St Thomas' CofE Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Church School in North Kensington

St Thomas' CofE Primary School in North Kensington is a small, single-form-entry Church of England primary school that has earned Outstanding grades across all five Ofsted categories in its January 2025 inspection. Serving 201 pupils aged 3 to 11, the school combines a clear Christian vision with an inclusive welcome for children of all faiths and backgrounds, anchored by the motto "Love is patient, love is kind." Operating as part of the LifeFull Schools Federation alongside St Clement & St James, this voluntary aided school delivers results above national averages while maintaining an intimate "village school" atmosphere where every child is known by name.

St Thomas' CofE Primary School grounds its ethos in Christian teaching, fostering values of love, joy, peace, friendship, forgiveness, perseverance and justice. The school's vision is shared across its federation partnership, enabling two separate schools to pool expertise and resources while each maintains its distinct character. A March 2020 statutory inspection of Anglican schools (SIAMS) awarded the school excellent grades in all areas, noting that "a clear, explicit and ambitious Christian vision is shared by leaders, governors and staff and lived out in every aspect of the school's life so that adults and pupils, regardless of their faith or background, are valued, thrive and flourish."

The school explicitly embraces inclusion, welcoming a diverse intake that reflects North Kensington's multicultural character. Nearly 60% of pupils speak a first language other than English, and almost half qualify for free school meals, yet the school maintains that it "does not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of age, physical ability or disability, ethnicity, beliefs, gender, gender identity, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality." Close links with St Thomas' Church and the local community reinforce the school's civic role in the neighbourhood.

Led by Principal Sarah Bouette, St Thomas' benefits from the executive leadership structure of the LifeFull Schools Federation, described as "Stronger together." This model allows teaching expertise and best practices to flow between partner schools while preserving each school's individual identity and community relationships.

St Thomas' delivers academic performance well above national benchmarks. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 79% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, significantly exceeding the national average of 62%. At the higher standard, 25% of pupils achieved depth across all three subjects, more than three times the national figure of 8%.

Subject-specific results show particular strength in reading, where the school achieved an average scaled score of 109 and 52% of pupils attained the high score, compared to typical national performance. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 48% reached the high score with an average scaled score of 108. Mathematics performance was solid, with 80% reaching the expected standard and an average scaled score of 105. These outcomes place the school ranked 2,962nd in England and 16th locally within Kensington and Chelsea among primary schools, positioning it in the top 20% nationally.

Ofsted's January 2025 inspection praised the school's curriculum as "broad and interesting, enriched by regular visits and after-school activities." Inspectors found that "pupils reach standards above those of other pupils nationally in reading, writing and mathematics" and noted that "precise training ensures consistent phonics teaching; most pupils become fluent readers by end of key stage 1."

The school's Early Years provision, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, serves children aged 3 to 5 with dedicated facilities where "children cooperate well in the outdoor area and play imaginatively." The curriculum is designed to be "fuelled by the interests of pupils" and aims to "meet the learning needs of each individual child, enabling them to flourish, form happy memories and reach their full potential."

With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 15.0, the school maintains 13.4 full-time equivalent teachers and 13.27 teaching assistants, ensuring small class sizes and individualised attention. The school provides wraparound care through breakfast clubs and after-school programmes, supporting working families in the community.

As a small, single-form-entry school with a capacity of 236 pupils, St Thomas' cultivates a close-knit community environment. The federation describes both partner schools as "'village' schools where everybody knows your name," emphasising the personal relationships that underpin pastoral care and safeguarding.

Extracurricular provision includes a wide variety of clubs and trips spanning sports and cultural opportunities. The school operates an innovative "Pop-up Museum" as part of its curriculum enrichment, complementing regular educational visits that extend learning beyond the classroom.

Facilities include outdoor play areas used effectively in Early Years provision and spaces designed to support a broad curriculum with emphasis on the arts. The school's location in North Kensington places it at the heart of a diverse urban community, with close proximity to local churches and community organisations that contribute to the school's inclusive ethos.

Inspectors noted in the 2025 Ofsted report that the school earned Outstanding grades for both behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, reflecting a strong culture of mutual respect and Christian values in daily school life.

St Thomas' CofE Primary School is a voluntary aided Church of England school, meaning it sets its own admissions criteria rather than following the local authority's standard oversubscription rules. For Reception entry in September 2025, the school offered 15 places and received 48 applications, making it significantly oversubscribed with 3.2 times more applicants than places available. Every first-preference applicant who received an offer had ranked St Thomas' as their top choice, indicating strong local demand and careful alignment of admissions criteria with the school's faith character.

Parents apply through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea coordinated admissions scheme. The national closing date for Reception 2025 applications was 15 January 2025, with offer letters issued on 16 April 2025. Families may list up to six schools in order of preference on a single application form, though each school considers applications independently against published criteria without knowledge of preference order.

As a Church of England voluntary aided school, St Thomas' typically prioritises children with connections to the church community, followed by siblings and proximity-based criteria. Specific admissions arrangements, including any requirements for church attendance or baptism certificates, are published on the school's website and should be reviewed carefully by prospective applicants. Given the level of competition, families interested in St Thomas' are advised to research the admissions policy thoroughly and consider whether their circumstances align with the school's faith-based criteria.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea operates waiting lists for community and academy schools from 14 May following national offer day. Parents have the right to appeal if their child is refused a place, though infant class size legislation limits grounds for successful appeals to legal or procedural errors in the admissions process.

St Thomas' CofE Primary School stands out as an Outstanding Church of England primary serving North Kensington's diverse community with academic results significantly above national averages and a caring, faith-rooted ethos. The school's strength lies in combining rigorous academic expectations—79% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to 62% nationally—with an inclusive pastoral environment shaped by Christian values and a commitment to welcoming children from all backgrounds.

The January 2025 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding grades across all five categories, confirming the school's consistent excellence in education quality, behaviour, personal development, leadership and Early Years provision. Ranked in the top 20% of primary schools nationally, St Thomas' delivers strong outcomes for a cohort in which nearly half of pupils qualify for free school meals and 60% speak English as an additional language, demonstrating effective support for children from varied starting points.

Parents seeking a small, community-focused primary with explicit Christian values, proven academic results and a track record of Outstanding Ofsted judgements will find St Thomas' an appealing choice. The single-form-entry structure ensures children are known individually, while the LifeFull Schools Federation partnership provides access to shared expertise and resources. However, prospective families should be aware of the school's significant oversubscription: with 48 applications for 15 places, admission is highly competitive and likely to favour those with strong connections to the Church of England community.

The school is well suited to families who value a faith-based education embedded in daily school life, appreciate a warm and inclusive atmosphere, and prioritise personal relationships over large-school facilities or specialist programmes. St Thomas' delivers what it promises: an outstanding Church of England primary education in a nurturing, village-like setting where every child is known, valued and supported to flourish.

Is St Thomas' CofE Primary School a good school?

Yes, St Thomas' CofE Primary School is an Outstanding school according to Ofsted's most recent inspection in January 2025, achieving Outstanding grades in all five measured categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and Early Years provision. Academic results are well above national averages, with 79% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics compared to 62% nationally, and 25% achieving the higher standard across all three subjects against a national average of 8%. The school is ranked in the top 20% of primary schools in England.

How do I apply to St Thomas' CofE Primary School?

Applications to St Thomas' CofE Primary School are made through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea coordinated admissions scheme. For Reception entry, parents must apply by the national closing date (15 January for September entry), listing up to six schools in order of preference on the local authority application form. As a voluntary aided Church of England school, St Thomas' sets its own admissions criteria, which typically prioritise children with connections to the church community. Detailed admissions arrangements are published on the school's website. Given significant oversubscription (48 applications for 15 places recently), prospective families should carefully review the admissions policy to understand whether their circumstances align with the school's faith-based criteria.

What are St Thomas' CofE Primary School's admission criteria?

St Thomas' CofE Primary School is a voluntary aided Church of England school, meaning it sets its own admissions criteria rather than following local authority rules. While specific criteria are published on the school's website, voluntary aided Church schools typically prioritise children with documented connections to the church community (such as regular church attendance or baptism), followed by siblings of current pupils, and then other applicants based on distance or other factors. Prospective families should consult the published admissions arrangements directly on the school website or contact the school office for detailed information, as criteria can vary year by year.

What is the catchment area for St Thomas' CofE Primary School?

St Thomas' CofE Primary School does not operate a defined geographic catchment area in the traditional sense, as it is a voluntary aided Church of England school that sets its own admissions criteria based primarily on faith affiliation and other factors rather than proximity alone. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 48 applications for 15 places in recent admissions rounds. Families interested in the school should review the published admissions policy on the school's website to understand the specific criteria used in allocating places, as these will determine likelihood of admission rather than distance from the school.

What age range does St Thomas' CofE Primary School serve?

St Thomas' CofE Primary School serves children aged 3 to 11, offering nursery provision for 3- and 4-year-olds and primary education from Reception through Year 6. The school's Early Years provision was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the January 2025 inspection.

What are the school's results like?

St Thomas' CofE Primary School delivers results significantly above national averages. In the most recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 79% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to the national average of 62%. At the higher standard, 25% achieved depth across all three subjects, more than three times the national figure of 8%. The school is ranked 2,962nd out of approximately 15,000 primary schools in England, placing it in the top 20% nationally, and 16th locally within Kensington and Chelsea.

What is the school's religious character?

St Thomas' CofE Primary School is a Church of England voluntary aided school with an explicit Christian ethos. A statutory inspection of Anglican schools (SIAMS) in March 2020 awarded the school excellent grades in all areas, noting that a "clear, explicit and ambitious Christian vision is shared by leaders, governors and staff and lived out in every aspect of the school's life." The school welcomes children from all faiths and backgrounds, maintaining an inclusive environment while grounding its values in Christian teaching centred on the motto "Love is patient, love is kind." Close links with St Thomas' Church support the school's faith character.