St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School, Weybridge

Four words sit central to this school’s identity, Grow, Learn, Work, Follow. They show up in daily expectations, behaviour routines, and how pupils talk about their responsibilities to one another. The Catholic character is not an add-on either; the school buildings are physically joined to Christ the Prince of Peace Church, and the mission statement centres prayer, worship, and service.

Academically, the headline is Key Stage 2. In the current 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. The school’s FindMySchool academic ranking places it 260th in England, while the overall primary ranking places it 798th nationally and 2nd in Weybridge.

Admissions are the pinch point. Reception has 30 places; there were 106 applications for 30 offers a ratio of 3.53 applications per place, which is classic oversubscription pressure for a small school. A nursery is on site for ages 3 to 4, but wraparound care is for Reception to Year 6 only.

The school’s Catholic life is expressed in plain language rather than grand claims. The mission statement commits pupils to growing in faith through praying and worshipping together, working hard, and following the example of Jesus in daily conduct. That matters for families weighing fit, because it suggests faith is embedded in routines, not limited to occasional liturgies.

Pastoral culture is a real strength. The most recent Ofsted inspection rated behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding and personal development as Outstanding, and described pupils as highly motivated to learn, with older pupils helping younger ones. One specific example in the report is the Whiz club, where pupils support younger children during playtimes, which is a practical, pupil-led model of responsibility rather than a poster slogan.

Leadership context is worth noting for 2026. The current Head of School is Miss Gemma Willcox, as named on the school website. Her induction as the new Head of School was marked in September 2025, giving a clear time anchor for families thinking about continuity and direction.

This is a state school, so the results are the key differentiator.

Key Stage 2 outcomes (2024-25 / 2025 dataset)

The combined measure is striking:

• 90% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

• 10% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined.

• Reading scaled score: 110.

• Maths scaled score: 110.

• Grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled score: 112.

Those scaled scores are well above typical national benchmarks, and the proportion hitting expected standard across core measures indicates strong consistency across the cohort, not just a high-achieving tail.

Rankings context

FindMySchool’s current academic ranking places the school 260th in England for primary academic performance, while the overall primary ranking places it 798th nationally and 2nd in Weybridge.

The practical implication for parents is that teaching and assessment routines are likely to be systematic. Schools that deliver near-universal expected standards usually have well-established phonics, a clear maths progression, and tight feedback loops, because small gaps cannot be allowed to persist.

Reading is treated as a non-negotiable. The latest inspection describes leaders as determined that pupils read fluently and develop a love of reading, supported by staff training and carefully matched books for phonics practice. The report also points to ongoing assessment that identifies gaps and triggers extra support, including for older pupils who still struggle with fluency.

Curriculum design appears deliberate across subjects. Ofsted describes an ambitious curriculum sequenced from early years onwards so pupils build knowledge over time, with teachers typically checking understanding carefully and planning reinforcement where needed. The area to watch is also clearly signposted: in a small number of subjects, subject leadership has not supported teachers sufficiently to deliver the intended curriculum consistently, which can affect how well learning builds over time.

Trust support is part of the teaching model. The school joined Xavier Catholic Education Trust in 2016, and the inspection notes subject leaders develop expertise by working with trust specialists, with staff sharing ideas and experience. For parents, that can mean more consistency in curriculum planning and professional development than a standalone school can usually manage.

As a primary school, the main question is readiness for secondary transition. What matters here is not a published list of destinations, but the underlying preparation: fluent reading, secure writing stamina, and confident maths, plus personal development routines that help pupils manage change.

The personal development strand in the latest inspection includes purposeful experiences beyond the immediate community, including educational visits to places of worship such as a local mosque and synagogue, and visitors such as Paralympians speaking about goals and resilience. Those are good indicators of a curriculum that aims to build confidence and perspective, which usually supports smoother Year 7 transition.

Competition is real. Reception had 106 applications for 30 offers, with an oversubscription ratio of 3.53 applications per place.

How applications work for September 2027 entry

Surrey coordinates primary admissions. For families applying for Reception starting September 2027:

• Applications open from 03 November 2025.

• Applications open on 2 November 2026 and the on-time deadline is 15 January 2027.

• Offers are issued on 16 April 2027 (national offer day).

Because this is a Catholic school, you should also factor in supplementary evidence if you are applying under faith-based criteria. The admissions policy explains that Catholic doctrine and practice permeate the school’s activity, and that families applying under faith criteria must provide supporting documents such as evidence of baptism.

Visiting and open events

For September 2026 entry, the school published a set of school tour dates running from late September into January. The dates listed are now in the past as of 08 February 2026, but they show a clear pattern: tours typically run in late September, October, November, and into January for the following September intake. Families should check the website for the next cycle of tour dates and booking arrangements.

Nursery admissions

The nursery has its own admissions documents, including an application form for Nursery 2026/27. Nursery hours are published as session-based options.

The latest inspection describes pupils as behaving exceptionally well, with routines established from early years, adults modelling respect, and bullying described as rare and dealt with swiftly if it arises. Safeguarding arrangements are confirmed as effective, with pupils taught about risky situations and relationships, including online risk, and staff training and reporting systems described as effective.

For Catholic families, there is also a clear moral framework in day-to-day language. The mission statement explicitly links faith to conduct and service, which can provide a stable set of expectations for children who respond well to clear values.

High participation in clubs is noted in the latest inspection, with talents in academic, musical and sporting areas valued and celebrated. What makes this more concrete is the published clubs programme.

From the school’s clubs list for Spring Term 2026, examples include:

• Choir (Years 3 to 6), and Music Makers (Years 3 to 6).

• Dodgeball (Years 3 to 6), athletics (Years 3 to 6), cross country (Years 3 to 6), and multi-sports (Reception to Year 6).

• Netball (Years 4 to 6), plus football options including a girls football club and a separate football club.

• Cooking Club (Years 2 to 6), and Art and Craft (Years 1 to 2).

The implication for families is breadth without needing a huge school roll. With one form entry, children will not have endless parallel choices, but the mix here covers creative, performance, and physical activity, plus practical skills. There is also a clear route into instrumental tuition via Surrey Arts Music, referenced on the clubs information.

School day timings are clearly published. Gates open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am, with registration at 8.50am. End times vary slightly by phase, with Key Stage 1 finishing at 3.10pm, Years 3 to 4 at 3.15pm, and Years 5 to 6 at 3.20pm.

Wraparound care is available for Reception to Year 6 (not nursery). Breakfast Club runs Monday to Friday in term time, starting at 7.45am, with an early drop-off option from 7.30am. After School Club runs Monday to Thursday in term time until 5.45pm. Fees are published as £6.50 per session for Breakfast Club from 7.45am, £8.00 for the earlier start, and £15.50 per session for After School Club.

For nursery, published hours include morning, afternoon, and all-day session structures. Specific nursery fee amounts are not included here; families should use the school’s nursery admissions documents and the school website for current charging details, and consider government-funded hours where eligible.

• Oversubscription is a practical constraint. With 106 applications for 30 offers admission is competitive for a small school. Families should apply realistically and include a sensible spread of preferences.

• Faith criteria can matter. The admissions policy is explicit that the school is conducted as part of the Catholic Church, and applications under faith criteria require documentary evidence. This will suit many families well; others may prefer a less faith-led admissions context.

• Curriculum consistency is not identical in every subject. The latest inspection highlights that in a small number of subjects, teachers have not been supported sufficiently to deliver the intended curriculum as consistently as leaders intend. This is a specific improvement priority rather than a general weakness, but it is worth asking about in a tour.

• Nursery and wraparound do not overlap. Wraparound care is not open to nursery children, which can affect working-family logistics if you are hoping for a single extended-day solution from age 3.

For a small, one-form entry state primary, St Charles Borromeo delivers unusually strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, with a culture shaped by clear routines, strong behaviour, and a Catholic mission that is lived daily rather than treated as branding. It suits families seeking a faith-grounded primary experience, who value structure, reading focus, and strong academic foundations. The main hurdle is admission, not the education once a place is secured.

Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tool to view this school’s Key Stage 2 measures alongside nearby primaries, then use Map Search to sanity-check travel time and day-to-day logistics before committing to a shortlist.