Ashburnham Community School Review 2026: Outstanding Chelsea Primary with Fox Federation Partnership

Ashburnham Community School stands on historic ground, its site tracing back to Victorian terraced housing built after the closure of Cremorne Gardens, the renowned 19th-century pleasure grounds that once drew crowds for balloon ascents and riverside entertainment. Today, the school serves 220 pupils aged 3 to 11 in the heart of Chelsea, blending its heritage with modern educational excellence. A member of the Fox Federation since 2013, Ashburnham has transformed from a school requiring improvement into an Ofsted-rated Outstanding primary, delivering results that sit comfortably in line with national averages while maintaining a strong community ethos. With nursery provision, a comprehensive extracurricular programme, and leadership from Executive Headteacher Paul Cotter, this one-form-entry community school offers a distinctive mix of federation-wide curriculum expertise and local Chelsea identity.

Most recent primary results show 73% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, matching the national picture and reflecting steady academic progress. The school ranked 7,516th nationally out of approximately 15,000 primary schools and 23rd within Kensington and Chelsea. In Reception entry for 2024, the school received 44 applications for 30 places, resulting in oversubscription at a ratio of 1.47 to 1, with all first-preference applicants receiving offers.

Ashburnham Community School is a state-funded, non-denominational, mixed community primary located at 17 Blantyre Street, Chelsea, London SW10 0DT. The school serves children from age 3 (nursery) to 11 (Year 6) with a Published Admission Number of 30 for Reception.

Ashburnham's identity is rooted in partnership and place. Named after John Ashburnham, second Earl of Ashburnham, who acquired riverside land in 1767, the school's location carries echoes of Cremorne Gardens, a colourful Victorian entertainment venue that operated from 1845 to 1877 with restaurants, dancing and balloon ascents. After the Gardens closed, the area was redeveloped into low-rise Victorian terraced housing, and the original school opened in 1885 on Lots Road, near the famous Lots Road Power Station, which powered much of the London Underground until its decommissioning in 2002. The original buildings were demolished in 2009 to make way for Chelsea Academy, and Ashburnham relocated to its current site.

The school's modern transformation began in March 2013, when it entered a partnership with Fox Primary School, an Outstanding-rated flagship school in Kensington and Chelsea. Fox's experienced headteacher, Paul Cotter, became Executive Head of Ashburnham, and the collaboration drove rapid improvement. In 2015, the Fox Federation was formally established, linking Ashburnham with Fox and later expanding to include Avonmore in Hammersmith and Fulham (2019), and more recently Avondale Park School, St Anne's Nursery, and Park Walk School. Today, the Federation comprises five schools and one nursery, sharing curriculum expertise, training, recruitment and educational philosophy while each school maintains its own Head of School, budget and local identity under a single Governing Board and Executive Headteacher.

Ashburnham's stated ethos centres on collective effort: the school works together to enable all children to reach their full potential. Core values of respect, honesty, perseverance, kindness and collaboration underpin all activities, from academic work to community events. Staff and visitors describe a buzzing, hardworking atmosphere, with high expectations for both academic achievement and social behaviour. The school's commitment to enriching experiences is reflected in a programme of trips, workshops, community events and a wide range of clubs designed to ensure every child develops confidence and teamwork skills. Leadership opportunities are woven into school life, with pupils taking on roles as class monitors and members of the school council, and participating in community fundraising initiatives.

The current Head of School is Jonathan East, appointed in September 2024, working under the oversight of Executive Headteacher Paul Cotter. The Federation model provides Ashburnham with shared resources and curriculum design while preserving the school's Chelsea community identity.

Ashburnham's academic results place the school in line with national averages, a significant achievement for a community school serving a diverse Chelsea neighbourhood. In the most recent Year 6 assessments, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, comfortably above the England average of 62%. A further 21% achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, more than double the national rate of 8%. Individual subject performance was strong: 77% met the expected standard in reading, writing, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS), with maths and GPS showing particularly solid outcomes.

Scaled scores provide further context: reading averaged 103, maths 105, and GPS 107, all above the national baseline of 100. In high-attainment outcomes, 27% of pupils achieved high scores in maths, 36% in GPS and 18% in reading. While the science expected standard of 77% fell slightly below the national average of 82%, the overall picture is one of consistent academic delivery across the curriculum. Nationally, Ashburnham ranked 7,516th among primary schools, placing it around the midpoint of England's primaries. Within Kensington and Chelsea, the school ranked 23rd locally, reflecting the competitive nature of the borough's primary landscape.

The curriculum is designed to be engaging and exciting, with teachers developing strong subject expertise through the Fox Federation's shared training programmes, including CPD, Early Career Teacher support and Maths Hub collaboration. Precisely targeted teaching of small groups ensures pupils who fall behind make rapid progress, and staff relish the range of activities available to them. From Nursery, children begin with mark-making activities in art, progressing to detailed portraiture work by Year 6. The school emphasises the development of mathematical skills, and teachers use a variety of approaches to ensure pupils are challenged appropriately.

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive effective support. Ofsted inspectors noted that the school's work to keep pupils safe and secure is outstanding, and support for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is very effective. Children enjoy learning, and behaviour is consistently excellent. The school's approach to pastoral care is underpinned by strong relationships between staff, pupils and families, and the federation's collective expertise provides additional layers of support for curriculum design and pupil wellbeing.

Ashburnham offers a comprehensive programme of extracurricular enrichment designed to promote confidence, teamwork and enjoyment. The school runs breakfast club from 8am every morning, providing all children with a free, healthy, balanced breakfast. A free Rise and Shine exercise class, led by an experienced PE teacher, runs from 8:30 to 8:50 each morning, giving children the chance to exercise and have fun before the school day begins.

After-school clubs run every evening, with the school aiming to provide a range of fun and interesting activities for children of all ages. Sporting clubs are particularly popular and promote excellence: pupils participate in taekwondo, circus skills, fencing and table tennis. The school fields football, netball and table tennis teams, and participation is encouraged through a mix of free and paid clubs to ensure maximum uptake. Leadership roles extend beyond the classroom, with pupils serving as class monitors, members of the school council, and participants in community fundraising initiatives.

Arts provision is woven into the curriculum, with art activities progressing from early mark-making to complex portraiture. The school has used the nearby Chelsea Theatre, a contemporary performance space and community hub, for drama projects, offering pupils access to professional-standard facilities and enriching experiences. The school's programme of trips and workshops complements classroom learning, and community events are a regular feature of school life.

Facilities and resources are described by the school's leadership as first-class, with ongoing improvements to outdoor areas. The Fox Federation's shared model provides access to curriculum materials, training and expertise across all member schools, enriching the educational environment for Ashburnham's pupils. The school's location in Chelsea offers proximity to cultural and educational opportunities in central London, and the federation's partnerships extend the range of experiences available to children.

Ashburnham Community School is a state-funded community primary, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea serves as the admissions authority. Applications for Reception entry are managed through the local authority's coordinated admissions process. The application window for 2024-25 entry opened on 1 September 2023, closed on 15 January 2024, and offers were made on 16 April 2024.

For Reception entry in 2024, Ashburnham received 44 applications for 30 available places, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 1.47 to 1. Of these, 22 were first-preference applications, 1 was a second preference, and 5 were third preferences. All first-preference applicants received offers, indicating that the school's 30-place cohort was filled entirely by families who ranked Ashburnham as their top choice. The school was not oversubscribed in the strictest sense, as the number of first-preference applications did not exceed the number of places available.

Admissions criteria follow standard local authority guidelines. As an overriding priority, children in public care to the Royal Borough or those with a statement of special educational needs naming the school will be admitted first. Beyond these priority categories, the school uses distance-based criteria if oversubscribed. The cut-off admission distance varies year to year depending on sibling priority and the geographic distribution of applicants. For 2024 entry, distance was not a determining factor, as all eligible applicants received offers. Families considering Ashburnham should consult the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's annual determined admissions arrangements for the most current criteria and timelines.

Ashburnham Community Primary School is listed as a community feeder school for Chelsea Academy, the local secondary school, providing a clear pathway for Year 6 leavers within the borough. Nursery applications are managed separately; details are available on the school's website and through the local authority.

Given the school's location in Chelsea and its membership of the Fox Federation, competition for places may increase in future years, particularly if the Federation's profile continues to rise. Parents are advised to check the Royal Borough's published admissions data and visit the school to understand current demand and catchment patterns.

Ashburnham Community School offers a compelling proposition for Chelsea families seeking a community primary with a strong academic record, enriching extracurricular programme, and the backing of a high-performing federation. The school's transformation from requiring improvement in 2013 to achieving an Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2015 demonstrates leadership capacity and the benefits of collaborative partnership with Fox Primary. Academic results sit comfortably in line with or above national averages, with particularly strong outcomes in maths, GPS and higher-attainment measures, and the school's commitment to precise, targeted teaching ensures pupils who fall behind make rapid progress.

The Fox Federation model is a significant strength. Shared curriculum expertise, training, recruitment and educational philosophy provide Ashburnham with resources and support typically associated with larger institutions, while each school retains its own Head of School, budget and local identity. This balance of federation-wide excellence and community-focused delivery is rare and valuable. The school's ethos, grounded in respect, honesty, perseverance, kindness and collaboration, is reflected in excellent pupil behaviour, strong pastoral care and a buzzing, hardworking atmosphere. Enrichment opportunities, from free breakfast club and Rise and Shine exercise sessions to taekwondo, circus skills, fencing and table tennis, demonstrate the school's commitment to developing confident, well-rounded children.

Facilities are first-class and continually improving, and the school's location in Chelsea offers proximity to cultural and educational opportunities in central London. Leadership under Executive Headteacher Paul Cotter and Head of School Jonathan East provides stability and vision, with the Federation's shared governance model offering both accountability and support. Admissions data for 2024 suggest the school is accessible, with all first-preference applicants receiving offers, though future demand may rise as the Federation's reputation grows.

For families seeking a community primary with a strong academic foundation, a comprehensive enrichment programme, outstanding pastoral care, and the advantages of federation partnership, Ashburnham Community School represents an excellent choice. The school's historic roots, modern transformation, and commitment to enabling every child to reach their full potential make it a standout option in Chelsea's competitive primary landscape.

Is Ashburnham Community School a good school?

Yes, Ashburnham Community School is a good school. It holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating from its 2015 inspection, with leadership and management also rated Outstanding. Academic results are in line with or above national averages, with 73% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, comfortably above the England average of 62%. The school's membership of the Fox Federation provides access to shared curriculum expertise, training and resources, and pupils benefit from excellent behaviour, effective pastoral care and a comprehensive extracurricular programme. Ofsted inspectors noted that support for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is very effective, and the school's work to keep pupils safe and secure is outstanding.

How do I apply to Ashburnham Community School?

Applications for Reception entry at Ashburnham Community School are managed through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's coordinated admissions process. Parents should apply online via the local authority's admissions portal during the application window, which typically opens in early September and closes in mid-January for the following academic year. The school is its own admissions authority, but the Royal Borough coordinates the process. Nursery applications are managed separately; details are available on the school's website at ashburnhamcommunityschool.org.uk and through the local authority. Parents are advised to check the Royal Borough's annual determined admissions arrangements for current timelines, criteria and application procedures.

What are the admission criteria for Ashburnham Community School?

Ashburnham Community School uses the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's standard admissions criteria. As an overriding priority, children in public care to the Royal Borough or those with a statement of special educational needs naming the school will be admitted first. Beyond these categories, distance-based criteria apply if the school is oversubscribed. All first-preference applicants received offers for 2024 entry, so distance was not a determining factor. The cut-off admission distance varies year to year depending on sibling priority and the geographic distribution of applicants. Families should consult the Royal Borough's published admissions arrangements for the most current criteria and historical admission distances.

What extracurricular activities does Ashburnham Community School offer?

Ashburnham offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with clubs running every evening. Sporting clubs are particularly popular and include taekwondo, circus skills, fencing and table tennis. The school fields football, netball and table tennis teams. A free Rise and Shine exercise class, led by an experienced PE teacher, runs from 8:30 to 8:50 each morning, and breakfast club operates from 8am daily, providing all children with a free, healthy breakfast. Arts provision includes drama projects using the nearby Chelsea Theatre, and art activities progress from early mark-making to complex portraiture. Pupils also take on leadership roles as class monitors and members of the school council, and participate in community fundraising initiatives and a rich programme of trips and workshops.

What is the Fox Federation?

The Fox Federation is a partnership of five schools and one nursery in West London, formed in 2015 when Fox Primary joined with Ashburnham Community School in Chelsea. The Federation expanded in 2019 to include Avonmore in Hammersmith and Fulham, and more recently welcomed Avondale Park School, St Anne's Nursery and Park Walk School. The Federation shares curriculum expertise, training, recruitment and educational philosophy, providing member schools with access to resources and support while each school retains its own Head of School, budget and local identity. The Federation is overseen by a single Governing Board and Executive Headteacher Paul Cotter. This model allows Ashburnham to benefit from federation-wide excellence while preserving its Chelsea community character.