alternatives.

Admissions are coordinated by Haringey Council. Applications for Year 3 entry open each autumn for the following September, with a deadline of 15 January. The school is a junior school only, admitting pupils at age 7 rather than at Reception. Most children arriving at Campsbourne have attended Campsbourne Infant School, the linked infant school on the same site, though places are also available to children from other infant schools.

Oversubscription criteria follow Haringey's standard priorities. After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated to siblings of current pupils, then by distance from the school. The distance criterion is measured in a straight line from the child's home address to the school gate, with those living closest receiving offers first.

The school does not publish the furthest distance offered in recent years, and Haringey's admissions data for individual schools is not readily available online. Families considering an application should contact the school or Haringey admissions team to understand recent patterns. Proximity to the school increases the likelihood of securing a place, particularly for applicants without siblings already on roll.

No entrance tests or interviews are conducted. Admission is based solely on the published criteria, ensuring a fair and transparent process. The school welcomes families to visit during open mornings, typically held in the autumn term. Booking is required, with details published on the school website closer to the dates.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Pupils line up in the playground before being collected by their class teacher at the start of the day. At the end of the school day, pupils are dismissed from their classrooms to waiting parents or carers.

Breakfast club operates from 8:00am, providing supervised care and a light breakfast before the school day begins. After-school club runs until 5:30pm on selected days, offering a mix of activities and homework support. Both wraparound options require advance booking and incur charges, with details available from the school office.

The school is located on Nightingale Lane, accessible on foot from surrounding residential streets. Hornsey rail station is approximately 10 minutes' walk, providing Overground services to central London and beyond. Several bus routes serve the area, including the W3 and W7, which stop within a few minutes of the school. On-street parking is restricted during school hours, with controlled parking zones in operation. Families driving to drop-off are encouraged to park further from the school gates to reduce congestion and support road safety.

Uniform consists of a royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan with the school logo, worn with grey trousers or skirts and a white shirt or polo shirt. Uniform items are available from local suppliers, with details provided to new families. The school operates a second-hand uniform scheme, offering affordable options for families.

School meals are provided by Haringey's catering service, with hot meals available daily. Pupils may also bring packed lunches from home. Menus follow nutritional guidelines and accommodate dietary requirements, including vegetarian, halal, and allergy-specific options.

Junior school entry at age 7. Campsbourne admits pupils in Year 3, not Reception. Families new to the area or seeking a primary place for younger children will need to apply elsewhere for infant education. The linked infant school, Campsbourne Infant School, serves Reception to Year 2, but admission to the infant school does not guarantee progression to the junior school.

Limited extracurricular breadth. The school's smaller size and resource constraints mean fewer clubs and activities than larger primaries. Families seeking extensive music tuition, sports coaching, or specialist enrichment may need to arrange these independently outside school hours.

Compact site. Outdoor space is limited compared to primaries with larger grounds. While the school makes effective use of available facilities, children do not have access to extensive playing fields or woodland areas during the school day.

No on-site nursery provision. The school serves ages 7 to 11 only. Families seeking nursery or early years education will need to arrange this elsewhere before their child reaches junior school age.

Campsbourne Junior School delivers academic outcomes that place it among the strongest primaries in England, achieving results that many independent schools would celebrate. High expectations, rigorous teaching, and a calm, purposeful environment combine to ensure that the vast majority of pupils not only meet expected standards but exceed them. The school's position in the top 5% of primaries nationwide reflects sustained excellence rather than short-term gains. For families living close enough to secure a place, this represents exceptional state education, producing well-prepared pupils ready for the challenges of secondary school. Best suited to families who value strong academic foundations, clear structures, and a focus on core subjects, all delivered without fees. The main limitations are the compact site and the narrower range of extracurricular options compared to larger or better-resourced schools.