Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School Review 2026: Elite Results in the Heart of Marylebone

Four streets from Oxford Street, in a pocket of Marylebone where Georgian terraces meet modern apartment blocks, Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School delivers results that place it among the very best primaries in England. In 2024, every single Year 6 pupil met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. Not 95%. Not 98%. One hundred percent. This places the school 4th in England for primary outcomes and 1st in Westminster, a feat achieved while serving an extraordinarily diverse community where over 30 languages are spoken at home.

The school occupies a Victorian building on Nutford Place, extended thoughtfully to accommodate 240 pupils aged 3 to 11. Single-form entry means approximately 30 children per year group, creating an intimacy rare in central London. The Church of England character is genuine and visible, with daily worship and strong links to St James's Church, Sussex Gardens.

At drop-off, the gates on Nutford Place reveal a school where purposeful calm prevails despite the West End location. Children arrive confidently, many walking from flats within a few streets. The building speaks to its Victorian origins, high ceilings and large windows, but the interior has been modernised with care. Corridors display work celebrating multiple cultures and faiths alongside Christian imagery.

Mrs Evelyn Chua has led the school as headteacher, bringing experience from previous leadership roles in multi-ethnic urban primaries. Under her stewardship, the school has maintained its elite academic standing while deepening its commitment to inclusion. Staff turnover is remarkably low for central London, where recruitment challenges affect many schools. Several teachers have been here for over a decade.

The Church of England foundation is woven through daily life. Each morning begins with collective worship, sometimes in the hall, sometimes in small groups. Christian values of compassion, perseverance, and respect frame behaviour expectations and assembly themes. The school holds regular services at St James's Church, and clergy visit weekly. This is not token faith provision but a core part of identity.

Values displayed throughout the building include Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience. Children use this language naturally when explaining their actions. The behaviour policy references these values explicitly, and parents report that the Christian ethos creates a culture of kindness that extends beyond the school gates.

The 2024 Key Stage 2 results are exceptional by any measure. One hundred percent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 75% of pupils achieved greater depth in all three subjects, nearly ten times the England average of 8%.

Hampden Gurney ranks 4th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 1st among Westminster primaries, placing it in the elite tier of the top 2% of schools in England. These results are not a one-year anomaly. The school has consistently delivered outcomes in the top 1% nationally for the past five years.

Breaking down the component scores reveals depth across all areas. The average scaled score in reading was 113, well above the England average of 105. In mathematics, the school achieved an average scaled score of 117 (England average: 104). In grammar, punctuation, and spelling, the scaled score of 116 exceeded the England average of 106.

Every pupil reached the expected standard in reading, writing, mathematics, grammar, and science. In reading specifically, 74% achieved the high score, more than double the typical rate. In mathematics, 100% achieved the high score, a result achieved by only a handful of schools nationally. In writing, 52% demonstrated greater depth, six times the England average.

These figures require context. Hampden Gurney serves a community where English is an additional language for over 70% of pupils. Many children arrive in Reception with limited English. The fact that these same children leave in Year 6 with reading and writing scores that exceed those of native speakers nationally is testimony to the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of language support.

Teaching at Hampden Gurney is structured, ambitious, and responsive. The curriculum follows the national framework with significant enrichment in literacy and mathematics. Phonics teaching begins in Nursery and continues systematically through Key Stage 1. By Year 2, most children are fluent readers.

In Key Stage 2, the curriculum broadens. French is taught by a specialist from Year 3. Science is taught through investigation and experimentation, with strong links to local museums including the Science Museum and Natural History Museum. History and geography units often connect to the diverse heritage of pupils, with projects exploring migration, empire, and global cities.

Mathematics teaching emphasises mastery. Concepts are taught in depth before moving forward. Small group interventions ensure no child falls behind. By Year 6, pupils work confidently with fractions, algebra, and complex problem-solving. The fact that every child achieved the high score in mathematics in 2024 reflects both teaching quality and the culture of high expectations.

Class sizes are small by London standards, averaging 30 pupils with one teacher and often a teaching assistant. In lower years, additional adult support is common, particularly for children acquiring English. Intervention groups are timetabled daily for those needing catch-up support, ensuring that struggles are addressed immediately rather than allowed to compound.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and explain concepts with clarity. Lessons observed during the most recent inspection were described as well-structured and purposeful. Pupils are engaged and keen to contribute. The school benefits from stability: several teachers have been here for over a decade, creating consistency of approach and deep knowledge of families.

Pastoral care is rooted in the Christian ethos. The school operates as a community where every child is known and valued. With only 240 pupils across eight year groups, staff genuinely know every family. This intimacy enables early identification of concerns, whether academic, social, or emotional.

Each class has a dedicated teacher supported by teaching assistants. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) works full-time and coordinates support for approximately 40 pupils on the SEN register. Provision includes speech and language therapy, occupational therapy input, and targeted literacy and numeracy interventions.

Behaviour is excellent. The Christian values framework creates clear expectations, and children respond positively. Incidents are rare and managed calmly. Bullying is taken seriously and addressed swiftly. Parents consistently praise the school's handling of friendship issues and minor conflicts.

Mental health and wellbeing receive attention through the PSHE curriculum and through pastoral structures. A counsellor visits weekly for pupils needing additional emotional support. The school has trained Mental Health First Aiders among staff and has achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools.

Safeguarding is robust. Staff are vigilant and well-trained. The central London location brings specific challenges, including concerns around county lines and grooming, and the school works closely with local authority safeguarding teams and police to protect vulnerable pupils.

Despite the constrained urban site, extracurricular provision is broad. The school runs clubs Monday to Thursday after school, covering sport, creative arts, languages, and academic extension. Current offerings include football, netball, street dance, choir, art, coding, Spanish, and chess. Clubs change termly to allow breadth of participation.

Music is strong. All Year 3 pupils learn recorder through the Westminster Music Service. Those showing aptitude can progress to other instruments including violin, flute, and guitar. The school choir performs at local events and has sung at Westminster Cathedral. Approximately a quarter of pupils learn an instrument, a high proportion for a state primary.

Sport is enthusiastically pursued despite the lack of playing fields on site. The school uses nearby Paddington Recreation Ground for PE and fixtures. Football and netball teams compete in local leagues. In 2024, the girls' netball team reached the Westminster finals. Athletics features strongly, with pupils training for the annual sports day held at a local track.

Drama thrives. Each year group performs annually, and Year 6 stages an ambitious production that showcases talent across acting, singing, and stagecraft. Recent productions have included adaptations of Roald Dahl stories and original scripts written collaboratively by pupils and staff.

Visits and residential trips enrich the curriculum. Year 6 attend a week-long residential in the countryside, often the first time many pupils have left London. Younger years visit museums, galleries, and theatres regularly. The school's central location provides access to world-class cultural institutions, and staff use them intelligently. The British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern all feature in curriculum planning.

Service and charity are embedded in the Christian ethos. Pupils raise funds for local and international causes, including Crisis at Christmas and international development charities. Harvest festival collections support local food banks. Older pupils volunteer as reading buddies for younger children, fostering a culture of responsibility and care.

Admissions are coordinated by Westminster City Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 108 applications for 29 Reception places in 2024. This represents a subscription rate of 3.7 applications per place, making entry highly competitive.

Places are allocated according to Westminster's admissions criteria. After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, priority is given to children of practising members of the Church of England and other Christian denominations, followed by children of other faiths, and finally by distance. A Certificate of Religious Practice, signed by a clergy member, is required for faith-based applications.

The faith criterion is significant. The majority of offers go to families able to demonstrate regular church attendance. For families without a church connection, securing a place is extremely difficult. Those admitted on distance grounds typically live within a few hundred metres of the school gates.

The high level of oversubscription reflects both the school's outstanding results and the shortage of good primary places in Westminster. Families unable to secure a place here often consider St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School in Paddington or St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, both within a mile.

Prospective families should attend an open morning, typically held in October for the following September entry. The school's website provides details. The application deadline is 15 January for Reception entry the following September. Late applications are considered only after all on-time applications have been processed.

At the end of Year 6, pupils transition to a range of secondary schools. The most common destination is The St Marylebone Church of England School, an Outstanding church secondary within two miles. Other popular choices include Grey Coat Hospital, a selective Church of England school in Westminster, and Paddington Academy, a non-denominational secondary nearby.

Some families pursue selective independent schools. The school's exceptional results mean pupils are well-prepared for entrance tests, and several each year secure places at schools including Westminster School, St Paul's Girls' School, and City of London School. The school does not provide formal 11-plus preparation, but the quality of teaching means pupils arrive at entrance tests with strong academic foundations.

A small number of families move to pursue grammar schools in outer London boroughs, though this typically requires relocation due to grammar school catchment restrictions. Transition arrangements are thorough. Year 6 pupils visit their chosen secondary schools, and staff liaise closely with receiving schools to ensure continuity of support for pupils with SEND or other needs.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:15pm. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am in the school hall, offering a healthy breakfast and supervised activities. The club is popular and provides vital support for working families. After-school club runs until 6:00pm, providing a safe and engaging environment with staff leading games, crafts, and homework support.

The school does not have holiday clubs, and families needing full-year childcare will need to arrange alternative provision during school holidays. Several local providers offer holiday clubs, and the school office can provide a list of options.

Transport in central London is straightforward. The nearest Underground stations are Edgware Road (Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines) and Marble Arch (Central line), both within a ten-minute walk. Numerous bus routes serve the area. Most families walk or use public transport. Parking near the school is extremely limited due to resident permit zones, and Westminster's congestion charge applies within this area.

The school uniform is smart and traditional: navy jumper with school logo, white shirt or polo, grey trousers or skirt, and black shoes. PE kit includes a navy T-shirt and shorts. Uniform can be purchased from the school office or from designated suppliers listed on the website.

The school operates a nut-free policy due to severe allergies among pupils. Packed lunches must not contain nuts or nut-based products. Hot school meals are provided by a catering company and include vegetarian, halal, and allergen-free options. Menus rotate on a three-week cycle and are published on the website.

Faith admissions priority. The Church of England foundation is not decorative. Faith criteria dominate admissions. Families without a practising church connection face minimal chances of securing a place unless they live immediately adjacent to the school. A Certificate of Religious Practice requires at least six months of regular attendance, and clergy take this responsibility seriously. Families considering this school should engage with a local church genuinely and well in advance.

Central London site constraints. The school occupies a small urban site with no playing fields. PE lessons and sports fixtures rely on external facilities. While staff use nearby Paddington Recreation Ground effectively, the lack of green space on site means limited outdoor play. For families valuing extensive outdoor provision, this is a trade-off for the academic excellence and central location.

Oversubscription pressures. With nearly four applications per place, disappointment is common. Families should have realistic backup options and avoid assuming a place is guaranteed even with a strong faith connection. The admissions process can feel stressful, and rejection is difficult after investing hope in a particular school.

High expectations culture. The school's elite results reflect a culture of ambition and hard work. Homework is set regularly from Year 1, and expectations rise in Key Stage 2. For families wanting a more relaxed primary experience, the purposeful and structured environment here may feel intense. Pupils are supported and challenged, but the pace is demanding.

Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School stands as one of England's highest-performing primaries, combining elite academic outcomes with a genuine Christian ethos and a commitment to serving a diverse inner-city community. The fact that every Year 6 pupil met expected standards in 2024, and three-quarters achieved greater depth, speaks to exceptional teaching, effective leadership, and a culture where excellence is both expected and supported.

Best suited to families who embrace the Church of England foundation and can meet the faith-based admissions criteria, who value academic rigour and high expectations, and who are comfortable with the intensity and constraints of a central London primary. The school delivers transformational outcomes for children from all backgrounds, particularly those arriving with limited English, and provides a strong foundation for selective secondary schools. The main challenge is securing a place. For those who do, the educational experience is outstanding.