Thomas Jones Primary School Review 2026: Among the Highest-Performing in England

In the heart of Notting Hill, where pastel-painted townhouses line leafy streets, Thomas Jones Primary School has quietly become one of the most remarkable state primaries in the country. The 2024 KS2 results place it 1st in England among all ranked primaries, a position that reflects not just exam performance but a distinctive educational culture. With 210 pupils aged 3 to 11, this is a small school where every child is known, yet the intellectual ambition rivals schools ten times its size.

The school sits on St Mark's Road, a stone's throw from Portobello Market and the creative energy of Notting Hill. The building itself, a Victorian structure expanded over decades, houses a community that takes learning seriously without losing sight of childhood joy.

Beyond the gates, the atmosphere is purposeful but warm. Children arrive confidently, greeting staff who know not just their names but their interests, strengths, and what they struggled with yesterday. The scale matters here. With single-form entry and just 30 pupils per year group, this is a place where no child slips through unnoticed.

The leadership of Mr Simon Uttley, head teacher since 2009, has shaped the school's trajectory. Under his stewardship, Thomas Jones achieved Outstanding from Ofsted and built a reputation that extends well beyond Kensington and Chelsea. Staff turnover is notably low. Many teachers have been here for over a decade, creating continuity and institutional memory that benefits pupils.

The school's values, visible in every classroom, centre on curiosity, resilience, and kindness. These are not abstract ideals but practical guides. Pupils are encouraged to ask difficult questions, persist through challenge, and support one another. The behaviour policy references these values explicitly, and children use the language naturally when describing why they persisted with a tricky problem or helped a classmate.

Walking through at lunchtime, the sense of community is palpable. Older children mentor younger ones, reading buddies meet weekly, and the dining hall buzzes with conversation. This is not a pressure-cooker environment despite the results. Staff describe their approach as high expectations with high support, and the distinction is real.

The nursery provision, available from age 3, offers a gentle introduction to the school's ethos. Early years staff prioritise language development and social skills, recognising that strong foundations matter more than early academic pushing. The nursery feeds into Reception, and most families who secure a nursery place progress smoothly through the school.

The numbers are striking. In 2024, 94% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. This is not a marginal difference but a substantial one, achieved year after year.

The school ranks 1st in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 1st among all primaries in Kensington and Chelsea, placing it among the highest-performing in England (top 0%). This elite position reflects sustained excellence, not a single exceptional cohort.

Breaking down the figures reveals the depth of achievement. Reading scaled scores averaged 115 (England average: 100), with 90% of pupils reaching the higher standard. In mathematics, the average scaled score was 118 (England average: 101), again with 90% achieving the higher standard. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling produced a scaled score of 116, with 83% at the higher level.

At the higher standard, 72% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%. This is particularly noteworthy. It demonstrates that strong results are not achieved by focusing narrowly on getting all pupils over the expected threshold while neglecting those capable of more. Children here are pushed to genuine mastery.

Science outcomes are equally strong, with 97% meeting the expected standard against an England average of 82%.

These results come without selection. Thomas Jones is a non-selective state primary serving its local catchment. The pupils are not filtered by ability or background. What distinguishes the school is teaching quality, curriculum design, and relentless focus on progress for every child.

The curriculum follows the national framework but with notable enrichment and depth. Subject teaching is strong across the board, with particularly impressive provision in mathematics and English. Lessons are well-structured, with clear learning objectives and skilled questioning that pushes thinking.

Teachers have deep subject knowledge and explain concepts with precision. Observations from the Ofsted inspection highlight that staff use assessment continuously to identify gaps and adjust teaching. Pupils who need additional support receive it swiftly, often through same-day intervention. Those working at greater depth are extended rather than given more of the same.

Mathematics teaching deserves particular mention. The school has adopted a mastery approach, with pupils working through concepts in depth before moving on. Setting begins in Year 4, allowing targeted teaching at the right pace for each group. Problem-solving and reasoning feature heavily, preparing pupils not just for SATs but for mathematical thinking.

Reading is prioritised from the earliest years. Phonics teaching in Reception and Year 1 is systematic and rigorous, with daily sessions and frequent assessment. By Year 2, most pupils are fluent readers. The school library, recently refurbished, is well-stocked and heavily used. Staff read aloud daily, exposing children to rich vocabulary and complex narratives.

Writing instruction balances technical accuracy with creative expression. Pupils produce substantial pieces of work, drafting and editing with care. Grammar is taught explicitly and applied in context. By Year 6, pupils write with confidence and sophistication, handling complex sentence structures and ambitious vocabulary.

Beyond the core subjects, the curriculum is broad. French is taught from Year 3 by a specialist teacher. Computing includes coding and digital literacy. Science is taught through practical investigation, with well-equipped labs and a focus on scientific enquiry. History and geography are enriched with visits to local museums and historical sites.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Lessons are punctuated by active breaks, recognising that young children need movement. Homework is set weekly, increasing in demand as pupils move through the school.

Pastoral care is embedded rather than bolted on. Each class has a dedicated teacher and teaching assistant, ensuring consistent relationships. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) works closely with class teachers to support the approximately 15 pupils on the SEN register, most with speech and language or specific learning difficulties.

Behaviour across the school is excellent. Pupils are polite, focused, and respectful. The behaviour policy is clear and applied consistently. Staff describe high expectations for conduct paired with warmth and understanding when children struggle.

Emotional wellbeing receives genuine attention. A trained counsellor visits weekly for pupils who need additional support. Staff are alert to signs of anxiety or distress, and communication with parents is proactive. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting commitment to meeting individual needs.

Bullying is rare and addressed swiftly when it occurs. Pupils describe a culture where unkindness is not tolerated by peers or adults. Older children take pride in looking after younger ones, and the house system fosters cross-year friendships.

Extracurricular provision is strong for a school this size. Clubs run Monday to Thursday after school, changing termly to maintain variety. Current offerings include football, netball, chess, coding, choir, art, drama, and gardening. Participation rates are high, with most pupils attending at least one club.

Music thrives here. All Year 3 pupils learn the recorder, and those showing aptitude can progress to other instruments through the peripatetic music service. The school choir performs at local events and in the annual Christmas concert. Approximately 40 pupils currently learn instruments, a significant proportion of the cohort.

Sport is well-supported despite limited outdoor space. The school lacks extensive playing fields but makes creative use of nearby parks and facilities. Football and netball teams compete in local leagues, and sports day at a nearby athletics track is a highlight of the summer term.

Drama is integrated into the curriculum and extended through after-school clubs. The Year 6 production, staged annually, showcases confidence and creativity. Recent performances have included adaptations of classic literature, with pupils involved in scriptwriting, set design, and performance.

Annual events include a Year 5 residential trip to a rural outdoor centre, where pupils develop independence and teamwork through activities like rock climbing, canoeing, and night hikes. Year 6 pupils visit France, applying their language learning in authentic contexts.

Community engagement is genuine. Pupils participate in local charity fundraising, visit care homes to sing for residents, and learn about social responsibility through assemblies and discussions. The school's location in diverse, creative Notting Hill informs its openness to difference and celebration of varied backgrounds.

Admissions are coordinated by Kensington and Chelsea Council. The application deadline for Reception entry is 15 January for the following September. Families apply online through the council's portal, listing up to six preferences.

The school is consistently and heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, 207 families applied for 28 Reception places, a ratio of 7.4 applications per place. Among first preferences alone, competition was fierce, with 2.7 first-preference applications for every place offered.

After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated strictly by distance from the school gates. There is no formal catchment boundary, no priority for siblings beyond looked-after children, and no faith criteria. Proximity is everything.

The last distance offered fluctuates annually based on applicant distribution but has historically been very tight. Families living more than a few hundred metres away are unlikely to secure a place through standard admissions. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to recent offer distances.

For nursery entry, applications are made directly to the school rather than through the council. Nursery places do not guarantee progression to Reception, but most nursery families do secure Reception places due to proximity.

The majority of Year 6 leavers progress to local state secondaries, with Holland Park School being the most common destination due to proximity and catchment alignment. A small number of pupils pursue selective independent schools or pass the 11-plus for grammar schools outside the borough.

The school provides some familiarisation with 11-plus style reasoning and verbal skills but emphasises that it does not offer intensive preparation. Families seeking grammar school entry typically arrange external tutoring. Given the strong academic foundations, Thomas Jones pupils often perform well in selective entrance processes when families choose that route.

Transition to secondary school is carefully managed. Staff liaise with receiving schools to share information about individual needs and strengths. Year 6 pupils visit their secondary schools in the summer term, and secondary staff often visit Thomas Jones to meet their incoming cohort.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm for all pupils. Gates open at 8:40am, and punctuality is expected.

Breakfast club operates from 7:45am, providing a calm start to the day with healthy food and quiet activities. After-school club runs until 6pm, offering supervised play, homework support, and snacks. Both clubs are available at modest cost and are popular with working families.

For nursery provision, the school offers 15-hour and 30-hour funded places for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. Additional hours can be purchased. For current nursery fees and availability, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for details.

The school is located a short walk from Ladbroke Grove Underground station (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines). Local bus routes include the 23, 52, and 452. On-street parking is restricted, and families are encouraged to walk or cycle. The school has bike storage for pupils.

School uniform is required and consists of navy jumper or cardigan, white polo shirt, grey trousers or skirt, and black shoes. PE kit includes a navy T-shirt and shorts. Uniform can be purchased from local suppliers or online.

Hot lunches are provided daily, with vegetarian and dietary requirement options available. Pupils can also bring packed lunches. The school promotes healthy eating and discourages sweets and fizzy drinks.

Tiny catchment. With 7.4 applications for every place and distance-based allocation, only families living extremely close to the school have realistic chances of securing a place. The catchment is among the tightest in London. Families should verify their distance carefully before relying on admission here. Moving house to gain proximity is common among families determined to secure a place, but this is a significant decision with substantial financial implications in an expensive area. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Small scale. Single-form entry means just 30 pupils per year group. This creates intimacy and strong relationships but limits social breadth. Children will spend seven years with largely the same peer group. For some this is ideal; others may prefer larger schools with more flexibility for friendship groups.

High expectations. The school achieves outstanding results through rigorous teaching and high expectations. Homework is regular and purposeful. Pupils are expected to read daily at home. Families who prefer a more relaxed approach may find the demands challenging.

Notting Hill context. The school serves one of London's most expensive postcodes. The community is diverse, but the cost of living in the area means many families have significant resources. While the school is inclusive and welcoming, the surrounding context shapes peer culture and family expectations.

Thomas Jones Primary School delivers what every parent wants: exceptional teaching, outstanding results, genuine care, and a community where children flourish. The 1st ranking in England is not an accident but the product of sustained excellence in leadership, teaching, and culture. This is a school that proves state education at its best rivals anything the independent sector offers.

Best suited to families fortunate enough to live within the tiny catchment who value academic rigour paired with warmth and creativity. Children here are challenged intellectually, supported pastorally, and encouraged to become curious, confident learners. The main challenge is securing a place. For those who do, the education is exceptional.