Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Results, Catholic Heart

96% of Year 6 pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics in 2024, placing Saint Francis of Assisi among the top 2% of primary schools in England. This Catholic primary in Notting Hill combines academic excellence with a faith identity that shapes every aspect of school life. With 315 pupils aged 3 to 11 and a nursery serving children from age 3, the school occupies a modest site on Treadgold Street yet delivers results that rival much larger institutions.

The Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, weekly Mass, and Gospel values underpin behaviour, relationships, and learning. Mrs Catherine Wilson has led the school since 2018, bringing 25 years of Catholic education experience. The school holds Outstanding judgements from both Ofsted and the Diocese of Westminster, reflecting excellence in academic and spiritual development.

The red-brick Victorian building sits on a quiet residential street in Notting Hill, minutes from the bustle of Portobello Road. Space is limited, a reality of inner London, yet the school makes every square metre count. Classrooms are bright and purposeful. Displays celebrate both academic achievement and Catholic feast days.

At morning drop-off, the atmosphere is calm and welcoming. Children enter through a single gate, greeted by staff who know every family. The school operates as a close-knit community where teachers, parents, and pupils share a common faith foundation.

The chapel, converted from a former classroom, serves as the spiritual heart. Pupils attend Mass weekly, participate in reconciliation services, and take responsibility for sacred space. Older pupils lead younger children in prayer, fostering a culture of service that extends beyond the school day.

Catholic values of kindness, respect, and forgiveness are lived, not merely displayed. Behaviour is excellent. Pupils move through narrow corridors with consideration for others. Disputes are resolved through conversation and genuine apology. The ethos creates a sense of safety that allows academic ambition to flourish.

In 2024, 96% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. The school ranks 305th in England for primary outcomes and 8th among primaries in Kensington and Chelsea, placing it well above England average in the top 10%.

Performance at the higher standard demonstrates depth as well as breadth. 50% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three subjects, compared to the England average of 8%. In mathematics, 67% scored highly, while 58% achieved the top standard in reading.

Scaled scores tell a consistent story. Reading averaged 110, mathematics 111, and grammar, punctuation, and spelling 110, all significantly above the England average of 104. Every pupil reached the expected standard in reading, mathematics, and grammar.

Science results mirror the core subjects, with 96% meeting expected standards compared to the England average of 82%.

These outcomes reflect rigorous teaching, high expectations, and a curriculum that challenges all pupils. The school has maintained this performance consistently, demonstrating that results are not a one-year anomaly but evidence of embedded excellence.

The curriculum follows the National Curriculum with enrichment that reflects Catholic tradition and academic ambition. Religious education receives the same curriculum time as English or mathematics, taught by class teachers with specialist support from the parish priest.

Teaching is structured and purposeful. Lessons move at pace, with clear learning objectives and high expectations for effort and presentation. Marking is thorough, providing specific guidance for improvement. Pupils speak confidently about their learning and understand what they need to do to progress.

Phonics teaching begins in Reception, following a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Reading is prioritised across the school, with daily guided reading sessions and a well-stocked library. By Year 2, most pupils read fluently and with comprehension.

Mathematics teaching emphasises mastery. Pupils work through concepts in depth before moving on, ensuring secure foundations. Mental arithmetic is practised daily. Challenge is provided through problem-solving and reasoning tasks rather than acceleration through content.

Setting is not used in the main school. Mixed-ability teaching ensures all pupils access the full curriculum while targeted intervention supports those who need additional help. This approach aligns with Catholic values of inclusion and community.

The school employs specialist teachers for music and physical education, ensuring expertise in areas where class teachers may lack confidence. French is taught from Year 3 by a fluent speaker.

Pastoral care is rooted in Catholic teaching. Every child is valued as made in the image of God, a principle that informs relationships and support. Class teachers know their pupils deeply, noticing changes in mood or behaviour and responding promptly.

The SENCO coordinates support for approximately 40 pupils on the SEN register, covering needs from dyslexia to social communication difficulties. Intervention is discreet and targeted, allowing pupils to remain with their peers for most of the day.

A school counsellor visits weekly, providing short-term support for pupils experiencing anxiety, bereavement, or family changes. Referrals are made through class teachers in consultation with parents.

Behaviour is managed through the school's Gospel values framework. Expectations are clear and consistent. Praise is specific and genuine. Consequences are fair and proportionate. The result is a calm, orderly environment where learning takes priority.

Safeguarding is strong. Staff receive regular training and know how to recognise and report concerns. The designated safeguarding lead is experienced and accessible. Links with local authority services are well established.

Extracurricular provision is solid rather than extensive, reflecting the constraints of space and budget. Clubs run after school four days per week, including football, netball, choir, art, and coding. Participation is high, with clubs rotating termly to allow broad access.

Music plays a significant role. The choir sings at weekly Mass and performs at Christmas and Easter services in the parish church. All Year 4 pupils learn recorder, with opportunities to continue to other instruments through peripatetic teaching. The annual nativity production involves every pupil from Reception to Year 2, while older children stage a summer musical.

Sport is taken seriously despite limited facilities. The school has no playing field, using nearby parks for outdoor games and athletics. Football and netball teams compete in local leagues, achieving respectable results. All pupils participate in an annual sports day at a local athletics track.

Faith enrichment extends beyond the formal curriculum. Pupils participate in the Lenten reconciliation service, prepare and receive First Holy Communion in Year 3, and lead fundraising for CAFOD and other Catholic charities. Altar servers are trained to assist at parish Masses.

Residential trips include a Year 6 pilgrimage to Walsingham, combining spiritual reflection with outdoor activities. Year 4 visits a farm in Sussex for environmental studies.

Applications are made through Kensington and Chelsea local authority by 15 January for September Reception entry. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 56 applications for 28 places in 2024, representing two applications for every place.

Admission is governed by the school's faith-based oversubscription criteria, detailed in the admissions policy available on the school website. After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, priority is given to baptised Catholic children, with subcriteria including siblings, parish connection, and proximity to the school.

Catholic families must provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice, completed by their parish priest, demonstrating regular Mass attendance over recent years. This requirement is taken seriously and verified.

A small number of places may be available for non-Catholic children, prioritised by distance if Catholic applicants do not fill all spaces. In practice, such places are rare given demand from Catholic families.

Families should understand that baptism alone does not guarantee a place. Active parish involvement and proximity to the school both matter. The admissions policy provides clear guidance on how criteria are applied.

Nursery admission operates separately, with priority for Catholic families. Nursery attendance does not guarantee progression to Reception, though most nursery children continue if they meet admissions criteria.

The majority of pupils progress to Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a Catholic boys' grammar school in Holland Park, or St Thomas More Language College, a Catholic comprehensive in Chelsea. Both schools prioritise applicants from Catholic feeder primaries.

Girls typically move to Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith or Cardinal Vaughan's co-educational sixth form. A smaller number secure places at London Oratory School in Fulham through the school's competitive entrance process.

Some families pursue non-Catholic options, including Holland Park School, a high-performing state comprehensive nearby, or independent schools such as Latymer Upper or St Paul's Girls' School for those who pass entrance examinations.

Transition support is thorough. The school maintains strong links with receiving secondaries, coordinating visits and information sharing. Pupils leave well prepared for the academic and social demands of Year 7.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:30pm. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am, providing a calm start with toast and cereal. After-school club runs until 6pm, offering supervised play and homework support.

Nursery sessions are offered mornings (8:45am to 11:45am) or afternoons (12:15pm to 3:15pm), with full-day places combining both sessions. Government-funded hours are available for eligible three- and four-year-olds.

The school is accessible by public transport. Ladbroke Grove Underground station (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines) is a five-minute walk. Several bus routes serve Ladbroke Grove and Portobello Road. Street parking is restricted, and families are encouraged to walk or use public transport for drop-off.

School uniform is practical and affordable, purchased through the school office or local suppliers. Uniform expectations are maintained consistently, reflecting the school's emphasis on community identity.

Faith commitment expected. The Catholic character is genuine and integral to daily life. Daily prayer, weekly Mass, preparation for sacraments, and explicit religious teaching shape the school. Families uncomfortable with this level of faith immersion should look elsewhere. The school serves Catholic families who want their children's education rooted in Gospel values.

Competitive admissions. With two applications for every place, entry requires meeting faith criteria and living relatively close to the school. Baptism alone is insufficient. Active parish involvement, evidenced through the Certificate of Catholic Practice, carries significant weight. Families should engage with their parish priest well before application.

Limited outdoor space. The school has no playing field, a reality of inner London sites. Physical education uses nearby parks and hired facilities. While provision is adequate and results in sport respectable, families wanting extensive sports grounds will not find them here.

Small cohort. With one class per year group of approximately 28 pupils, friendship groups are limited. This intimacy creates strong community bonds but offers less social flexibility than larger schools. Some children thrive in this close-knit environment; others may prefer greater choice of peers.

Outstanding academic results combined with a deeply Catholic ethos make Saint Francis of Assisi a compelling choice for Catholic families in Notting Hill. Results place it among the top 2% of primaries in England, while the spiritual dimension ensures children develop morally and academically. Teaching is rigorous, expectations high, and the community supportive.

Best suited to Catholic families committed to regular Mass attendance who want their children educated in an explicitly faith-based environment. The academic excellence attracts families from across Kensington and Chelsea, but admission requires genuine Catholic practice, not simply baptism. For families who meet the criteria and secure a place, the education provides exceptional preparation for secondary school and beyond.

The main challenge is gaining entry. Competition is intense, and the admissions process rewards active parish involvement alongside proximity. Families should engage early with their parish and understand the criteria thoroughly. For those who succeed, Saint Francis offers a rare combination of academic rigour and Catholic formation.