Belmont Primary School, London Review 2026: Academic Excellence in the Heart of Chiswick

The bells of this Victorian red-brick institution have marked the hours in Chiswick for more than a century. Belmont Primary ranks in the elite tier nationally, placing in the top 2% of schools in England for academic attainment. The school admits roughly 450 pupils across two-form entry, from nursery through Year 6, with pupil-teacher ratios of 24:1 and an exceptionally diverse cohort, with over 80% identifying as from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Mr Michael Venn-Coffey took the helm as Head Teacher from September 2025, continuing the school's legacy of high standards. The previous head, Elaine Lacey, led the school for many years and established the high-performing culture the school maintains today.

The school's motto, Inspire, Nurture, Flourish, encapsulates what parents and visitors consistently observe: a well-ordered community where children are genuinely at the centre of activity. The Victorian campus has undergone substantial refurbishment, creating safe and pleasant indoor and outdoor learning spaces. The three-storey building, with halls on each floor, provides flexibility for whole-school gatherings and specialist teaching.

The classroom environment promotes both independence and collaboration. Pupils move between teacher-led and self-initiated activities with visible confidence. Behaviour standards are maintained through clear expectations and genuine relationships rather than harsh discipline. The atmosphere feels calm and purposeful without being tense.

English as an additional language is supported through dedicated staff and targeted small-group work, yet the school has managed the integration seamlessly. Over 22% of the cohort speak a home language other than English, yet by Year 6, most are fluent in English literacy and numeracy.

Key Stage 2 (Reading, Writing, Mathematics)

In 2024, 95% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This compares sharply to the England average of 62%. The school's scaled scores were particularly strong in mathematics (average 112 against an England average of 101) and reading (average 111 against an England average of 100).

Belmont Primary ranks 106th out of 15,158 schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 2% nationally. Locally, within Hounslow, the school ranks 3rd among all primary schools. These rankings reflect sustained excellence rather than a single year of high performance; the school has maintained top-tier results across the past five years.

At the higher standard, 52% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, writing, and mathematics, markedly exceeding the England average of 8%. This indicates not just that pupils meet expectations, but that many are working well beyond age-related expectations.

Foundation Stage

The nursery provision is exceptional. Inspection evidence confirms that children in the nursery and early reception classes make excellent progress, with many exceeding early learning goals by the time they transition to formal Year 1 learning. The nursery teacher creates rich, multi-sensory environments that capture children's interests and encourage independent learning through carefully planned play-based activities.

Teaching quality is very good across the school. Lessons are carefully structured, with clear learning objectives and a strong emphasis on progressive skill development. Teachers demonstrate expert subject knowledge, particularly in English and mathematics, where the literacy hour and numeracy strategies have been embedded effectively.

Differentiation is evident across mixed-ability classes. Pupils with special educational needs receive systematic support through teaching assistants and specialist interventions, enabling them to make good progress in relation to their starting points. Similarly, more able pupils are regularly challenged with extension tasks and advanced work.

The curriculum is designed to promote high achievement for all. Beyond core subjects, pupils experience music, physical education, art, geography, history, religious education, and design and technology. An explicit focus on reading skills from early years, combined with daily reading sessions at home and school, ensures rapid literacy progress. By Year 6, most pupils read fluently and with expression, understanding complex texts.

The school offers an exceptional breadth of extracurricular provision, with approximately 350 club spaces available each week according to parent governor feedback. These clubs span sports, music, arts, languages, well-being, cookery, and crafts, with most running after school from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and some before school starts.

Music is a particular strength. The school has a chapel choir that performs regularly for assemblies and special performances. A school band includes string, woodwind, and brass sections, providing performance opportunities for developing musicians. Children can access group instrumental lessons in piano, guitar, trumpet, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. Musical evenings, where parents play alongside children, are highlighted as among the most valued whole-school events. Professional musicians visit regularly, and the school arranges visits to London concerts and the ballet whenever possible. By Year 6, pupils read music fluently and can create and notate their own compositions.

Sports provision is well-resourced despite the lack of a dedicated playing field. The school makes excellent use of three indoor halls and outdoor areas. A wide range of after-school activities includes football, netball, rugby, basketball, and cricket, often led by coaches from professional sports teams. Year 2 pupils recently demonstrated confident skipping techniques following a specialist workshop. Children are encouraged to walk to school, and the school recently received a Healthy Schools Award.

Drama and creative arts feature prominently. The school produces theatrical performances, with pupils tackling Shakespearean plays and musical productions that "raise the roof of the top hall" according to parent testimonials. Art and design work is displayed to a high standard throughout the building, with children engaging in painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, and printmaking under the guidance of visiting artists.

The school organises regular educational visits that are carefully mapped across year groups. Year 6 pupils undertake a residential trip, providing leadership experience and independent learning outside the school setting.

The majority of pupils progress to Chiswick School, the nearest non-selective secondary. However, roughly 30 to 40% secure places at academically selective schools, either independent or selective state grammar schools. In recent admission cycles, approximately 15 pupils per cohort have gained grammar school places.

The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questioning but does not offer intensive preparation. Many families arrange external tutoring if pursuing selective secondary schools. Transition arrangements for pupils moving to secondary school include formal liaison with secondary feeder schools and planned visits.

Belmont Primary is highly sought-after. For Reception admission, roughly 360 applications compete for 60 places, representing a subscription ratio of 6:1. The school is significantly oversubscribed. The last distance offered in 2024 was 0.376 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

After looked-after children and pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans, places are allocated strictly by distance from the school gates. There is no formal catchment boundary but rather a distance-based mechanism. Admission to the nursery is managed similarly, though with dedicated part-time and full-time places for children aged 3 to 4.

Open days are offered throughout the autumn term (October, November, December) and early spring (February). Parents should contact the school or visit the school website for specific 2026 open day dates and booking arrangements.

The school demonstrates strong commitment to pupil wellbeing. A buddy system operates during lunchtimes, with Key Stage 2 pupils supporting younger children in play. The school has formal policies for health, safety, and child protection that are properly maintained.

Staff know pupils well and respond quickly to concerns or worries. Those with special educational needs receive support from individual teaching assistants, and children report feeling able to approach staff with concerns. The school council, comprising pupils from across year groups, meets with the Head Teacher to discuss issues such as homework arrangements. Children feel genuinely valued.

A trained counsellor visits weekly to provide additional emotional support to pupils who need it. The school's approach to managing bullying is swift and effective.

School day: 8:50am to 3:20pm.

Breakfast club: 7:45am start. After-school club: until 6:00pm. Holiday club operates during main school holidays.

The school is located on Belmont Road, Chiswick, W4 5UL. The nearest railway stations are Gunnersbury (District Line, Piccadilly Line) approximately 1.5km away, and Chiswick Park Station (District Line) also nearby. The area is well-served by local bus routes. Street parking is available but limited, with many families choosing to walk or cycle given the school's proximity to residential streets.

Fierce oversubscription. With a 6:1 applications-to-places ratio, entry depends heavily on proximity. Families must live within 0.376 miles of the school gates. Those considering this school must check their exact postcode distance before making housing decisions.

Diverse and socially mobile cohort. While the school's strength lies in supporting pupils from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, the intake includes pupils across a spectrum of prior attainment. The majority arrive with above-average starting points, but the school's inclusive culture and targeted support mean all learners make good progress.

Grammar school culture. A significant minority of families pursue selective secondary entry. This creates an 11-plus culture wherein tutoring, coaching classes, and examination pressure are common. Families uncomfortable with this competitive atmosphere, or those uninterested in selective entry, may find the ethos does not align with their preferences.

Limited on-site facilities. The school has no dedicated playing field, relying instead on three indoor halls and external spaces. While managed well, this limits flexibility for PE and outdoor learning compared to schools with extensive grounds.

Belmont Primary School is an elite-tier state primary delivering consistently high academic standards, inclusive practice, and genuine community spirit. The school excels at supporting pupils across a wide spectrum of starting points, with particular strength in early literacy, numeracy, music, and pastoral care. Leadership is secure and ambitious. Teaching is very good, and the curriculum is rich and well-balanced.

This school suits families living within the tight catchment, who value academic rigour alongside genuine inclusivity, and who want their child to be known and supported individually within a vibrant, diverse learning community. The main obstacle is securing a place; the education, once entry is achieved, is exceptional.