Bousfield Primary School Review 2026: Elite Results in South Kensington

On a quiet residential street in South Kensington, where white stucco terraces command eight-figure prices and museum visits count as weekend entertainment, Bousfield Primary has served local families since 1955. The 2024 results place it 41st among all primaries in England, ranking in the elite tier (top 2%). For families who secure a place, the combination of academic rigour and genuine community atmosphere makes this among the capital's most sought-after state primaries.

The Victorian and Edwardian mansions surrounding the school set expectations. This is prosperous London, where parents hold professional degrees and children hear multiple languages at home. The school embraces this cultural richness without becoming defined by it.

At drop-off, the gates reveal the organised energy that marks strong urban primaries. Children arrive confidently, many walking from nearby streets with parents or carers. The single-form entry means approximately 30 children per year group, creating an intimate scale where staff know every child and family.

Mr Jon Lishman has led the school since 2019, arriving from a deputy headship in Westminster. Under his leadership, the school secured Good in its 2023 Ofsted inspection, with inspectors highlighting the ambitious curriculum and strong subject leadership. Staff turnover is remarkably low for inner London, and the teaching team combines experience with specialist expertise.

The school's values centre on Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience. These appear throughout the building and in daily routines. Behaviour is calm and purposeful, with children moving between lessons independently and confidently.

The 2024 Key Stage 2 results demonstrate exceptional performance. 92% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 52% achieved greater depth across all three subjects, compared to the England average of 8%.

Reading scaled score averaged 110 (England average: 100), with 94% reaching expected standard and 54% achieving high scores. Mathematics performance was particularly strong, with an average scaled score of 112 and 67% achieving high scores. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling reached an average scaled score of 116, with 79% achieving high scores.

Bousfield ranks 41st in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it among the highest-performing primaries in the country (top 2%). Among the 20 primaries in Kensington and Chelsea, it ranks 3rd.

Science results matched the academic strength, with 90% reaching expected standards compared to the England average of 82%.

The curriculum follows the National Curriculum with notable enrichment. French begins in Reception, taught by a specialist teacher who visits weekly. Setting in mathematics starts in Year 4, allowing children to work at appropriate challenge levels. Year 6 pupils receive additional morning sessions in spring term to consolidate learning before assessments.

Teaching quality is strong across year groups. Teachers have secure subject knowledge and explain concepts clearly, building on prior learning systematically. Lessons move at pace, with high expectations for all pupils. The small cohort size allows teachers to know each child's strengths and gaps intimately.

Phonics teaching follows a structured synthetic approach from Reception. Reading for pleasure is prioritised, with a well-stocked library and daily story time continuing through Key Stage 2. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their current books and recommend titles to each other.

The creative curriculum integrates history, geography, art, and design technology through half-termly topics. Recent themes have included Ancient Egypt, the Great Fire of London, and local history exploring the museums and institutions of South Kensington.

Each class has a dedicated teacher and teaching assistant, providing consistent relationships throughout the year. The Inclusion Manager coordinates support for approximately 40 pupils on the SEN register, working closely with external specialists where needed.

Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. The school uses a restorative approach when conflicts arise, helping children understand the impact of their actions and repair relationships. Exclusions are exceptionally rare.

Lunchtime and playground supervision is strong, with trained staff facilitating games and managing social dynamics. Peer mediators from Year 6 support younger children in resolving minor disputes.

A school counsellor visits weekly, offering short-term support for children experiencing anxiety, friendship difficulties, or family changes. The school works closely with local authority services when more intensive support is needed.

The extracurricular programme runs Monday to Thursday after school, with clubs changing each half term. Current offerings include football, netball, dance, chess, computing, art, choir, and gardening. Clubs are popular and fill quickly at the start of each term.

Music provision extends beyond the curriculum. All Year 4 pupils learn recorder; those showing aptitude can progress to other instruments through peripatetic teaching. The school choir performs at local events and the annual winter concert at a nearby church.

Annual highlights include a Year 6 residential to the Isle of Wight, whole-school productions at Christmas and summer, and Sports Day held at a local sports ground. Educational visits make full use of the South Kensington location, with regular trips to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum.

The school participates in competitive sport through the Kensington and Chelsea Schools Sports Partnership, with particular strength in athletics and cross-country running.

Admissions are coordinated by Kensington and Chelsea Council. Applications for Reception entry must be submitted by 15 January for September entry. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 231 applications for 60 places in 2024, representing a subscription ratio of 3.85 applications per place.

After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated strictly by distance from the school gate. The school does not operate a formal catchment boundary.

Admission to the nursery, which admits 26 children at age 3, does not guarantee progression to Reception. Nursery families must apply through the standard coordinated admissions process and meet the same distance criteria as external applicants.

Competition for places reflects both the school's academic strength and the density of families in South Kensington. Proximity to the school provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify current admissions patterns with the local authority before assuming a place will be available.

The nursery admits children from age 3, offering morning and afternoon sessions during term time. The setting is located on the school site, sharing outdoor space and some facilities with the main school. Nursery staff work closely with Reception teachers to ensure smooth transition.

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum balances adult-led learning with child-initiated play. Phonics teaching begins in nursery, alongside number work and physical development. The outdoor area includes climbing equipment, a sand pit, and space for running games.

For nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours (15 or 30 hours) are available for eligible families. See our guide to nursery funding for details on eligibility and how to claim.

The majority of Year 6 leavers progress to Holland Park School, the nearest non-selective secondary. A significant number secure places at selective state schools, including Lady Margaret School, the London Oratory School, and the Latymer School. In 2024, approximately 12 pupils secured grammar or selective independent school places.

The school provides familiarisation with entrance test formats but emphasises this is not intensive preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange private tutoring externally. The culture around selective secondary entry is pragmatic rather than pressured, with families making individual decisions about whether to pursue this route.

Transition support is strong. Year 6 teachers work closely with receiving secondaries, and pupils visit their new schools during the summer term. The small year group means each child's transition is individually planned.

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:30pm. Breakfast club operates from 8:00am in the school hall, offering a light breakfast and supervised activities. After-school club runs until 6:00pm, providing snacks and play opportunities. Both wraparound provisions are managed by the school and are typically oversubscribed.

The school is located on South Bolton Gardens, a quiet residential street between Old Brompton Road and Fulham Road. The nearest Underground stations are South Kensington (District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines) and Gloucester Road (District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines), both within a ten-minute walk. Several bus routes serve the area, including the 14, 49, 345, and C1.

On-street parking is restricted to residents with permits. Most families walk to school from nearby streets. Cycle storage is available for pupils and parents.

Extremely tight catchment. With 231 applications for 60 places in 2024, proximity to the school gate determines admission. Only families living very close can realistically expect to secure a place. The distance criterion varies annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify current admission patterns with Kensington and Chelsea Council before relying on a place here.

High-performing peer group. Results this strong reflect both excellent teaching and a cohort that arrives academically prepared. Children who find learning more challenging may feel pressure to keep pace, though the school's inclusive ethos works to support all pupils.

Nursery does not guarantee Reception entry. Parents sometimes assume nursery attendance secures a Reception place. It does not. Nursery families must apply through the standard coordinated process and meet the same distance criteria as external applicants.

Limited outdoor space. Urban primaries inevitably compromise on space. The playground is modest, and there are no playing fields on site. Sport and physical education use local parks and sports facilities, which works well but means children spend less time outdoors than at schools with extensive grounds.

Bousfield combines elite academic performance with the warmth and community atmosphere of a village primary. Results place it among the highest-performing state primaries in England, yet the school avoids the hothouse intensity that sometimes accompanies such success. Teaching is rigorous without being joyless, expectations are high without being punishing, and the cultural richness of South Kensington is embraced without defining the school's identity.

Best suited to families living within the exceptionally tight catchment who value academic excellence delivered in an intimate, nurturing environment. The school works for children who thrive on challenge and benefit from being surrounded by engaged, curious peers. The main obstacle is securing a place. For families who succeed, the education on offer matches the best London primaries.