Oxford Gardens Primary School is a community primary in North Kensington that serves one of London's most diverse communities while maintaining a specialist ASD resource base for up to 16 pupils. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023, with Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development, the school anchors its work around the motto "Confident, Independent, Responsible, Innovative & Successful" and holds Gold Rights Respecting Schools status. With 241 pupils aged 3–11, a 16:1 pupil-teacher ratio, and nursery provision, Oxford Gardens blends mainstream education with tailored support for children on the autism spectrum. Academic results place the school broadly in line with national averages, with 69% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%. Located at Oxford Gardens, W10 6NF, the school serves a catchment marked by high demand: 76 families applied for 28 Reception places in the latest cycle, producing a subscription rate of 2.71 times capacity.
Oxford Gardens positions itself as a "unique learning community in the heart of North Kensington," and that description is more than rhetoric. The school's five-pillar ethos—Confident, Independent, Responsible, Innovative and Successful—frames its approach to educating children from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, including a significant population of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) heritage pupils. Since 2018, the school has employed a dedicated GRT Learning Mentor, a role funded partly by The Portal Trust, to improve attendance, engagement and attainment among children from traveller communities. This intervention has been transformative: GRT pupils, who once accounted for 86% of exclusions, now face zero exclusions, and persistent absenteeism has fallen sharply.
The school's Rights Respecting ethos, recognised by UNICEF at Gold level, permeates daily life. Pupils are encouraged to understand their rights and to advocate for issues that matter to them, fostering a culture of respect and active citizenship. The 2023 Ofsted report highlighted that "pupils behave exceptionally well and treat each other with respect and care," awarding Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes. Inspectors noted that the school sets high ambitions for all pupils and has created an environment where diversity is celebrated and every child is known.
Ms Lauren Potter joined as Interim Headteacher in January 2024, succeeding Sarah Cooper. Under her leadership, the school continues to prioritise inclusivity, high expectations and a rich, varied curriculum designed to enable every learner to achieve their aspirations.
Oxford Gardens delivers a curriculum that matches the breadth and ambition of the national curriculum, with creativity and innovation at its core. In the most recent Key Stage 2 results, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. The school's performance in individual subjects shows strong outcomes in reading (78% at expected, 20% at higher standard) and grammar, punctuation and spelling (80% at expected, 43% at higher standard), with mathematics slightly lower (65% at expected, 23% at higher standard). Science attainment is robust, with 88% reaching the expected standard against a national average of 82%. Overall, 19% of pupils achieved the higher standard in the combined reading, writing and maths measure, more than double the national figure of 8%.
These results place Oxford Gardens ranked 6,831st in England for primary performance and 22nd within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, broadly in the middle of the national distribution. The school's scaled scores reflect consistent teaching: 105 in reading, 103 in maths, and 108 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, all at or above national norms.
Pupils at the early stages of learning to read receive effective phonics teaching and targeted support. Staff are well trained to identify special educational needs quickly and adapt teaching accordingly. The school's specialist ASD resource base, with capacity for 16 pupils and currently supporting 12, provides dedicated provision for children on the autism spectrum, with trained staff delivering individualised programmes within an inclusive mainstream setting. Ofsted noted that pupils with SEND are well supported and that staff make appropriate adaptations to meet diverse needs.
The 2023 inspection identified some areas for refinement: subject leaders in the early years were not always precise about the knowledge children need to acquire, and published outcomes in mathematics for 2022 were weaker than in other areas. Leaders have responded with curriculum improvements and closer monitoring of progression across year groups.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
69.33%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Extracurricular life at Oxford Gardens is active and community-focused. Pupils participate in specialist-led sports sessions, earning points towards "golden time" at a local sports centre, and the school competes in inter-school tournaments. Music programmes include festivals and high-profile performances—pupils have sung at the Royal Albert Hall, a testament to the school's ambition for its learners. Learning mentors organise a range of activities, and pupils can join the school council and rights-respecting committee, giving them a voice in school life.
Wraparound care includes a breakfast club and after-school club for children aged 4–11, though there is no holiday provision. The school's nursery offers funded places for eligible children, providing an early start for families in the area.
The school operates on a North Kensington site, with classrooms, specialist spaces for the ASD unit, and outdoor areas. Facilities support a broad curriculum, and the school is accessible via local transport links, though parking in this densely populated part of London can be challenging.
Oxford Gardens operates a specialist ASD resource base with a capacity of 16 places and 12 pupils currently on roll. The unit is designed for children with Education, Health and Care Plans who have a primary need related to autism spectrum disorder. Pupils in the unit access tailored learning programmes delivered by trained staff, with opportunities for inclusion in mainstream classes where appropriate.
In the mainstream setting, the school's SEN support system is responsive and well-resourced. Teaching staff quickly identify pupils with additional needs and make adaptations to teaching. The school's SENCo oversees provision, and the Ofsted 2023 report confirmed that pupils with SEND receive effective support.
The school's inclusive ethos and specialist provision make it a strong option for families seeking mainstream education with robust SEN support or specialist ASD placements in North Kensington.
The March 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Oxford Gardens a Good overall rating, with Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. Inspectors praised the school's high ambitions, the exceptional behaviour and respect shown by pupils, and the effectiveness of SEN support. The Quality of Education, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision were all rated Good.
Ofsted noted that the curriculum is well-structured and that pupils engage positively with their learning. The school's Rights Respecting culture was highlighted as a strength, with pupils demonstrating understanding of their rights and responsibilities. Areas for development included clarifying knowledge expectations in the early years and continuing to strengthen outcomes in mathematics, where some weaknesses had been identified in 2022 results.
Parental feedback on Ofsted Parent View reflects confidence in the school's approach, with families valuing the inclusive environment and the school's responsiveness to individual needs.
Oxford Gardens is a community school maintained by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Admissions for Reception are coordinated by the local authority, and applications are typically submitted online between September and mid-January of the year before entry, with offers made in mid-April.
In the latest admissions cycle, the school received 76 applications for 28 Reception places, producing a subscription rate of 2.71—indicating strong demand in a competitive local market. All first-preference applicants who were offered places received them, but the high subscription rate means that families outside immediate priority groups face uncertain odds.
Admission priorities follow the local authority framework, typically including looked-after children, children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, siblings, and then distance from the school. The school does not publish a specific "last distance offered" figure, but given the subscription level and the density of North Kensington, families are advised to live within a very short walking distance to secure a place outside sibling or priority categories.
For the ASD resource base, admissions are managed separately via the local authority's SEN team. Pupils must have an EHCP specifying the unit, and places are allocated based on need and suitability, not proximity.
Parents should apply through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea portal and are encouraged to visit the school and confirm all details, including deadlines and criteria, on the school website or by contacting the School Administrator.
Applications
76
Total received
Places Offered
28
Subscription Rate
2.7x
Apps per place
Oxford Gardens Primary School is a genuinely inclusive, community-focused school that serves one of London's most diverse populations with energy, rigour and care. The combination of a Rights Respecting ethos, specialist ASD provision, and targeted support for GRT pupils reflects a school that takes its mission to heart: every child, regardless of background or need, is supported to be the very best they can be.
Academic results are solid and broadly in line with or above national averages, with particular strengths in reading, grammar and science. The Outstanding judgements for behaviour and personal development speak to a school culture where children feel safe, respected and empowered. The recent leadership transition under Ms Potter is a point to monitor, but the school's track record of improvement and stability suggests continuity of vision.
Demand is high—nearly three applications for every Reception place—and families should be realistic about catchment proximity. For those who secure a place, Oxford Gardens offers a nurturing, ambitious environment with strong SEN provision, active extracurricular opportunities, and a commitment to creativity and innovation. It is a school that reflects and celebrates the richness of North Kensington, and one that equips its pupils not just to succeed academically, but to contribute confidently and responsibly to the world beyond the school gates.
Yes. Oxford Gardens Primary School is rated Good by Ofsted (March 2023), with Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. The school delivers academic results above national averages in reading, writing and maths combined (69% vs 62% nationally), with particularly strong outcomes in reading and grammar. The inclusive ethos, specialist ASD provision, and Rights Respecting culture create a supportive environment where pupils behave exceptionally well and treat each other with respect.
Applications for Reception places are made through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea online portal. The application window typically opens in September and closes in mid-January of the year before entry, with offers made in mid-April. Admissions are coordinated by the local authority and follow priority criteria including looked-after children, children with EHCPs naming the school, siblings, and distance. The school received 76 applications for 28 places in the latest cycle (subscription rate 2.71), so living very close is usually essential. For specialist ASD unit places, contact the local authority SEN team. Confirm deadlines and criteria on the school website or by contacting the School Administrator.
Yes. Oxford Gardens Primary School offers nursery provision for 3-year-olds, with funded places available for eligible children. The nursery is part of the school's early years provision, which was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Contact the school for details on availability, sessions and funding eligibility.
Oxford Gardens Primary School does not publish a fixed catchment boundary. Admissions are prioritised by criteria including looked-after children, EHCPs, siblings, and then distance from the school. The high subscription rate (2.71 applications per place) and the density of North Kensington mean families typically need to live within a very short walking distance to secure a place outside priority groups. The local authority does not publish a "last distance offered" figure for this school. Families should check the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea admissions page for guidance and use online mapping tools to assess proximity.
Oxford Gardens Primary School operates a specialist ASD resource base with capacity for 16 pupils (currently 12 on roll), providing tailored support for children with Education, Health and Care Plans related to autism spectrum disorder. In the mainstream setting, the school supports a range of additional needs including speech and language difficulties, specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia), and social, emotional and mental health needs. Teaching staff are trained to identify SEND quickly and adapt teaching accordingly. The school also employs a dedicated GRT Learning Mentor to support children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Ofsted confirmed in 2023 that pupils with SEND are well supported.
Oxford Gardens Primary School offers wraparound care including a breakfast club and after-school club for children aged 4–11, though there is no holiday provision. The school day typically runs from morning registration to mid-afternoon, in line with standard primary hours. For specific timings and wraparound care bookings, contact the School Administrator. Nursery hours may differ and are subject to funded session arrangements.
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