St Clement and St James CofE Primary School Review 2026: Village Spirit in the Heart of Notting Hill

St Clement and St James CofE Primary School describes itself as a "village school" offering high-quality education within a Christian context in the heart of Notting Hill—a distinctive identity in one of London's most densely populated boroughs. This one-form entry Church of England school serves 126 pupils aged 4 to 11 at Penzance Place, operating under the ethos "Let the children come to me..." and welcoming children from all faiths and backgrounds. The school holds a Good Ofsted rating from June 2023, with Outstanding grades for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and Early Years provision. St Clement and St James is part of a federation with its neighbouring school, St Thomas' CE Primary, sharing resources and leadership while maintaining its own identity. Recent attainment stands at 70% of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, and a distinctive arts focus is supported by an on-site pottery and art centre. Admissions are oversubscribed, with 47 applications for 30 Reception places.

St Clement and St James operates with the vision that "Love is patient, love is kind," rooted firmly in Christian teaching while explicitly welcoming children of all faiths and none. The school's self-description as a "village school" reflects its small-scale, community-centred approach: a single-form entry institution where, in the school's own words, "everybody knows your name." This deliberate intimacy distinguishes it from larger London primaries and underpins a pastoral culture that the 2023 Ofsted inspection rated Outstanding for personal development and behaviour.

The school is part of a federation with St Thomas' CE Primary School, operating under unified executive leadership while maintaining separate sites and identities. This partnership allows St Clement and St James to share specialist expertise, resources and staff development opportunities while preserving the small, neighbourhood feel that defines both schools. Sarah Bouette serves as Executive Headteacher across the federation, with Ellie Dowthwaite as Head of School for St Clement and St James.

Parental involvement is actively encouraged, with staff working closely with families. The school emphasises a broad curriculum with particular strength in the arts, supported by the Pottery Lane Art Centre on site. This facility, housed in the school grounds near Avondale Park, hosts ceramicists, weavers and fine artists who rent studio space and, in turn, deliver art sessions with pupils—an unusual and enriching resource for a state primary.

Academic performance at St Clement and St James shows variability across subjects. In the most recent Key Stage 2 results, 70% of Year 6 pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 62%. The school's average scaled score in reading is 105, matching the expected standard, with 89% of pupils reaching the expected level in reading and 22% achieving the higher standard. Grammar, punctuation and spelling also performs well, with an average scaled score of 105 and 78% reaching the expected standard.

However, mathematics is a weaker area. Only 48% of pupils reached the expected standard in maths, significantly below the national average, and the average scaled score of 99 is below the expected threshold of 100. No pupils achieved the higher standard in maths in the most recent results. This is a notable gap and represents an area requiring sustained attention. Science attainment is stronger, with 85% of pupils meeting the expected standard, above the national benchmark of 82%.

Overall, 12% of pupils achieved the higher standard across reading, writing and maths combined, above the national average of 8%, suggesting the school supports its most able pupils effectively in most subjects. The school ranks 11,187th nationally among primary schools and 26th within Kensington and Chelsea, placing it below the national median but serving a diverse cohort in an area of high social contrasts.

The school's Good rating for quality of education from Ofsted reflects a curriculum that is broad and knowledge-rich, with particular emphasis on the arts, music and languages. Specialist teachers contribute to subjects beyond the classroom teacher's core delivery, adding depth to provision. Early Years provision is rated Outstanding, indicating strong foundations are laid in Reception.

Pastoral support is a clear strength. The Outstanding rating for personal development reflects the school's commitment to nurturing well-rounded children. Pupils benefit from a caring staff team, strong community partnerships, and a focus on character education rooted in Christian values. Behaviour and attitudes are also rated Outstanding, with inspectors noting that pupils are polite, engaged and respectful.

For a small urban primary, St Clement and St James offers a surprising range of enrichment. The on-site Pottery Lane Art Centre is the jewel in the crown: a dedicated space where professional artists work and teach, bringing ceramics, weaving and fine art directly into the curriculum. This partnership is rare in the state sector and provides pupils with access to creative practitioners and materials beyond what is typical.

Each class has its own small garden plot, funded by Trees for Cities, allowing children to engage in growing projects. There is also an edible garden initiative, part of the school's commitment to environmental education and hands-on learning. Outdoor play areas include a mud kitchen, and pupils are reported to be enthusiastic about active play, dance and sport during breaks.

Extracurricular provision is varied despite the school's small size. After-school clubs change each term and include sports, arts and other interests. Clubs are well attended and complement the school day, allowing pupils to develop talents beyond the core curriculum. A daily breakfast club, managed by the governing body, provides wraparound care for working families.

The school makes full use of its Notting Hill location, with trips and visits enhancing the curriculum. Year 5 pupils attend a residential outdoor education centre in Gloucestershire, broadening their experience beyond the urban environment. Community partnerships with the Rugby Portobello Trust, Clement James Centre and Latimer Christian Fellowship extend learning opportunities and support.

Facilities are typical of an inner-London primary: space is at a premium, but the school maximises what it has. The Early Years provision is noted as excellent, with dedicated spaces for 3- to 5-year-olds. The proximity to Avondale Park provides additional outdoor access.

St Clement and St James is an oversubscribed Church of England voluntary aided school, with the governing body acting as its own admissions authority. For the most recent intake, the school received 47 applications for 30 Reception places, representing a subscription ratio of 1.57. Every first-preference applicant who was offered a place received one, indicating that proximity and faith criteria are important in determining offers.

As a Church of England school, faith affiliation plays a role in the admissions criteria. Parents should consult the school's detailed admissions policy for the specific weighting given to different categories, including church attendance, siblings, and proximity. The school serves a diverse catchment around Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and North Kensington, though specific distance data for the furthest child admitted is not published.

Applications must be made through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's coordinated admissions process, with the usual London deadline of mid-January for entry the following September. Given oversubscription, parents are advised to list the school realistically on their Common Application Form and to ensure they meet any faith criteria if applicable. The school holds occasional open events; contact the school office directly for dates.

Competition for places reflects both the school's local reputation and the limited number of Church of England primaries in Kensington and Chelsea. Parents seeking a small, faith-based setting with strong pastoral care and a community feel should consider St Clement and St James, while understanding that mathematics outcomes are an area for improvement.

St Clement and St James CofE Primary School offers a distinctive proposition: the intimacy and community warmth of a "village school" set in the heart of urban Notting Hill, underpinned by Christian values and bolstered by Outstanding pastoral provision. Parents seeking a small, caring environment where staff know every child by name, and where the arts are woven into daily life through an on-site creative centre, will find much to value here. The school's Outstanding ratings for Early Years, behaviour, personal development and leadership reflect a well-led institution with strong character education and a supportive ethos.

However, academic performance is mixed. While reading and grammar are solid, and the school exceeds national averages in overall attainment, mathematics is a clear weak point. The fact that no pupils achieved the higher standard in maths in recent results, and that fewer than half reached the expected level, should give parents pause if mathematical rigour is a priority. The school's local ranking, 26th out of primary schools in Kensington and Chelsea, is respectable but not exceptional in a competitive borough.

For families who prioritise a nurturing, faith-based education with excellent behaviour, strong personal development and genuine creative enrichment, St Clement and St James delivers. The federated structure with St Thomas' provides stability and shared expertise. The school's small size means transitions are gentle, and pastoral support is individualised. Parents looking for a more academically pressured environment or outstanding mathematics provision may find better outcomes elsewhere.

In short, this is a Good school in the truest sense: kind, community-rooted, and Outstanding in the things that matter for young children's wellbeing. The challenge will be translating that strong foundation into consistent academic outcomes, particularly in maths. For the right family, St Clement and St James offers a warm, creative and values-led start to education.

Is St Clement and St James CofE Primary School a good school?

St Clement and St James holds a Good Ofsted rating from June 2023, with Outstanding judgements for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and Early Years provision. Academic performance is above the national average overall, with particular strength in reading and grammar. However, mathematics outcomes are below expectations and represent an area for improvement. The school excels in pastoral care, arts provision and community ethos, making it a strong choice for families seeking a small, nurturing, faith-based environment.

How do I apply to St Clement and St James CofE Primary School?

Applications must be made through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's coordinated admissions system, with the typical deadline of mid-January for entry the following September. The school is its own admissions authority and uses faith-based criteria alongside proximity and sibling links. Parents should consult the school's published admissions policy on the school website or via the local authority to understand the weighting of different categories. The school is consistently oversubscribed, so parents should apply strategically and consider whether they meet faith criteria.

What are the school's strengths?

Outstanding pastoral care, behaviour and personal development, excellent Early Years provision, a distinctive on-site art centre with professional artists, strong community partnerships, small class sizes, and a warm, "village school" atmosphere in an urban setting. The school's Christian ethos is inclusive and welcoming to all faiths.

What are the school's weaknesses?

Mathematics outcomes are significantly below national expectations, with only 48% of pupils reaching the expected standard and no pupils achieving the higher standard in recent results. The school's national ranking places it below the median for England, and while this reflects the diverse cohort, it indicates academic performance is not exceptional compared to other London primaries.

What is the school's religious character?

St Clement and St James is a Church of England voluntary aided school with a Christian ethos rooted in the vision "Let the children come to me." While faith plays a role in admissions and daily life, the school explicitly welcomes children from all faiths and none. Religious education and collective worship follow Church of England practices, but the inclusive approach is central to the school's identity.

Does the school have a sixth form?

No. St Clement and St James is a primary school serving pupils from Reception (age 4) to Year 6 (age 11).