Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, London Review 2026: Faith-Centred Education in North Kensington

Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School has served the North Kensington community since its founding, offering Catholic education for children aged 3 to 11. The school's mission, "Learning Together in Faith and Love," anchors its approach to primary education in a borough known for its diversity and rapid change. Saint Mary's has been part of the St Charles and St Mary's Catholic Primary Schools Federation, allowing it to draw on shared leadership and resources. With a capacity of 380 pupils and nursery provision on site, the school balances its Catholic identity with an inclusive, multi-cultural ethos. In recent years, the school has navigated improvement journeys: after requiring improvement in 2014 and a monitoring visit in 2015, it regained its Good Ofsted rating in 2016 and maintained it in 2022. Pupils benefit from partnerships with IntoUniversity, AllChild, the National Theatre, and Fairtrade organisations, enriching the curriculum beyond the classroom.

Saint Mary's is a Roman Catholic voluntary aided school maintained by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The school's Catholic character shapes daily life, with religious education, worship, and faith development central to its identity. Pupils take on roles such as Faith Ambassadors, embedding values of kindness, responsibility, and service. The February 2022 Ofsted inspection noted that pupils are "happy and safe," and that the school community takes pride in the institution. Inspectors praised leaders for demonstrating "high expectations for every pupil," a reflection of the school's commitment to inclusive excellence.

The school describes itself as a "friendly, multi-cultural and inclusive two-form entry school in North Kensington, with a strong community feel." This emphasis on community is particularly significant in an area that includes families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The federation with St Charles Catholic Primary School, led by Executive Head Teacher Ms. Geraldine Hampton, provides stability and shared expertise. The school's Catholic ethos is expressed not only in religious observance but also in its partnerships with organisations that promote social justice and cultural enrichment, including Fairtrade and the National Theatre.

Saint Mary's delivers a broad primary curriculum, with recent performance placing it in line with national averages. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the national average of 62%. Higher attainment is also strong: 32% achieved high scores in reading and grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 18% in maths, both comfortably above national norms. The school's average scaled scores were 106 in reading, 104 in maths, and 107 in grammar, punctuation and spelling, reflecting solid performance across core subjects.

Nationally, Saint Mary's ranks 5,670th among primary schools, placing it in the middle tier of performance. Locally within Kensington and Chelsea, it ranks 21st among primary schools. These rankings reflect a school performing above the national baseline while operating in a highly competitive borough. The school's attainment is particularly strong in reading and grammar, though maths outcomes trail slightly. Science performance is robust, with 86% of pupils reaching the expected standard.

Saint Mary's provides support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, with a sensory room and dedicated SEND services. The school's inclusive ethos ensures that children with a range of learning needs are welcomed and supported. The school has also invested in pupil premium funding for disadvantaged pupils and PE and sports premium funding to enhance physical education and extracurricular provision. The partnership with IntoUniversity offers academic support and university aspiration programmes, particularly valuable in an area where many families face socio-economic challenges.

The school offers after-school clubs, though specific programmes are not detailed publicly. Physical education and sports are supported by dedicated premium funding, and music development initiatives are in place. Faith-based activities and worship are regular features of school life, with opportunities for pupils to participate in liturgy, prayer, and service projects.

Facilities include a sensory room for pupils with additional needs, outside play spaces, and classrooms designed for early years through to Year 6. The school's location on East Row in North Kensington places it in the heart of a residential community, with good transport links and proximity to local amenities. While the school does not have extensive grounds or specialist facilities found in larger or independent schools, its partnerships with external organisations provide enrichment: the National Theatre partnership supports arts education, while IntoUniversity offers after-school learning centres and mentoring.

Admission to Saint Mary's is managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with the school's own admission criteria reflecting its Catholic character. The most recent admissions data shows the school is oversubscribed, with 28 applications for 12 Reception places—a subscription ratio of 2.33 to 1. All first-preference applicants who received offers were successful, indicating that the school's criteria are well understood by applying families.

To apply, parents must complete both the local authority's Primary Transfer Form and the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF). Catholic applicants require a Certificate of Catholic Practice signed by their parish priest, along with a copy of their child's baptismal certificate. Non-Catholic applicants from other faiths need a Certificate of Religious Practice signed by their faith leader. Two proofs of address are also required. The deadline for Reception 2025 applications was 15 January 2025, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2025.

The school's oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children and previously looked-after children, followed by baptised Catholic children, then children of other Christian denominations and other faiths, and finally children of no religious faith. Within each category, distance from the school typically acts as a tiebreaker, though specific distance data for the furthest offer in recent years is not published. Parents should contact the school or the borough's admissions team to understand likely catchment distances, as these can vary year to year.

In-year admissions for other year groups are also handled through the local authority, with spaces occasionally available. Given the school's oversubscription at Reception, families interested in Saint Mary's should apply early and ensure all documentation is complete and submitted on time.

Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School is a community-focused primary serving North Kensington with a clear Catholic identity and a commitment to inclusion. Its academic performance is solid, with attainment in reading, writing and maths above national averages, though not exceptional compared to the highest-performing primaries in Kensington and Chelsea. The school's strength lies in its pastoral care, faith-based ethos, and partnerships that extend learning beyond the classroom.

For Catholic families in North Kensington seeking a school where faith and values are central, Saint Mary's offers a stable, caring environment with a track record of improvement. The school's federation with St Charles provides leadership continuity and shared resources, and its partnerships with IntoUniversity and the National Theatre offer enrichment that many standalone primaries cannot match. Parents should be aware of the school's oversubscription and ensure they meet the admissions criteria, including obtaining the necessary religious references well in advance of deadlines.

Saint Mary's is best suited to families who value a faith-based education, a strong sense of community, and a school that understands the diverse needs of North Kensington. While it may not offer the facilities or academic results of selective or independent schools, it provides a nurturing, values-driven start to primary education in a neighbourhood where such stability is highly valued.

Is Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, London a good school?

Yes. Saint Mary's is rated Good by Ofsted as of February 2022. The school's attainment in reading, writing and maths is above national averages, and it provides a supportive, inclusive environment rooted in Catholic values. It is best suited to families seeking a faith-based education in North Kensington.

How do I apply to Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, London?

Applications are made through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea by the mid-January deadline (15 January 2025 for Reception 2025). You must also complete the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice (or Certificate of Religious Practice for non-Catholics), baptismal certificate, and two proofs of address. Contact the school on 020 8969 0321 or visit their website for full details.

What is the catchment area for Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, London?

The school is oversubscribed, with admissions prioritising Catholic children and those of other faiths, followed by distance from the school. Specific catchment distances are not published and vary year to year. Contact the school or the borough's admissions team for guidance on likely catchment.

Does Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, London have a nursery?

Yes. Saint Mary's has nursery provision for children aged 3 to 4, offering an early years education within the school's Catholic ethos.

What are the school's strengths?

Saint Mary's strengths include its Catholic ethos, strong community feel, above-average attainment in reading and writing, and partnerships with organisations like IntoUniversity and the National Theatre. The school's inclusive approach and support for SEND pupils are also notable.