Avanti Court Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence Rooted in Hindu Values

At drop off, the gates reveal a purposeful and calm start to the day as families arrive at Avanti Court Primary School. Located in Barkingside, within the London Borough of Redbridge, this large primary school serves over 600 pupils. It is part of the Avanti Schools Trust and is distinguished by its Hindu religious character, which informs both its ethical framework and daily routines.

The school academic performance is a significant draw for local families. In 2024, KS2 results placed the school among the top 10% of primaries in England, outperforming both local and national benchmarks by a substantial margin. Under the leadership of Head Teacher Mrs Deborah Walters, who has overseen a period of sustained high performance, the school has balanced rigorous academic expectations with a commitment to character formation and spiritual development.

The atmosphere at Avanti Court is defined by the Avanti Way, a philosophy focusing on educational excellence, character formation, and spiritual insight. This is not merely a theoretical framework; it is visible in the respectful interactions between staff and pupils and the emphasis on yoga and meditation as part of the standard school day. The school motto, Arise, Awake (Arise, Awake, and stop not until the goal is reached), reflects the high aspirations held for every child.

The physical environment is modern and well maintained, designed to accommodate a large pupil body while maintaining a sense of individual care. Corridors often feature displays of pupil work alongside spiritual artwork, reinforcing the dual focus on achievement and values. While the Hindu faith is central to the school identity, the intake is diverse. The school promotes a universalist approach to spirituality that encourages pupils to reflect on their own values and place in the world.

The 2024 KS2 results tell a story of exceptional achievement. At Avanti Court, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. This performance places the school 7th among all primaries in Redbridge and 626th in England (FindMySchool ranking), situating it well above the England average and within the top 10% of schools nationwide.

The depth of achievement is equally impressive. Over 35% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, more than quadruple the England average of 8%. Scaled scores reflect this strength, with an average of 112 in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and 109 in mathematics, both comfortably exceeding national benchmarks.

Teaching follows a structured and ambitious curriculum that prioritises core fluency in English and mathematics while maintaining breadth through specialist provision. A distinctive feature is the inclusion of Sanskrit and Yoga within the weekly timetable. Sanskrit is taught not just as a language but as a tool for cognitive development and cultural connection, while Yoga is integrated to support physical health and mental focus.

The curriculum is designed to be inclusive yet challenging. In the early years, the focus is on communication and language, ensuring a strong foundation for the transition into Key Stage 1. As pupils move through the school, there is a clear emphasis on developing independent thinking and resilience. Teachers use high quality resources and data driven interventions to ensure that those who may be falling behind are quickly supported, while higher attaining pupils are consistently stretched through complex problem solving and critical analysis.

Nursery Provision

Avanti Court provides integrated nursery provision, offering a gentle introduction to the school ethos for children aged three and four. The nursery environment is designed to stimulate curiosity through play based learning, with a heavy emphasis on outdoor exploration and social development.

Practitioners in the nursery focus on the EYFS framework, with a particular strength in personal, social, and emotional development. Children are introduced to the school core values from the outset, participating in age appropriate mindfulness activities and collective worship. For nursery fee details, parents should visit the school website. Government funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for further information on the 15 and 30 hour schemes.

As a primary school in Redbridge, a borough known for its selective secondary system, a significant number of pupils progress to local grammar schools, including Ilford County High and Woodford County High. The school strong KS2 results provide a solid foundation for those sitting the 11 plus, although the school maintains a balanced approach to ensure all pupils, regardless of their secondary destination, feel prepared for the transition.

For those moving to non selective secondaries, many progress to well regarded local academies such as Oaks Park or Barkingside High. The school coordinates closely with these secondary providers to ensure that pastoral information and academic data are shared, facilitating a smooth transition into Year 7.

Securing a place at Avanti Court is a competitive process. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 148 applications for 57 offers, making it significantly oversubscribed with a subscription proportion of 2.6 applications per place.

As a faith school, the admissions policy includes criteria related to Hindu practice, though a portion of places is typically available for those of other faiths or no faith under the community category. Parents must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if applying under the faith criteria. Redbridge Borough Council coordinates the main application process. Given the level of demand, parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their proximity to the school gates, as distance remains a key factor once faith criteria are met.

Wellbeing is woven into the fabric of the school through the practice of collective worship and mindfulness. The school approach to pastoral care is proactive rather than reactive, with a strong emphasis on character education. Pupils are taught the importance of empathy, self discipline, and gratitude, which contributes to a calm and orderly learning environment.

The school small group meditation sessions provide pupils with a regular opportunity to pause and reflect, which many parents find beneficial in the high pressure context of London primary education. Safeguarding is robust, and the school maintains strong links with external support agencies to ensure that pupils with additional needs or those facing emotional challenges receive timely and effective support.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied, with clubs typically running before and after school hours. These include sports such as football and netball, alongside creative pursuits like choir and art. The school focus on performance is evidenced by regular festivals and celebrations linked to the Hindu calendar, which provide opportunities for music, dance, and drama.

STEM activities are also a priority, with coding clubs and science challenges designed to spark interest in technical fields. The school utilizes its outdoor spaces for gardening and environmental projects, helping pupils to develop a sense of stewardship for the natural world.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:15pm. Wraparound care is available through an on site breakfast club starting from 7:30am and an after school club that runs until 6:00pm, providing essential flexibility for working parents.

The school is well served by local transport links, with Barkingside and Fairlop Underground stations (Central Line) within walking distance. However, parking around Carlton Drive is extremely limited during drop off and pick up times, and the school strongly encourages families to walk or use public transport.

• Significant Oversubscription: With over 2.5 applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle. Families applying under community criteria should be aware that the catchment area can be very tight.
• Faith Integration: The Hindu character of the school is genuine and pervasive. Families should be comfortable with daily yoga, meditation, and a vegetarian only food policy on the school site.
• Large School Feel: As a four form entry school, Avanti Court is much larger than the average primary. While this brings excellent facilities and specialist teaching, some children may find the scale of the school overwhelming compared to smaller, one form entry alternatives.
• Admissions Complexity: The dual track admissions system (Faith and Community) requires careful navigation. Missing the deadline for the Supplementary Information Form can significantly impact the chances of a successful application.

Avanti Court Primary School is an academic powerhouse that successfully integrates high stakes performance with a deeply held spiritual ethos. It outperforms the majority of schools in England and offers a unique cultural environment that many families find enriching. Best suited to families who value both academic rigour and a values based education rooted in Hindu traditions. The main challenge remains securing a place in this highly sought after London primary.