St Anselm's Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Spiritual Depth

High on the slopes of Harrow on the Hill, St Anselm's Catholic Primary School represents a pinnacle of state primary education in North West London. Serving the Catholic community of Harrow for over 70 years, the school combines a deep-rooted religious ethos with academic outcomes that are in the elite tier of English primaries. With its red-brick facade and views across the leafy London suburbs, the school accommodates 420 pupils in a two-form entry structure. The 2024 results place the school among the top 2% of schools in England, reflecting a culture where high expectations are matched by a nurturing, faith-led environment. Under the leadership of Ms Tania Hunt, who was appointed in September 2023, the school has maintained an Outstanding status that is evidenced not just in its statistics, but in its calm and purposeful daily operations.

The atmosphere at St Anselm's is defined by its Catholic identity, which acts as the heartbeat of the school rather than a peripheral feature. The school motto, Strive for Excellence, Love One Another, is reflected in the courteous behaviour of the pupils and the warm, professional welcome extended by staff. The physical environment is well-maintained and orderly, with displays that celebrate both academic achievement and the liturgical year.

Ms Tania Hunt took over as Headteacher in September 2023, succeeding Maria O’Connell, and has overseen a period of continued excellence and curriculum development. Parents often describe the school as a close-knit community where families are known by name. This sense of belonging is fostered through regular Mass celebrations, school assemblies, and a strong partnership between the school and the Parish of Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury. The school operates as a disciplined, focused environment, yet it remains fundamentally a place of joy where pupils are encouraged to discover their individual talents.

The academic performance at St Anselm's is exceptional, consistently outperforming local and England averages by a significant margin. In 2024, an impressive 94.3% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is a remarkable achievement when compared to the England average of 62%.

Furthermore, the school excels in the pursuit of higher standards. Nearly half of the cohort (48%) achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, which is six times the England average of 8%. The school's scaled scores further illustrate this depth:

• Reading: 111 (England average: 105)
• Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling: 112 (England average: 105)
• Mathematics: 108 (England average: 104)

According to FindMySchool proprietary rankings, St Anselm's is ranked 326th in England and 5th among the 45 primary schools in Harrow. This performance places the school comfortably in the elite bracket of primary education providers.

Teaching at St Anselm's is characterised by high levels of subject expertise and a clear, structured approach to lesson delivery. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, ensuring that while core subjects like literacy and numeracy are prioritised, pupils also engage deeply with the humanities, arts, and physical education.

Science is a notable strength, with 100% of pupils reaching the expected standard in 2024. This is supported by practical, enquiry-led learning that encourages pupils to ask big questions about the natural world. Writing is also taught with great precision; 42% of pupils achieved greater depth in writing, a result of a curriculum that emphasizes vocabulary acquisition and grammatical accuracy from an early age. Teachers use assessment effectively to identify any pupils falling behind, ensuring that support is provided rapidly to maintain the school's high success rate.

As a primary school in a competitive North London borough, St Anselm's prepares its pupils for a variety of high-achieving secondary pathways. The majority of pupils transition to Catholic secondary schools within the Diocese of Westminster, most notably The Sacred Heart Language College (for girls) and Salvatorian Catholic College (for boys).

Due to the school's high academic standards, a significant proportion of families also successfully navigate the 11-plus process. Pupils frequently secure places at prestigious local grammar schools such as Queen Elizabeth’s School for Boys or Henrietta Barnett, as well as highly-regarded independent schools in the Harrow and Watford area. The school provides a solid foundation for these transitions, focusing on the resilience and independent study skills required for secondary success.

Securing a place at St Anselm's is a significant challenge. For the most recent entry cycle, the school received 225 applications for just 58 places, making it heavily oversubscribed with nearly four applications for every available desk.

As a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, the Governing Body is the admissions authority. Priority is given to baptised Catholic children who are resident in the specified parishes, with further weight given to those who can demonstrate practising status through a Certificate of Catholic Practice. While the school is inclusive, those without a strong Catholic commitment or those living far from the school gates may find entry difficult. Parents are encouraged to use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their proximity to the school, though in high-demand years, distance becomes a secondary factor to the faith criteria.

Pastoral care is rooted in the Catholic belief in the dignity of the human person. The school provides a safe, supportive environment where pupils' emotional needs are addressed with the same rigour as their academic ones. Behaviour is exemplary, with a clear system of rewards and sanctions that pupils understand and respect.

The latest inspection confirmed that pupils feel safe and identified that pupils have identified five adults who will listen and help them if they have a worry. Wellbeing initiatives, including worry boxes and playground peer mentors, ensure that pupils have multiple avenues to express concerns. Safeguarding is robust, and the school works closely with families to ensure a consistent approach to child welfare.

The extracurricular life at St Anselm's is vibrant, designed to develop the whole child. The school makes excellent use of its grounds for sport, offering football, netball, and athletics. STEM initiatives are also prominent, with coding clubs and LEGO robotics challenges that allow pupils to apply their mathematical skills in creative ways.

Music and the performing arts are central to the school's identity. The school choir is well-regarded, performing at liturgical events and local festivals. There are also opportunities for instrumental tuition, with a high uptake in piano and violin. Regular school trips, including a residential journey for Year 6 pupils, help to build independence and social cohesion outside of the traditional classroom setting.

The school day typically runs from 8:45 am to 3:15 pm. For working parents, St Anselm's offers wraparound care in the form of a Breakfast Club starting at 7:45 am and an After School Club that runs until 5:45 pm. These sessions are popular and usually require advance booking.

The school is located in a residential area of Harrow with limited parking. Parents are strongly encouraged to walk or use public transport; the school is well-served by local bus routes and is within walking distance of Harrow on the Hill station (Metropolitan Line and Chiltern Railways).

Fees & Financial Aid

St Anselm's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Voluntary Aided school. As such, there are no tuition fees for attendance.

Financial aid in the traditional sense of bursaries is not applicable; however, the school receives Pupil Premium funding to support disadvantaged students. Families are encouraged to check their eligibility for Free School Meals, which provides additional resources for the school to support the child's learning. Costs for school trips and optional extracurricular activities are kept as low as possible, and the school often has a hardship fund to ensure all pupils can participate in school life regardless of financial background.

• Strict Admissions Criteria: As a high-performing Catholic school, the admissions policy is rigorous. Families who are not practising Catholics or who do not have a Certificate of Catholic Practice may find it virtually impossible to secure a place during the initial allocation.
• High Academic Pace: The school's results are world-class, but this comes with a culture of hard work and high expectations. Pupils are expected to be focused and diligent from a young age, which may feel intense for some.
• Oversubscription: With nearly four applicants per place, the school is one of the most competitive in Harrow. Parents should have a clear Plan B and use the FindMySchool Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist and alternatives.
• Faith Commitment: The Catholic life of the school is pervasive. Families should be comfortable with their children participating in daily prayer, regular Mass, and a curriculum heavily influenced by Gospel values.

St Anselm's Catholic Primary School is a powerhouse of primary education that proves faith and academic excellence go hand-in-hand. It offers a rare combination of top-tier results and a deeply supportive, moral framework. Best suited to Catholic families who live within the parish boundaries and seek a disciplined, high-achieving environment for their children. For those who secure a place, the school provides an exceptional springboard for both grammar and top-tier Catholic secondary education.