St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Pinner Review 2026: High-performing Catholic primary with strong pupil voice

An oversubscribed, three-form entry Catholic primary in Pinner, with results that sit well above England averages and a culture that takes both learning and character seriously. The school first opened in 1973 and now admits 90 pupils into Reception each year, so year groups are large enough for breadth of friendships and activities.

The most recent inspection (5 and 6 December 2023) judged the school Outstanding across all graded areas, including early years.

For parents, the headline is consistency, strong outcomes at Key Stage 2 and a structured approach to reading, mathematics, and spoken language. The practical reality is competition for places, with applications materially exceeding offers in the most recent admissions dataset.

The tone is calm and purposeful, with pupils expected to manage themselves well and to speak thoughtfully. External evidence points to classrooms where disruption is uncommon and learning stays focused, supported by a shared language around resilience and self-control.

Faith is not an add-on. The school’s mission statement centres on growing and learning with Christ, and the language of Gospel values runs through assemblies and leadership opportunities. A notable feature is how many pupils take on structured roles. Alongside Catholic Life Ambassadors, there are pupil parliament roles and eco-focused groups, plus a wider set of leadership teams that include School Council, Junior Travel Ambassadors, Art Leaders, Sports Leaders and an Eco Club.

This is also a school that leans into participation. Being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School is used as a practical framework, with class charters and explicit teaching around pupils contributing to decisions that affect them.

The school’s Key Stage 2 outcomes are exceptionally strong. In 2024, 92% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

High attainment is not limited to the combined measure. Reading expected standard is 92%, mathematics 94%, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 89%. Science expected standard is 95%. Scaled scores are also high, with reading at 109 and mathematics at 110.

Depth is a clear feature. The proportion achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics is 43%, far above the England average of 8%.

Rankings provide another lens. Ranked 574th in England and 9th in Harrow for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data), performance places the school well above the England average, within the top 10% of schools in England.

Parents comparing multiple local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub to view results side by side using the Comparison Tool, especially helpful in boroughs where several schools perform strongly.

Reading is treated as a core priority, with systematic phonics taught consistently and closely checked for quality. Pupils begin learning letter sounds as soon as they start school, and books are matched carefully to the sounds pupils know, so early fluency is built deliberately rather than left to chance.

A second strand is oracy, taught explicitly from Reception onwards. Pupils are coached in subject vocabulary and in how to respond and talk with one another, which supports both learning and classroom culture.

Curriculum planning is structured around sequenced knowledge and regular revisiting. Examples given in the external evidence include mathematics foundations in Reception (recognising and counting quantities) feeding into later number work, and music learning progressing from rhythm and tempo work with percussion to performing pieces with greater confidence later on.

As a primary school, the key transition is into Year 7. The school builds readiness through strong literacy, explicit spoken language work, and leadership roles that encourage independence and responsibility.

The most helpful way to approach next steps is to map realistic secondary options early, including faith and non-faith routes, and to align them with your family’s priorities around ethos, travel time, and curriculum. The school’s Year 6 programme also reflects transition planning through experiences and visits that broaden pupils’ horizons ahead of secondary.

Reception entry is highly competitive. In the latest admissions dataset provided, there were 261 applications and 89 offers, a ratio of 2.93 applications per offer, with first preferences slightly exceeding first preference offers.

The Published Admission Number is 90 pupils for Reception each year. The route is Harrow’s coordinated admissions process via the Common Application Form, alongside a Supplementary Information Form submitted directly to the school for faith-based priority, with baptismal evidence requested as part of the process.

For September 2026 entry, the application window opens in September 2025 and the closing date is 15 January 2026. Offer outcomes are issued on 16 April 2026, with acceptance due by 30 April 2026.

Harrow’s wider context matters. The local authority notes that schools in Harrow generally do not operate catchment areas as part of admissions arrangements, and that distance is commonly used within criteria. Families should use FindMySchool Map Search to check their home-to-school distance accurately when shortlisting.

Safeguarding is treated as a core operational priority. The inspection states that safeguarding arrangements are effective, and the school publishes clear safeguarding roles and training levels.

Support is not one-size-fits-all. Pastoral options include Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) support delivered by trained staff, a Rainbows bereavement programme for children experiencing loss or major change, and Drawing and Talking as a therapeutic approach for helping pupils express emotions.

There is also a structured partnership offer, including a programme delivered through Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust, focused on developing skills for school and personal life across themed sessions led by a learning mentor.

The extracurricular menu is unusually detailed for a state primary and is organised by year group in places, which helps families understand what is genuinely available rather than assumed. Examples include Gaelic football (Years 5 and 6), cross country (Years 5 and 6), Irish dancing (all ages), gymnastics (Year 5), an Eco Club (Year 3), Change for Life (Years 3 and 4), plus School Council and rights-respecting leadership roles.

Sport is both inclusive and competitive. Recent evidence shows success in borough competition, including a tag rugby tournament win in March 2025 that led to representation at West London finals. Football is also prominent, with pupils representing at regional events.

Music has visible outputs. The Senior Choir has performed at Harrow Arts Centre and attended performance events at major London venues, with opportunities for instrumental performance such as String Festival events for Years 5 and 6.

Wraparound provision itself has an activities spine rather than simple supervision. Breakfast club includes structured activities and the after-school club includes art and craft, cooking, sport, science and ICT, with prayer and reading built into the routine.

The school day includes a soft start from 8.40am to 8.50am, with registration at 8.50am. End times vary slightly by phase, with Reception and Years 1 to 2 typically ending at 3.20pm, and Years 3 to 6 ending at 3.25pm.

Breakfast club runs from 7.30am to 8.40am, and after-school club runs from 3.20pm to 5.55pm, both open to Reception through Year 6. The school also states it runs a holiday club, which is useful for working families planning wraparound coverage through school breaks.

For travel, Pinner is served by the Metropolitan line, and many families will combine walking, bus routes, and the Tube depending on where they live within Harrow and nearby areas.

• High competition for Reception places. Demand materially exceeds supply in the latest admissions dataset, so families should plan on realistic alternatives as well as a first choice.

• Faith-based admissions expectations. Applicants are directed to submit a Supplementary Information Form, and faith evidence can affect priority, which may not suit every family.

• Large school feel. Three-form entry brings breadth, but it can feel busy compared with smaller primaries, especially at pick-up and during whole-school events.

• Wraparound costs and capacity. Breakfast and after-school provision is clearly structured, but families should confirm availability and costs early, particularly if relying on regular places.

This is a high-performing Catholic primary with a strong blend of academic structure, explicit character education, and leadership opportunities for pupils. The curriculum focus on reading, spoken language, and carefully sequenced knowledge shows up in outcomes that sit well above England averages.

Best suited to families who want a faith-centred education, value strong academic standards, and are comfortable engaging with a competitive admissions process. The limiting factor is admission rather than educational quality.