Kensington Primary School, London Review 2026: Health-led primary with standout KS2 outcomes

A large, high-performing primary in Manor Park with an unusually explicit focus on wellbeing alongside core academics. The school’s bespoke Curriculum K frames learning around four strands, academic, communication, health, and culture, with a stated intent to prepare children for modern life as well as secondary transition.

Performance data is consistently strong for a state primary. In the most recent KS2 outcomes recorded here, 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%.

Leadership is anchored by Executive Head Teacher Ben Levinson, with the school describing a broader trust structure through The Tapscott Learning Trust.

This is a school that puts language around wellbeing, behaviour, and relationships, rather than leaving these as vague pastoral intentions. The behaviour approach referenced in official reporting uses the principles “safe, seen, soothed and secure”, which signals an emphasis on emotional regulation and consistent adult responses, not just sanctions.

Curriculum K is a visible part of identity. The school sets out clear ambitions for reading, writing, maths, science, technology, and communication, alongside physical and emotional health. For families who want a primary that takes physical activity and mental health seriously, this is likely to feel like a strong match; for those who prefer a more traditional framing, it is worth reading the curriculum detail carefully.

Day-to-day routines appear tightly organised. Gates open at 8.30am and close at 8.50am, with learning beginning from 8.45am; that precision tends to support calm starts for pupils, but it also means punctuality matters for working families juggling travel.

The outcomes suggest a school performing above England averages across the core measures families tend to look at first. In the latest KS2 picture recorded here:

• 82% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, versus 62% across England

• Reading scaled score: 107

• Maths scaled score: 108

• 95% reached the expected standard in science, versus 82% across England

• 33% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, versus 8% across England

On rankings, the school is ranked 2,377th in England and 36th in Newham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This level of performance sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

Curriculum K is not presented as a slogan, it is described as both “what we teach and how we teach”, with the four strands shaping content and classroom practice. The published curriculum description places early reading at the centre, with a sequenced start in Nursery and Reception, then an explicit emphasis on children communicating their thinking across subjects.

A practical implication for parents is that learning is framed as more than English and maths. Health sits as a defined curriculum strand, and communication includes art and music, which can appeal to children who gain confidence through speaking, performance, or creative work, not only written outcomes.

For pupils who join mid-year, the school’s published inspection evidence highlights strong systems for inclusion, language development, and helping children settle quickly, which matters in a borough with high mobility.

This is a primary with an explicit secondary-transition focus built into its curriculum intent, and it also states that it works closely with two main secondary schools, Plashet and Little Ilford.

For families thinking ahead, that relationship can help with practical transition work, shared expectations, and a clearer sense of local pathways. For children who may apply across boroughs, Newham follows the Pan-London coordinated process for secondary transfer, and the school signposts families to that system.

Reception entry is coordinated through the London Borough of Newham (or your home borough if you live outside Newham). The school highlights the key dates for September 2026 entry: the eAdmissions portal opens 1 September 2025, the national closing date is 15 January 2026, and national offer day is 16 April 2026.

Demand indicators here point to competition. The most recent admissions data recorded here shows 199 applications for 90 offers, which equates to about 2.21 applications per place, and the entry route is marked oversubscribed.

Nursery is available, but it is important to separate Nursery entry from Reception entry. The school explicitly notes that families must still apply for Reception even if a child already attends Nursery, and Reception places are not reserved.

Nursery applications for September 2026 are handled directly, with an application deadline of 1 March 2026 stated on the school’s admissions page. The school also notes that a limited number of government-funded 30-hour places are available for eligible families.

Parents comparing options on distance should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check how their home address measures up in practice, then sanity-check against Newham’s published criteria for the relevant year of entry.

Wellbeing is positioned as structural, not an add-on. Curriculum K explicitly includes physical and emotional health, and the school’s behaviour approach is framed around helping pupils regulate emotions and manage behaviour with consistent adult support.

The most recent Ofsted inspection (1 and 2 December 2021) confirmed the school continues to be Outstanding.

Safeguarding is described as effective in that same report, alongside a culture where pupils say they feel safe and know how to seek help.

Enrichment is not limited to the usual headline clubs. Official reporting references before and after-school activities including gymnastics, drones and technology, and investigators and inventors, which gives a useful clue about the school’s wider priorities, sport, STEM curiosity, and structured exploration.

Wraparound is clearly set out. Breakfast club runs from 7.30am to 8.30am and is priced at £1 per child per day. The school also offers a “6 o’clock club” from 3.15pm to 6.00pm at £15 per child per day (contracted).

The calendar and communications indicate regular school events and trips during the year (for example, residential-style activity blocks appear in the calendar), which can matter for families looking for broadened experiences beyond the classroom.

The core school day runs 8.50am to 3.15pm, with gates opening at 8.30am and closing at 8.50am.

Nursery session times are published separately: 8.30am to 11.30am (morning) and 12.30pm to 3.30pm (afternoon).

For transport planning, families should assume a typical London school run pattern, walking and local public transport are common, while driving close to start and finish times can be slower on residential streets.

• Competition for Reception places. Recorded demand is higher than capacity on the Reception entry route, so families should use all preferences strategically and meet deadlines.

• Nursery is not a back door to Reception. The school states you must still apply for Reception even if your child attends Nursery; places are not reserved.

• A wellbeing-led approach shapes the whole offer. Curriculum K makes health and communication central, which suits many children, but families who want a more traditional framing should read the curriculum detail carefully before committing.

• Punctuality matters. With gates closing at 8.50am and a structured start, late arrivals can be disruptive for younger pupils.

A high-performing state primary with a clear identity: strong core outcomes, plus a deliberate emphasis on physical and emotional health through Curriculum K. Best suited to families who want ambitious KS2 results in a large, structured setting, and who value a school that takes wellbeing seriously as part of the curriculum, not just pastoral messaging. Entry remains the limiting factor; the education is compelling for those who secure a place.