Grafton Primary School Review 2026: Creative Excellence in Holloway

Grafton Primary School in Holloway serves its diverse community in Islington with a distinctive emphasis on creative learning. Ranked in the top 9% nationally for primary attainment and 12th in Islington, this two-form state primary educates 420 pupils aged 2 to 11. The school's Ofsted rating of Good (November 2023) masks a more nuanced profile: behaviour, personal development, and leadership all earned Outstanding grades. At its core lies a commitment that all children study at least one topic through a creative approach annually, supported by partnerships with Restore the Music and Music Education Islington. Admission is highly competitive, with a catchment distance of 0.522 miles in 2025 and applications nearly three times exceeding available Reception places.

Under the leadership of headteacher Andrew Turnock, Grafton Primary approaches education with what it describes as pride and passion for its diverse Holloway community. The creative curriculum is not window-dressing but a structural commitment: every child engages with at least one topic area through creative methods over the academic year. Performing arts, in particular, are embedded across the curriculum, with the school viewing theatre, music, and drama as vehicles to express ideas and consolidate learning across all subjects.

The school has sustained its Cognitive Acceleration programme (Let's Think!) for 15 years, deploying it from Reception through Year 6. This research-backed thinking skills initiative reflects Grafton's willingness to invest in approaches that develop children's reasoning capacities rather than merely delivering content. Partnerships with other Islington primaries, including St Peter's and South Harringay Junior, enrich foundation subjects through shared curriculum development.

Recognition spans multiple domains: Grafton holds the ICT Mark, Investors in People accreditation, Healthy Schools status, and participates in the Guardian Foundation NewsWise programme. An active Grafton School Association facilitates parental involvement, and the school runs parent classes to support families in engaging with their children's learning.

Grafton Primary achieves results well above national averages. In the most recent results, 79% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%. More striking is performance at higher standards: 37% achieved the high standard across all three subjects, more than four times the national average of 8%.

Individual subject outcomes reveal consistent strength. In reading, 79% met the expected standard (average scaled score 108), with 39% achieving the higher score. In maths, 75% reached the expected level (average scaled score 107), while 52% attained the higher score, substantially exceeding national norms. Grammar, punctuation and spelling proved a particular strength: 89% met the expected standard (average scaled score 111), and 57% achieved the higher score. In writing, 21% demonstrated greater depth.

Science results matched the national expected standard rate of 82%, while the combined reading, writing, maths, GPS and science metric reached 81%. The total score across reading, GPS and maths was 326, contributing to Grafton's ranking as 1,347th in England and placing it in the top decile nationally.

All children receive specialist music teaching, learning to compose, perform, and read staff notation using drums, glockenspiels, and xylophones. Singing assemblies, a choir, and an orchestra provide performance opportunities. Theatre trips and whole-school performances are curriculum fixtures. Art, design technology, drama, and dance integrate into other subjects, supported by extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.

An Extended Day programme offers wraparound care. Provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities operates alongside support for More Able and Talented learners, though specific details of interventions were not publicly detailed.

Grafton Primary is a community school; admissions are managed by Islington Council. For Reception entry in September 2025, the school offered 60 places but received 176 applications, creating a subscription ratio of 2.93 to 1. The furthest distance offered was 0.522 miles, a tight catchment reflecting the school's popularity and Islington's population density.

Applications are handled through Islington's coordinated admissions process. The local authority applies its determined criteria for community schools, typically prioritising children in care, those with exceptional medical or social needs, siblings, and then distance. Cut-off distances fluctuate annually depending on application patterns; families should view the 0.522-mile figure as indicative rather than guaranteed.

School tours are offered at 9.45am every Wednesday; parents should contact the school office to book. The admissions team at Islington Council (020 7527 5515, www.islington.gov.uk/admissions) handles applications. Grafton operates a nursery class, offering an entry point from age 2. School hours run from 9.00am to 3.30pm, with a breakfast club available.

Grafton Primary School exemplifies what a well-led community primary can achieve in an urban setting without selection or fees. Its attainment places it among the top 10% of schools nationally, yet its real distinction lies in how it reaches those outcomes: through sustained investment in creative pedagogy, thinking skills programmes, and partnerships that broaden rather than narrow the curriculum.

The November 2023 Ofsted inspection captured this balance, awarding Outstanding for behaviour, personal development, and leadership while rating the quality of education as Good. For families within the tight catchment, Grafton offers a rare combination of strong academic results, creative breadth, and a values-driven ethos. The oversubscription ratio and shrinking catchment reflect the reality that places here are sought after.

Prospective parents should approach with realistic expectations about catchment: at 0.522 miles, admission is feasible only for those living very close to the Eburne Road site. Families who secure a place will find a school that balances rigour with creativity, delivers outcomes well above national norms, and maintains an Outstanding culture for behaviour and personal development. It is a strong exemplar of what state primary education in inner London can deliver when leadership, pedagogy, and community align.

Is Grafton Primary School a good school?

Grafton Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2023), with Outstanding grades for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. It ranks in the top 9% of primary schools nationally for attainment, with 79% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally. Results at higher standards are particularly strong, with 37% achieving the high standard across core subjects versus a national average of 8%.

How do I apply to Grafton Primary School?

Applications are managed by Islington Council through the coordinated admissions process. Apply online at www.islington.gov.uk/admissions or contact School Admissions at Upper Street, London, N1 1XR (020 7527 5515). The school offers tours at 9.45am every Wednesday; contact the school office (020 7272 3284) to book. Application deadlines follow the national timetable, typically mid-January for Reception entry the following September.

What is the catchment area for Grafton Primary School?

For September 2025 entry, the furthest distance offered was 0.522 miles. This tight catchment reflects high demand: the school received 176 applications for 60 Reception places, a subscription ratio of 2.93 to 1. Catchment distances vary year to year depending on application patterns; families should treat the published distance as a guide rather than a guarantee.

What makes Grafton Primary School unique?

Grafton embeds a creative approach across its curriculum, ensuring every child studies at least one topic through creative methods annually. The school has run the Cognitive Acceleration (Let's Think!) thinking skills programme for 15 years, from Reception to Year 6. All pupils receive specialist music teaching, and partnerships with Restore the Music and Music Education Islington enrich provision. Theatre trips, whole-school performances, singing assemblies, and a school choir and orchestra are curriculum fixtures.

What are the school's strengths and weaknesses according to Ofsted?

The November 2023 Ofsted inspection rated the quality of education as Good, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all received Outstanding grades. Early years provision was rated Good. The school demonstrates particular strength in pupil conduct, leadership effectiveness, and personal development opportunities, with solid academic outcomes across the curriculum.

Does Grafton Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Grafton Primary operates a nursery class, admitting children from age 2. This provides an early entry point into the school community, though nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, which is subject to Islington Council's admissions criteria.