Hillingdon Primary School Review 2026: High-performing, oversubscribed, and structured for success

The day here runs on clear routines and high expectations, and that structure shows up in outcomes. The most recent inspection (29 February and 1 March 2024) rated Hillingdon Primary School Outstanding overall, with Early years provision graded Good.

Leadership is currently shared between Ms Sabrina Kelly and Ms Samina Saidiya, who were appointed as Co-Principals in January 2024. The school is part of The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust, and operates at a scale that feels closer to a small community than a single-form primary, with 695 pupils on roll referenced in the 2024 report.

Results place it comfortably above England averages at key stage 2, while admissions are the hard part. For families weighing it up alongside other local options, the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tool is the quickest way to see how its results sit next to nearby schools, using a like-for-like view.

This is a school that expects pupils to know what they are doing and why it matters. Routines are consistent, and behaviour is described as exemplary in the latest official assessment, with pupils responding well to clear expectations and reward structures. That creates a purposeful tone in classrooms and corridors, and it usually suits children who like clarity and momentum in the day.

The emotional side is not ignored. Pupils are taught to identify emotions and to treat setbacks as part of learning, rather than as failure, which helps explain why academic challenge can sit alongside confidence. Parents looking for a school that actively teaches personal development, rather than leaving it to chance, will recognise that approach.

There is also a strong thread of inclusion. The most recent report links high expectations explicitly to pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities, and describes careful adaptation of activities so children can follow the same broad curriculum as their peers. In a large primary, that combination of scale and individual attention is often what families notice first.

For key stage 2 outcomes, the headline is strong performance against England benchmarks.

• 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined in the most recent published results set, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 26% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores were 107 in reading and 106 in mathematics, with grammar, punctuation and spelling at 109.

These figures indicate a cohort that is doing well both at the expected standard and at the top end, not just one or the other.

On FindMySchool’s proprietary ranking (built from official data), Hillingdon Primary School is ranked 2,813th in England for primary outcomes and 18th in Hillingdon. This places it above England average, within the top 25% of schools in England (25th percentile boundary sits above this; it is within the top quarter).

This is not a school whose results rely on a narrow slice of pupils. The higher-standard figure, in particular, suggests a meaningful proportion of pupils are being stretched beyond the basics, which matters for children who learn quickly and can become disengaged if work is too repetitive.

Curriculum strength here is about sequencing and follow-through. The latest inspection describes a broad, ambitious curriculum that is well planned so pupils build knowledge as they move through the school. Mathematics is highlighted for increasingly complex problem-solving as pupils get older, and science for practical activities that keep pupils engaged.

Reading is positioned as a core priority. Phonics starts in Reception, staff training is emphasised, and pupils who need to catch up receive swift support. For parents, the implication is straightforward: if your child needs a systematic approach to early reading, this is the kind of school where that tends to be tightly managed rather than left to individual variation.

Early years is a slightly different picture. Provision is graded Good, with a welcoming and stimulating environment described, but the report also flags that some children sometimes need more support to regulate emotions in early years. That is a useful detail for nursery and Reception families. If your child finds transitions hard, you will want to understand how staff support regulation, routines, and settling in, because that is where the school is candid that it can still improve consistency.

As a primary school, the main transition point is Year 6 to Year 7. The school’s emphasis on high expectations and well-established learning routines tends to prepare pupils well for the step up to secondary, especially where secondary schools expect independence, sustained attention, and confident reading.

Parents should still do the practical local work. Secondary destinations vary by catchment, sibling priority, and transport, and this can shift year to year. When shortlisting, it is worth mapping likely secondary options alongside commute time, because the daily routine becomes a bigger factor once children are travelling further. If you are comparing multiple primaries with an eye on secondary pathways, the FindMySchoolMap Search is helpful for visualising how distance rules can shape real options.

Admission for Reception is coordinated through the London Borough of Hillingdon. For September 2026 entry, the council deadline is Thursday 15 January 2026, which is also restated on the school’s Reception 2026 admissions information page.

Demand is high. In the most recent admissions dataset provided, there were 403 applications for 89 offers, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed, at 4.53 applications per place. This is a level of competition where being nearby often matters.

Distance data reinforces that point. In 2024, the last distance offered was 0.703 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Open events and tours exist, but timings can be seasonal and booking matters. The school notes that open days are popular and can fill up, and it has previously run open day patterns in the autumn months for Reception entry, with booking required.

Nursery provision and entry

Nursery places are typically offered from the September after a child’s third birthday, subject to availability. Full-time nursery is linked to eligibility for the government’s 30 hours childcare entitlement, with part-time sessions running morning or afternoon.

For nursery fee details, families should use the school’s official information, and check eligibility for funded hours via official government childcare guidance.

Pastoral systems are supported by the school’s emphasis on safety, routines, and adult-pupil trust. Pupils report feeling safe, and bullying is described as not tolerated, with staff addressing issues quickly and fairly. The safeguarding line is explicit in the inspection report: the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Attendance and punctuality are taken seriously, with systems designed to spot patterns early and work with families and agencies where needed. In practice, this often means the school will feel organised rather than relaxed about boundaries. For many families, that is reassuring.

Extracurricular life is not treated as an optional extra. Pupils are given responsibilities, including roles such as sports leaders and digital ambassadors, which builds confidence and makes leadership practical rather than symbolic.

The school also publishes a clear list of clubs available in the current term. Examples include:

• Chess (Years 1 to 6)

• French (Years 3 to 6)

• Homework Club (Years 3 to 6)

• Music Club and Singing (Years 2 to 6)

• Ukulele (Years 2 to 6)

• Tennis (Years 1 to 6)

For pupils who enjoy performing arts, the school has a track record of taking part in larger-scale initiatives such as Rock Challenge, which historically involved large pupil participation and a themed performance. The point for parents is less about the event itself and more about what it signals: staff are willing to run projects that require rehearsal discipline, teamwork, and stage confidence.

School hours are clearly stated. For Reception to Year 6, the day runs 8.45am to 3.15pm. Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am.

After school, there are multiple options. The school runs a 4:15 club on weekdays at £4.50 per session, and an additional after-school childcare club operates until 6pm.

On travel, the school encourages walking where possible, but also states it cannot provide parking facilities for parents and carers, and notes local parking restrictions near the start and end of the day. This is worth taking seriously if you are planning regular drop-off by car, because it can affect both stress levels and punctuality.

• Competition for places is real. The school is oversubscribed, with multiple applications per place in the latest data. If you are relying on a single preference, have a realistic Plan B.

• Distance matters for admission. In 2024, the last distance offered was 0.703 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

• Early years is Good, not Outstanding. Reception and nursery children are described as having a welcoming environment, but the report also notes that some children sometimes need more support regulating emotions in early years. Families with a child who finds transitions hard should ask detailed questions about settling routines and support strategies.

• Drop-off logistics can be tricky. The school notes it cannot provide parent parking and highlights local restrictions. If you will be driving daily, plan your routine carefully.

Hillingdon Primary School combines strong key stage 2 outcomes with a highly structured approach to routines, reading, and personal development, and it is operating at a scale that allows for breadth of clubs and responsibility roles. It suits families who want clear expectations, above-average academic results, and wraparound options that support working schedules. The biggest barrier is admission, and it is best approached with a careful distance check and a robust set of alternative preferences.