Pakeman Primary School Review 2026: Award-Winning Community School in Holloway

Pakeman Primary School, a one-and-a-half form entry community primary serving ages 2 to 11 in Holloway, Islington, earned National Primary School of the Year status in the 2013 Pupil Premium Awards for its outstanding work with disadvantaged pupils. The school has built its reputation on high expectations and inclusive values, exemplified by its motto "Be the best you can be." Operating from Hornsey Road since 1987, Pakeman welcomes around 327 pupils into a nurturing environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and every child is encouraged to value their own background. With 45 Reception places each year, the school is oversubscribed, attracting nearly twice as many applicants as places available. Leadership under headteacher Miss Emma Bonnin and a team committed to early language development has maintained the school's Good Ofsted rating, most recently confirmed in January 2022.

Pakeman Primary School's ethos revolves around fostering personal excellence and celebrating diversity. The school actively encourages pupils to respect different cultures while valuing their own heritage, creating an inclusive atmosphere where every child feels supported. Staff work closely with families to ensure continuity of care and communication, reinforcing the sense of community that underpins daily life at the school.

The school has served the Holloway area since 1987, though historical records suggest an educational presence on or near the site dating back to the 1950s. Memories from former students describe an ordinary school in a relatively disadvantaged area that consistently punched above its weight thanks to dedicated teaching staff. This tradition continues today, with the school winning national recognition in 2013 for using its Pupil Premium funding to drive exceptional progress among disadvantaged children—particularly through intensive one-to-one reading support and targeted teaching interventions.

The school's commitment to health and wellbeing is evident in its Healthy Schools London Bronze award, first achieved in 2013 and renewed since. Pakeman also offers free adult fitness classes to parents and local residents, further embedding itself within the community it serves.

Pakeman Primary School's most recent results show 73% of Year 6 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, exceeding the national average of 62%. High attainment is notable, with 22% of pupils achieving the higher standard across all three subjects, significantly outperforming the national average of 8%. In reading, 73% met expectations with 33% achieving high scores. In maths, 77% reached the expected standard and 30% achieved high scores. Grammar, punctuation and spelling saw particularly strong outcomes, with 67% meeting expectations and 40% achieving high scores.

The school's scaled scores reflect consistent performance, with average scores of 104 in reading, 105 in maths and 105 in grammar. These results position Pakeman in line with national averages nationally, and rank it 27th among Islington primaries. While science attainment sits at 67%—below the national expected standard of 82%—and writing depth scores remain modest, the school's overall academic profile demonstrates solid progress and ambitious expectations for all learners.

Ofsted's January 2022 inspection praised the school's broad and ambitious curriculum, delivered with high expectations for every child. Inspectors noted that pupils understand what is expected of them, work well together, and show positive attitudes to learning. Behaviour is high, with pupils responding promptly to instructions and demonstrating respect for one another. Bullying is rare, and staff respond quickly to any concerns, maintaining a safe and orderly environment.

Pakeman's leadership demonstrates particular ambition in promoting language and vocabulary development from the earliest years. This focus benefits all pupils, including those entering school with gaps in their English proficiency. Daily reading sessions, alongside a structured phonics programme beginning in early years, foster a genuine love of reading across the school.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities has improved significantly. Teaching assistants provide effective support, enabling pupils with SEND to make good progress alongside their peers. The school's inclusive approach ensures that additional needs are identified early and addressed through targeted intervention.

Pakeman Primary School offers a rich extracurricular programme designed to support pupils' personal development and physical wellbeing. The school believes physical education plays a vital role in developing healthy, confident and active learners, using the Beyond the Physical scheme to build skills, knowledge and a mindset for lifelong participation in sport. Extracurricular sports clubs include football, yoga and multi-sports, with opportunities for pupils to represent the school in Islington inter-school competitions. Specialist coaches and outside agencies provide workshops and skill-based training in cricket, tennis and disability sports, enriching the PE curriculum with expert input.

Beyond sports, pupils can engage in art projects, gardening clubs and music initiatives. The school's wide range of visits, clubs and activities are popular and well attended, according to Ofsted. During summer holidays, Pakeman runs multi-sport camps, tennis, basketball sessions and other activities designed to develop coordination and confidence for children aged 3 to 16, ensuring that opportunities extend beyond term time.

Wraparound care includes a breakfast club from 8am and an after-school club running until 5.55pm, supporting working families. The school operates a soft start at 8.45am with registration at 9am, and finishes at 3.30pm, providing structured routines that balance learning and enrichment.

All children who attend as two-year-olds are guaranteed a part-time place in the nursery from the term after their third birthday, offering continuity for the youngest learners and their families.

Pakeman Primary School is a community school managed by Islington Local Authority, which sets the admissions criteria and processes applications. With 45 Reception places available each year and total capacity for 349 pupils across Reception to Year 6, the school is consistently oversubscribed. The most recent admissions data shows 84 applications for 45 places, resulting in oversubscription of 1.87 times and all first-preference applicants receiving offers. This reflects the school's popularity among local families and strong demand for places.

Applications for Reception entry must be made through Islington Council's coordinated admissions process, available online at www.islington.gov.uk/admissions or by calling 020 7527 5515. Families can also email admissions@islington.gov.uk with queries. Parents are advised to check the council's determined admission arrangements and cut-off distance maps for the relevant admissions year, as distance is a key criterion when the school is oversubscribed.

It is important to note that attending Pakeman's two-year-old provision or nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. All families must apply separately through the local authority process. For specific advice on catchment boundaries or admissions priorities, contact the school directly on 020 7607 2575 or email admin@pakeman.islington.sch.uk.

Pakeman Primary School represents strong value within Islington's competitive primary landscape. Its above-average academic results, inclusive ethos and historic success with disadvantaged pupils make it a compelling choice for families seeking a nurturing, ambitious community school in Holloway. The school's Good Ofsted rating reflects consistent quality in teaching, behaviour and leadership, while national recognition for its Pupil Premium work signals a track record of raising attainment where it matters most.

The school's emphasis on language development, structured phonics and reading for pleasure provides a solid foundation for literacy. Improved SEND support ensures that pupils with additional needs are well catered for, and the broad extracurricular offer—from specialist sports coaching to arts and gardening clubs—enriches the curriculum beyond the classroom. Wraparound care and holiday programmes add practical support for working families.

With oversubscription at nearly double the available places, Pakeman's popularity is clear. Families considering the school should engage early with Islington's admissions process, check distance criteria carefully, and attend open days to experience the school's welcoming, diverse atmosphere firsthand. For local families seeking a school that combines strong academic outcomes with genuine community warmth, Pakeman Primary School delivers on both fronts.

Is Pakeman Primary School a good school?

Yes. Pakeman Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted following its most recent inspection in January 2022. The school achieves above-average results in reading, writing and maths, with 73% of pupils reaching the expected standard compared to the national average of 62%. It was also named National Primary School of the Year in the 2013 Pupil Premium Awards for its outstanding work with disadvantaged pupils.

How do I apply to Pakeman Primary School?

Applications for Reception entry are managed by Islington Council through the coordinated admissions process. You can apply online at www.islington.gov.uk/admissions or call the Admissions Team on 020 7527 5515. Applications typically open in the autumn term for the following September entry. Distance is a key criterion when the school is oversubscribed, so check the local authority's determined admission arrangements and cut-off maps for your admissions year.

What are the school hours at Pakeman Primary School?

The school day runs from 8.45am (soft start) with registration at 9am, finishing at 3.30pm. A breakfast club is available from 8am, and an after-school club runs until 5.55pm, offering wraparound care for working families.

Does Pakeman Primary School have a nursery?

Yes. Pakeman offers nursery provision for children from the age of 2. All children attending as two-year-olds are guaranteed a part-time nursery place from the term after their third birthday. However, nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place; families must apply separately through the local authority admissions process.

What extracurricular activities does Pakeman Primary School offer?

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs including football, yoga, multi-sports, art projects, gardening and music initiatives. Pupils can participate in Islington inter-school sports competitions and benefit from specialist coaching in cricket, tennis and disability sports. Holiday programmes during the summer include multi-sport camps, tennis and basketball for children aged 3 to 16.