Wilberforce Primary Review 2026, Westminster primary with elite KS2 outcomes and a broad, ambitious curriculum

Strong primary results and an ambitious curriculum are the story here. In FindMySchool’s primary outcomes ranking, Wilberforce Primary sits 138th in England and 5th in Westminster, placing it among the highest-performing in England (top 2%). KS2 outcomes are unusually high, with 92% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined (England average: 62%), alongside a notably large proportion reaching the higher standard.

It is also a school with a clear early years through Year 6 pathway. Nursery provision is on site, and the school day pattern is set out clearly, including wraparound options. As an academy within United Learning, leadership includes an Executive Principal alongside the day-to-day Head of School, a structure that often signals strong cross-school professional development and shared systems.

There is a strong “high expectations, high support” feel to the way the school presents itself, and the most recent formal review aligns with that. The curriculum is described as ambitious and broad, with subject teaching framed around careful sequencing and revisiting key concepts over time, so that pupils build secure knowledge rather than racing through topics.

The school places notable weight on integrity and responsibility. Pupil leadership is not tokenistic, it is built into how behaviour and community routines work, including a Year 6 Behaviour Panel and structured roles for older pupils supporting younger ones. These roles are practical, not performative, and they tend to suit children who like clear routines and take pride in being trusted.

Early years is treated as the start of that culture, rather than a separate “pre-school” experience. Nursery routines are framed around language development, early reading readiness, and establishing habits for learning. For families with a child starting at three, the benefit is continuity, children are learning the school’s expectations and ways of working well before Reception.

The results place Wilberforce Primary in rare territory for a state primary. At KS2, 92% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 54% reached greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 8%. Scaled scores are also strong, with reading at 109, mathematics at 110, and grammar, punctuation and spelling at 115.

FindMySchool’s ranking reflects this performance. Ranked 138th in England and 5th in Westminster for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data), the school sits in the elite tier, placing it in the top 2% of schools in England.

What this means for parents is practical. Children who enjoy challenge are likely to be stretched, and families who want a school where academic habits are formed early should find the approach reassuring. The trade-off, which some families will feel, is that high attainment environments can create a subtle sense of pace, particularly in upper key stage 2, even when the wider curriculum remains strong.

Curriculum design appears to be a central strength. The most recent inspection narrative describes key knowledge being identified carefully and then revisited over time to deepen understanding, with teachers emphasising precise vocabulary and checking for misconceptions quickly. That combination, clear teaching, disciplined retrieval, and rapid correction, is a reliable recipe for sustained high attainment.

Reading is treated as a whole-school priority, beginning in Nursery with structured language work and moving into phonics from the start of Reception. For families deciding between schools, this matters because early reading systems often set a child’s confidence trajectory for several years. Children who need additional support are expected to be identified quickly, with targeted help designed to prevent small gaps from becoming entrenched.

SEND support is also described as systematic. The school’s approach is framed around early identification, staff training, and classroom-level understanding of pupil needs. For parents of children with additional needs, this usually translates into fewer surprises and more predictable support, particularly when routines and interventions are clear.

For a primary school, “destinations” are about transition quality and local secondary options. A notable local feature is the relationship with Paddington Academy, with the school stating that since September 2023 Wilberforce pupils have received priority admission to Paddington Academy. That will be of interest to families who want a clearer line of sight to a specific secondary route, particularly if they prefer continuity of ethos and expectations across phases.

Beyond any specific link, the practical reality in Westminster is that families often weigh multiple secondary pathways, including academies, faith schools, and selective routes outside the borough. Wilberforce’s emphasis on vocabulary, reading, and structured teaching should transfer well to most secondary settings, especially for children moving into academically demanding environments.

If you are comparing likely secondary options, FindMySchool’s Local Hub pages and Comparison Tool can help you view nearby secondaries side-by-side, rather than relying on word-of-mouth.

Reception admissions are coordinated by Westminster, while Nursery applications are managed directly by the school, and in-year admissions sit across both the local authority and the school’s admissions team.

Demand data suggests competition for places. For the Reception entry route, there were 56 applications and 22 offers, which equates to around 2.55 applications per place. The school is flagged as oversubscribed so families should plan on this being a competitive option rather than a straightforward local default.

For September 2026 Reception entry in Westminster, the published deadline is 15 January 2026, with offers made on 16 April 2026, and the acceptance deadline set for 30 April 2026.

For visits, the school runs open events weekly and booking is required.

Pastoral structures are visible in two areas: behaviour culture and health education. The school describes explicit work around mental health and resilience, including workshops for pupils and parents. This type of family-facing provision tends to work best where communication is consistent and where expectations are applied evenly across classes.

Behaviour, as described in the most recent inspection narrative, is calm and purposeful, with older pupils holding meaningful responsibilities that reinforce empathy and community norms. For many children this is motivating. For children who find high-structure settings challenging, it is worth asking detailed questions about how the school supports regulation and reintegration after incidents, especially in the younger years.

Safeguarding is treated as a core priority in published documentation and in external review.

This is not a school that frames enrichment as a bolt-on. The programme described includes curriculum-linked educational visits for all pupils, performance opportunities, and a clear leadership ladder for children who want responsibility.

Specific examples help clarify the flavour. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 have worked with a visiting author to write and perform stories, and pupils in Years 4 and 5 have taken part in performances alongside a professional choir. Careers Week is also a distinctive feature for a primary setting, with professional visitors and workshops designed to widen pupils’ sense of possible futures.

In-school leadership roles are concrete, including School Council, Playground Buddies, and the Behaviour Panel. These roles create a culture where children practise decision-making and accountability, rather than just hearing about it in assemblies.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

The core school day runs 8:50am to 3:20pm for Reception to Year 6. Nursery runs 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday to Thursday, with a shorter Friday session ending at 11:45am.

Breakfast club runs 8:00am to 8:45am. After-school provision runs 3:20pm to 5:30pm and is delivered by an external provider, with published session prices ranging from £5 to £10 depending on timings.

For travel, the school notes Queen’s Park (Bakerloo line) and Kensal Rise (Overground) as the nearest stations, with a walkable commute from each, and multiple bus routes serving the area.

• Competitive entry. Reception demand data indicates more than two applications per place, so families should treat admission as uncertain and plan alternatives alongside it.

• High attainment expectations. The KS2 outcomes are extremely strong. Many children thrive in that culture; some families may want to ask how the school balances stretch with pressure in Year 5 and Year 6.

• Wraparound is structured and time-bound. Breakfast club and after-school provision have set operating times and published pricing, so it is worth checking fit with work patterns, especially for Nursery where Friday ends earlier.

• Secondary planning is part of the picture. The link to Paddington Academy will suit some families, while others will still want to map a wider set of secondary options early.

Wilberforce Primary is a high-performing Westminster primary with evidence of ambitious curriculum design, a strong reading and vocabulary focus, and a culture that gives pupils real responsibility. It will suit families who want clear routines, high expectations, and a school where enrichment and leadership are integrated into daily life. The main challenge is securing a place, so families should approach admissions strategically and keep a realistic shortlist alongside it.