The King's Church of England Primary School: Strong Academic Performance in Kew

The King's Church of England Primary School ranks 642nd in England for Key Stage 2 outcomes, placing it in the top 4% nationally (FindMySchool ranking). The July 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded Good overall, with the inspectors praising how pupils "thrive" and noting that the school's Christian values are genuinely "lived out daily." The school is substantially oversubscribed, with 135 applications for just 60 Reception places, reflecting strong local demand. Two-form entry across each year group means approximately 28 pupils per class, with specialist teaching in music and sport supplementing the class teacher model. Wraparound care is available from 7:45am for families needing before and after-school provision, and on-site catering provides daily hot meal options. The school's admission process is competitive; families should verify current distance thresholds with Richmond upon Thames Local Authority if catchment area is a consideration. This is a state school with no tuition fees.

The school has served the Kew community continuously for over 200 years, establishing deep roots in the parish of St Anne's Church. That heritage shapes daily life without overwhelming it; tradition and innovation coexist comfortably here. Pupils describe the environment as genuinely welcoming, with staff who know each child by name and who respond quickly to any concerns. The inspection team noted the "mutual respect between staff and pupils, as well as their confidence when discussing their learning," a hallmark of schools where rigour and relationship both matter.

The Christian ethos is pervasive but inclusive. The school welcomes families from all faiths and none, celebrating religious and cultural diversity as integral to community life. Daily collective worship offers time for reflection on Christianity, other world faiths and current issues. Vicars from the linked parishes of St Anne's and St Luke's lead worship weekly and remain actively involved in school life. Teachers and pupils also lead services, embedding spiritual practice as a shared responsibility rather than something done to the children.

Behaviour is exceptional. Pupils exhibit genuine respect and kindness toward one another and staff, with bullying described as rare and dealt with swiftly when it occurs. Leadership development begins early; pupils serve on the School Council, act as Eco-Ambassadors or Play Leaders, and contribute to the local community through initiatives supporting those experiencing homelessness. Ms Karen Verge leads the school as Headteacher, supported by a staff team with a strong balance of long-serving experienced teachers and newer arrivals.

Key Stage 2 Results

In the most recent academic year, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 61%. Breaking this down: 88% reached expected standard in reading (England average 62%), 86% in mathematics (England average 62%), and 95% in grammar, punctuation and spelling (England average 75%).

At the higher standard, 48% of pupils achieved greater depth across reading, maths and GPS — substantially above the England average of 8%. Reading scaled score averaged 109 (England 100), mathematics 108 (England 101), and grammar, punctuation and spelling 112 (England 101). These figures place the school in the elite tier nationally (top 4%, FindMySchool data).

Locally, the school ranks 11th among Richmond primaries, confirming its position as a genuine top-tier performer in the borough. The Ofsted inspection team specifically commended the school's "strong focus on early reading, with effective staff training ensuring pupils read books aligned with their phonics knowledge," a practice that fosters genuine enthusiasm for reading from Reception onward.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. Art and music are taught as discrete subjects to all pupils from Reception upward, not marginalised into occasional lessons. Most subjects are taught separately, though teachers actively link learning across subjects where it deepens understanding. The school places particular emphasis on early reading, with systematic phonics teaching and careful assessment ensuring pupils progress at appropriate pace.

Teachers exhibit strong subject knowledge and employ effective instructional strategies. Older pupils demonstrate notably deep understanding of mathematical concepts. The school uses structured questioning and regular assessment to check understanding, with additional support deployed where gaps emerge. Leadership has implemented thoughtful changes to promote consistency in teaching practices across year groups, so pupils experience cumulative skill-building rather than repetition or gaps.

Class sizes average 28 pupils, with each year group split into two classes. Teaching assistants support learning across the school, enabling differentiation within mixed-ability classes. Pupils with additional needs receive both high-quality classroom teaching and, where appropriate, targeted small-group or one-to-one support through the school's SEND provision. The school is ambitious for all pupils, a commitment reflected in the strong national outcomes achieved by pupils with and without identified additional needs.

Music is a defining strength. Two full orchestras and two choirs operate across the school, offering genuine musical education beyond the curriculum baseline. Art, drama and dance are integrated into other subjects, ensuring creative practice is woven through learning rather than confined to Friday afternoons. The school offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year, with competitive teams in major sports running from Year 3 onward. Leadership ensures all pupils can participate in sports, music and creative activities, not just the most talented.

Pupils take on leadership roles through the Student Council, where they influence school decisions, and as Eco-Ambassadors, where environmental responsibility becomes active practice rather than passive learning. Play Leaders oversee peer play at break times, developing social confidence and inclusive behaviour. The School Council meets regularly and pupils report that their ideas are genuinely taken forward; this matters to children.

The school has achieved School Games Mark Gold Level recognition for its commitment to competitive sport and physical activity, and holds Eco Schools status for environmental initiatives. Music Mark accreditation reflects the breadth of musical opportunity. The school holds Travel for Life Gold status, indicating strong promotion of active and sustainable travel. These recognitions are not mere certificates on walls; they represent embedded practices that shape daily experience. The school's approach to enrichment means pupils leave Year 6 confident in multiple domains: academically strong, creatively capable, physically active and socially responsible.

The vast majority progress to state secondary schools, with Christ's Church of England Comprehensive Secondary School (1.4 miles away) receiving the largest intake. For families interested in selective education, Brentford School for Girls (1.7 miles) and other grammar options remain accessible, though no formal grammar school preparation is built into the curriculum. The school emphasises that strong foundational teaching and high attainment prepare pupils for any secondary pathway, without needing external tutoring. The school maintains strong relationships with secondary colleagues, facilitating smooth transition for all leavers.

This school is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent year, 135 families applied for 60 Reception places — a 2.25:1 ratio — with the vast majority naming the school as their first preference. The school is a Voluntary Aided Church of England school, which means the admissions process includes faith considerations after Looked After Children and siblings. Parents seeking a place should contact Richmond upon Thames Local Authority for current distance data and admissions criteria. The school's website provides a virtual tour and further information about the application process.

Places on FindMySchoolMap can help you verify your distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered in previous years, though admissions thresholds shift annually based on applicant distribution.

The school prioritises mental health and wellbeing through dedicated teaching and specialist staff support. Emotion Coaching and Restorative Approaches shape behaviour management, creating an environment where conflicts are resolved through dialogue rather than punishment. Trained Mental Health First Aiders and an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) provide individual and group support for pupils, addressing anxiety, friendship difficulties and emotional regulation. The school uses "Zones of Regulation" consistently across classes, giving pupils a shared language for identifying and managing emotional states.

Teachers and support staff take joint responsibility for safeguarding and wellbeing. The school works closely with families, hosting parent workshops to help adults understand the curriculum and support learning at home. Early concerns are flagged and addressed collaboratively, with prompt escalation to external agencies where needed.

The school day runs 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast club opens from 7:45am; after-school club runs until 6pm on weekdays. Both are staffed by school team members and provide consistent care. Holidays clubs operate during main school breaks.

Lunches are cooked on site daily by dedicated kitchen staff, offering daily menu choices. Free school meals are provided to all Early Years and Key Stage 1 pupils (Reception through Year 2) via government funding. Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3-6) may bring packed lunches or purchase school meals. Special dietary requirements are routinely accommodated.

Nearest transport links include Kew Bridge Railway Station (approximately 0.8 miles), with bus routes serving the area. On-site parking is limited, though the school actively encourages walking, cycling and public transport via its Travel for Life Gold status. Many families walk to school, particularly those within the immediate Kew neighbourhood.

Oversubscription is intense. With 135 applications for 60 places, distance and admissions criteria are critical. Families should verify current distances before assuming a place is available. The school's fairness in admissions means siblings are prioritised and distance acts as the main separator after faith considerations, so families outside the local area may struggle to secure places.

Music and arts are taught broadly but as part of the curriculum, not specialist pathways. Whilst two orchestras and two choirs exist, these are open to all interested pupils, not audition-based elite ensembles. Families seeking intensive specialist music tuition or conservatoire preparation may need to supplement school learning.

The school is located in a fairly busy area of Kew. Traffic and air quality are noted in external data as above average for London, reflecting proximity to major roads. This is typical for an inner London primary but worth acknowledging for families prioritising quiet green settings.

The King's Church of England Primary School delivers excellent primary education rooted in genuine Christian values, strong teaching and genuinely inclusive practice. The July 2024 inspection confirms it as a Good school with two areas rated Outstanding. Results place it in the top 4% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), with particular strength in reading, writing and mathematics. The school balances academic rigour with real care for the whole child; pupils leave Year 6 not only achieving highly but confident, kind and ready for the next chapter.

Best suited to families living within reasonable proximity to Kew who value a school where Christian ethos is lived authentically rather than superficially, and where strong academics are paired with genuine community. The main challenge is securing a place — oversubscription means proximity to school gates matters significantly. For those who succeed in gaining entry, the education is exceptional value given the outcomes and holistic attention to wellbeing.