St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School Review 2026: A Nurturing Church School in Islington with Above-Average Results

St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School is a small, one-form-entry voluntary aided Church of England primary in Upper Holloway, serving 230 pupils aged 2 to 11 in the Islington community. Founded on the Christian principle "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12), the school has cultivated a reputation as a caring, inclusive environment where children of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed. Most recent results show 88% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the 62% national average, placing the school above the national average and ranking 3,103rd in England out of over 15,000 primaries. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022, with inspectors noting strong curriculum design, enrichment opportunities, and pupils' sense of responsibility. Led by headteacher Mr Nick Turpin (in post since September 2022), St John's combines robust academic expectations with a values-driven ethos and a Bronze Healthy School Award.

St John's Upper Holloway operates under a clear Christian philosophy, aspiring to be "a high-achieving establishment providing outstanding educational experiences" while ensuring every child feels valued by God and the school community. The school's mission centres on supporting pupils to be "happy, successful and fulfilled throughout their lives," balancing academic rigour with pastoral care and moral development. Although Church of England in character, the school explicitly welcomes children and families of all faiths and none, and its community reflects the diversity of Upper Holloway and Islington at large.

The atmosphere is characterised by warmth and close relationships. Parents consistently report that the small size – typically one class per year group, averaging 27 pupils per class – enables staff to know each child individually. The school environment prioritises kindness, safety and wellbeing alongside achievement, and pupils are encouraged to take responsibility, for example by assisting younger peers during lunch or participating in after-school clubs that develop social skills. Recent enrichment activities include performance arts and visits from wildlife conservation speakers, demonstrating a curriculum designed to broaden horizons beyond the classroom.

Mr Nick Turpin joined as headteacher in September 2022, leading a school already on a stable trajectory. Governance rests with a board of governors typical of voluntary aided schools, who set admission requirements and work closely with the Diocese of London and Islington local authority. The school holds a Bronze Healthy School Award (valid October 2023 to October 2026) and achieved Gold accreditation for Travel for Life in 2024, reflecting its commitment to health, wellbeing and sustainable travel.

St John's Upper Holloway delivers academic outcomes that consistently exceed national benchmarks. In the latest available Key Stage 2 data, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to 62% nationally. Nearly 90% of pupils reached the expected standard across reading, writing, maths, grammar/punctuation/spelling and science, and 27% achieved the higher standard in all three core subjects (against an 8% national average). Performance in individual subjects is equally strong: 84% met expectations in reading, 92% in maths, and 96% in grammar/punctuation/spelling, with 40% achieving high scores in GPS. Average scaled scores in reading (106), maths (107) and GPS (108) all sit comfortably above the national standard of 100.

These results place St John's in the top fifth of state primaries nationally and 17th out of Islington's primaries. The school's percentile rank of approximately 20 indicates performance well above average, and the consistency across subjects suggests a balanced, well-implemented curriculum. Progress is supported by a carefully reviewed curriculum that aligns with national standards while promoting inclusivity, diversity, oracy development, and physical and mental health. Foundation subjects are taught thematically where appropriate, and Spanish and PSHE feature in the timetable alongside Christian social morality.

Class sizes average 27 pupils, allowing for manageable teacher workloads and reasonably personalised attention. The school offers inclusion support services, and the leadership team maintains high expectations for both academic achievement and behaviour. Pupils benefit from a well-structured learning environment where the curriculum is ambitious and accessible, and enrichment activities – including arts, sports, cookery and computing in the Buzz Club after-school provision – complement formal teaching.

St John's occupies a site in Pemberton Gardens, Upper Holloway, with a main hall and games room among its facilities. While the school is small and its buildings modest, the environment is well-maintained and conducive to learning. The Bronze Healthy School Award and Gold Travel for Life accreditation signal a focus on active lifestyles and sustainable habits.

Beyond the academic day, the school offers breakfast club from 8:00 to 8:50am, providing a healthy breakfast and a range of games and activities to ease pupils into the school day. The Buzz Club after-school provision runs until 6:00pm and offers arts, sports, cookery and computing, along with a warm snack. Occasional extra-curricular academic or hobby clubs add variety, and pupils have regular opportunities for performance arts and encounters with visiting speakers on topics such as wildlife conservation.

The school's small size fosters a close-knit community atmosphere. Pupils know one another across year groups, and older children are encouraged to support younger ones, building a sense of collective responsibility and care. The Christian ethos is visible but not exclusive; the school celebrates diversity and makes space for children of all backgrounds to thrive.

St John's Upper Holloway is a voluntary aided Church of England primary, meaning its governing body sets its own admission criteria, typically prioritising children with active church involvement before considering proximity and other factors. Families of all faiths and none are welcome, and the school community reflects the local area's diversity.

Reception intake is capped at 30 places, and the school is consistently oversubscribed. In the latest available admissions round, 54 families applied for 23 offers, yielding a subscription ratio of 2.35:1. All families who ranked St John's as their first preference and received an offer had indeed listed it first, indicating that the school fills its places with committed families and does not rely heavily on second or third preferences. Distance data is not published, but given the oversubscription and one-form-entry size, living very close to the school and meeting faith or sibling criteria are likely to be important.

Applications for Reception must be made through Islington Council's school admissions team (020 7527 5515), and families are strongly encouraged to visit the school before applying. The school offers a virtual tour on its website and invites parents to call the office to arrange an in-person visit. Crucially, attendance at the school's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; a formal application is required. As of November 2025, the school has also opened admissions for 2-year-olds and nursery placements.

Prospective families should review the school's admissions policy carefully, particularly the faith and church attendance requirements if applicable, and ensure they meet application deadlines set by Islington. Given the level of demand, early engagement and a school visit are advisable.

St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School offers a compelling combination of strong academic results, a values-driven Christian ethos, and a warm, inclusive community atmosphere. Parents seeking a small, caring school where children are known as individuals, and where outcomes significantly exceed national averages, will find much to appreciate here. The school's Good Ofsted rating, Bronze Healthy School Award, and Gold Travel for Life accreditation add further confidence, as does the consistency of performance across the curriculum.

The school is not selective, but its voluntary aided status and oversubscription mean that meeting admission criteria – likely involving faith commitment or very close proximity – is essential. Families comfortable with a Church of England environment that nonetheless welcomes diversity, and who value a nurturing, high-achieving primary setting in Islington, should place St John's Upper Holloway high on their shortlist. The modest facilities and single-form structure may not suit families seeking extensive campus resources or large peer cohorts, but for those prioritising pastoral care, academic strength and a close-knit community, St John's delivers admirably.

Is St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School a good school?

Yes. St John's Upper Holloway was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022, and its most recent Key Stage 2 results show 88% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the 62% national average. The school ranks in the top fifth of state primaries in England and 17th out of primaries in Islington. Parents report a caring, inclusive environment with high expectations for behaviour and achievement, and the school holds a Bronze Healthy School Award and Gold Travel for Life accreditation.

How do I apply to St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School?

Applications for Reception places must be made through Islington Council's school admissions team (020 7527 5515). The school is a voluntary aided Church of England primary, meaning the governing body sets its own admission criteria, which typically prioritise children with church involvement and siblings before considering proximity. Families of all faiths and none are welcome. The school encourages prospective parents to visit; call the school office on 020 7272 2780 to arrange an appointment or view the virtual tour on the school's website. Attending the school's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; a formal application is required.

What are the admission criteria for St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School?

As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St John's Upper Holloway sets its own admission criteria through its governing body, in consultation with the Diocese of London. Criteria typically include church attendance and active participation in a Christian faith community, followed by sibling links and distance from the school. The school welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds, and the community is diverse. Full details of the current admissions policy are available on the school's website and through Islington Council. Given oversubscription (54 applications for 23 offers in the latest round), families should review criteria carefully and apply early.

What is the catchment area for St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School?

St John's Upper Holloway does not publish a formal catchment area or last distance offered. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 54 applications competing for 23 Reception places in the latest round, and all successful applicants had listed it as their first preference. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, admission criteria emphasise faith commitment and sibling links before proximity. Families living in Upper Holloway, Islington, particularly those with active church involvement, are most likely to secure places, but exact distance thresholds vary year to year. Contact the school or Islington admissions for the most current information.

What are the school's results and performance?

St John's Upper Holloway achieves strong results. In the latest Key Stage 2 data, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined (vs 62% nationally), and 27% achieved the higher standard in all three subjects (vs 8% nationally). Average scaled scores are 106 in reading, 107 in maths and 108 in GPS, all above the national standard of 100. The school ranks 3,103rd out of over 15,000 state primaries in England (top 20%) and 17th in Islington. Nearly 90% of pupils reached expected standards across reading, writing, maths, GPS and science, and 96% met expectations in GPS alone. These outcomes are well above national averages and reflect a well-implemented, balanced curriculum.

What extracurricular activities and clubs does St John's Upper Holloway offer?

St John's Upper Holloway offers breakfast club from 8:00 to 8:50am, providing a healthy breakfast and games, and Buzz Club after-school provision running until 6:00pm with activities including arts, sports, cookery and computing, plus a warm snack. Occasional extra-curricular academic or hobby clubs supplement these core offerings. The curriculum also includes regular performance arts opportunities and visits from speakers on topics such as wildlife conservation. Older pupils are encouraged to assist younger peers during lunch, fostering social skills and a sense of responsibility. The school's Bronze Healthy School Award and Gold Travel for Life accreditation reflect its commitment to active, healthy lifestyles.