The system of education in Britain is a real magnet for most families from around the world and Most importantly, London attracts children of all ages into its world-famous schools.
Education is an important part of British life. There are so many primary schools in London and it is important to note that education for children between the ages of 5 to 16 is free and compulsory. Some of these children are educated at home while others in school.
Primary education begins at the age of five to 16.
Before we head on to the list of the best primary schools in London, let me take you through the early stages of education in Britain.
Check out: Top 100 secondary schools in England: A-Level & GCSE
Introduction to Education in England
Like we have discussed earlier, British children are required by law to have an education until they are 16 years old.
There is a national curriculum which all government-run schools are required to follow. The school year usually runs from September down to July-39 weeks long.
For most areas, there are usually about six terms:
- September to October
- October to December
- January to February
- February to March
- April to May
- June to July
There are holidays in-between, such as the Christmas break which lasts for 2 weeks, Spring break which lasts for 2 weeks also and then the summer break which lasts for about 6 weeks.
At the age of 11, children leave their primary schools and move on to secondary school. At the age of 16 , students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland take examinations called the GCSE .
After completing the GCSE, some students leave school while others go into technical colleges.
Also, some other students continue at high for two more years in order to take standardized examinations, known as the A Levels which is usually in three or four subjects.
These exams determine whether a student is eligible for university.
Primary Schools: 5-11 years old
Foundation Stage – Nursery, Reception, (Infants)Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2 (Infants)
Key Stage 2 -Years 3 – 6 (Juniors)
List of the best primary schools in London
These are the best primary schools in London and are ordered based on their key stage 2 results.
It was also ranked based on parent reviews, catchment areas, examination results and above all, their positions on the league table.
Here is the list of the best primary schools in London according to Lucrating.com:
- Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School
- Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School
- Hugh Myddelton Primary School
- The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overie
- Christ Church CofE Primary School
- Vauxhall Primary School
- St Clement Danes CofE Primary School
- Winton Primary School
- St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School
- Copenhagen Primary School
I will go ahead to give a brief review of these best primary schools in London
Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 45.9% boys 54.1% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 15.9
Percentage Free School Meals: 8.1%
This is one of the best primary schools in London that has a gained a good number of substantial national awards including the Challenge Award from the National Association for Able Children in Education for its work with able, gifted and talented pupils and the Activemark for its good physical activity provision.
There is Early Years Foundation provision for pupils in the Nursery and Reception classes.
Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School
Age range: 5-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 56.2% boys 43.8% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 20.5
Percentage Free School Meals: 3.3%
Hugh Myddelton Primary School
Age range: 2-11
Gender:Mixed
Gender ratio: 47.8% boys 52.2% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 18.4
Percentage Free School Meals: 49.1%
The school meets the government’s current floor standards which set the minimum expectations for the attainment and progress of pupils in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.
Teachers and teaching assistants are skilled and talented members of staff who ensure that all pupils make excellent progress, especially in reading, writing and mathematics which makes them one of the best primary schools in London.
Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for each stage in their education.
For the last two years, the attainment and progress of pupils at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 were well above the national average.
Hugh Myddelton Primary is now a place where teaching is excellent and pupils make astonishingly strong progress from their starting points.
The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overie
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 50.5% boys 49.5% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 17.3
Percentage Free School Meals: 19%
This is one of the best primary schools in London that has gained many awards including Healthy Schools, Activemark, Artsmark Gold, Sportsmark and an Eco Silver Award.
The school has established its own a special Arts Academy, known as Art Adventures and recently gained the International School Award.
It is an average sized school, situated in a socially and ethnically mixed community.
Christ Church CofE Primary School
Age range: 4-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 46.1% boys 53.9% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 17.1
Percentage Free School Meals: 10.2 %
The majority of pupils are White British but about 40% come from a wide range of other ethnic backgrounds, which is much higher than in most schools.
The school meets the government’s floor targets for pupils’ progress and attainment in English and mathematics.
Children in Reception are given a robust foundation in early literacy and numeracy.
The supportive but stimulating atmosphere within which they work enables children to thrive and develop resilience as learners and consequently, they are considered as one of the best primary schools in London.
Vauxhall Primary School
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 48.9% boys 51.1% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 16.2
Percentage Free School Meals: 58.3%
The school exceeds the government’s floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils’ attainment and progress.
All pupils, whatever their different needs and abilities, make excellent progress and have well-developed reading, writing and mathematics skills by the end of Year 6.
Teaching is highly effective. All staff know their pupils well.
St Clement Danes CofE Primary School
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 50.7% boys 49.3% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 17.8
Percentage Free School Meals: 21.6%
The school meets the government’s current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils’ attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
Teaching is consistently good and often outstanding.
Relationships with pupils are a real strength.
Pupils benefit from teachers’ secure subject knowledge, excellent behaviour management and regular feedback.
Winton Primary School
Age range: 2-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 55.1% boys 44.9% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 15.8
Percentage Free School Meals: 48%
Pupils are enthusiastic about their reading.
As a result, pupils’ inference and deduction skills are improving.
Teachers now give pupils ‘digging deeper’ questions as well as ‘speed’ questions which has continued to ensure that this school is among the best primary schools in London.
St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 42.9% boys 57.1% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 21.3
Percentage Free School Meals: 5.7%
This is one of the best primary schools in London with a very exciting, highly tailored curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils and contributes strongly to their enjoyment of learning.
Pupils feel very well supported and confident to achieve much because of the outstanding care, guidance and support they receive.
Copenhagen Primary School
Age range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
Gender ratio: 53.7% boys 46.3% girls
No of Pupils per teacher: 16.6
Percentage Free School Meals: 39.9
This is one of the best primary schools in London that provides childcare before and after school.
The school meets the government’s current floor standards that set the minimum expectations for pupils’ attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.
Pupils conduct themselves well in lessons and around the school.
They respond quickly to their teachers and are keen to answer questions.
Pupils develop a strong moral code and system of values.
Best primary schools in London by boroughs
This section of the article talks about the places in London where you will find the best primary schools in London.
It pays to be Savvy and pick areas that has high concentration of outstanding state schools.
In the prime London markets, buyers are prepared to over the odds to be within walking distances to the most highly regarded schools.
From statistics, in the year 2018, more than one in seven primary-school applicants in the capital were not able to get into the first choice schools and almost about 4% were not offered a place at any of their top three preferred schools.
This especially is one of the reasons why parents consider looking at areas with high concentration of excellent schools instead of having all their hopes in just one institution.
Across London, Ofsted rated most of the schools as outstanding- almost about 28%. But this
figure varies by borough from 54% in Kensington and Chelsea to only 10% in Barking and Dagenham.
Almost all primary schools in Camden and Tower Hamlets are currently rated above good. So, you see? Living there could be the best option for individuals who are looking to settle in an inner London neighborhood and who has schooling as a priority.
Moving on, if you are looking for the best primary schools in London, where are the best places to find them?
I have decided to talk about the best primary schools in London according to boroughs.
Best state primary schools in Camden
The proportion of outstanding schools in Camden is 41%. Below are some of the best primary schools in London in Camden.
In the list below, Primrose Hill Primary and Fitzjohn’s Primary School are the oldest primary schools in this borough with the best reputations.
In terms of senior Level, Camden School For Girls which is located in Kentish Town has the best of the facilities combined with great reputation as well.
- St Paul’s in Primrose Hill
- Primrose Hill Primary in Primrose Hill
- Fitzjohn’s Primary School in Hampstead
- Camden School For Girls in Kentish Town
- Abacus in Belsize Park
Best state primary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham
Lady Margaret’s girls’ school is extremely well located and Holy Cross is very accessible to parents as well.
- Lady Margaret’s in Parsons Green
- Holy Cross in Eel Brook Common.
Best state primary schools in Kensington & Chelsea
The following state schools are very popular and a definite draw for parents living in Kensington. These schools are excellent.
- Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington
- Bousfield Primary School in The Boltons
- Fox Primary School in Kensington Place
Best state primary schools in Lambeth
These schools are rated as outstanding and are located in the most trendy areas with a nice atmosphere.
- Telferscot Primary School in Streatham
- Henry Cavendish in Streatham
- St Mary’s Catholic School in Clapham
- Macaulay C of E Primary School in Clapham.
Best state primary schools in Richmond
Both The Vineyard and Marshgate in Richmond are rated outstanding by Ofsted and have a high percentage of acceptance.
They are very desirable and are located in Richmond Hill Triagangle that is one of the nicest areas to live in. Richmond is so popular as it’s really close to central London, but has the park and the river.
- The Vineyard School in Richmond
- Marshgate Primary School in Richmond
- Grey Court School in Ham
- Teddington School in Teddington
The best state primary schools in Wandsworth
- Ravenstone Primary School in Balham
- Rutherford House in Balham
- Henry Cavendish in Balham
- Honeywell Junior School in Battersea
- All Farthing Primary School in Wandsworth
- Swaffield School in Wandsworth
- Floreat Wandsworth in Earlsfield
- Beatrix Potter Primary School in Earlsfield.
What are the best state primary schools in London according to the percentage of high achievers?
The list below comprises of the the London’s highest performing state primary schools which are compiled based on the 2019 SATS test data for year 6 pupils.
This ranking and percentages is based on the number of pupils who achieved a high level of attainment in the core subjects-Writing, Reading and Maths.
It is considered as the best way of ranking the academic level of the pupils at the schools, even if it is not necessarily a result of the quality of teaching.
List of the state best primary schools in London with their Percentage of High Achievers
- Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School–63%
- St Antony’s Catholic Primary School—–63%
- St Anselm’s Catholic Primary School—–59%
- St Luke’s Church of England School——57%
- Fox Primary School——–48%
- Bousfield Primary School———47%
- St Mary’s CofE Primary School—–46%
- Mayflower Primary School——-44%
- Courtland School————43%
- St Stephen’s Primary School—–42%
- Barnes Primary School——42%
- Christ Church Primary School, Hampstead——-41%
- Bevington Primary School———-41%
- Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School—–40%
- Newton Farm Nursery, Infant and Junior School——40%
- St Mary Abbots CofE Primary School——39%
- Honeywell Junior School———39%
- Akiva School———————-39%
- Tollgate Primary School——-39%
- Yardley Primary School——–39%
- St Peter’s Primary School——38%
- Judith Kerr Primary School—–38%
- New City Primary School——–38%
- Hampstead Parochial Church of England Primary School—-37%
- Holy Trinity CofE Primary School—–37%
- Hugh Myddelton Primary School——36%
- Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School—-36%
- Townsend Primary School————36%
- All Saints’ CofE Primary School, Putney—-36%
- St Joseph’s RC Primary School——36%
- Our Lady of Grace Catholic Junior School—–36%
- Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park——36%
- Muswell Hill Primary School——–36%
- Dundonald Primary——36%
- Elm Wood School——-35%
- Riverley Primary School——35%
- Primrose Hill School——-34%
- Winton Primary School——34%
- Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School—–34%
- Belmont Primary School——34%
- Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School—34%
- East Sheen Primary School—–34%
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School—-34%
- Eleanor Palmer Primary School—33%
- St Stephen’s CofE Primary School—33%
- Good Shepherd RC Primary School–33%
- William Tyndale Primary School—-33%
- The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overy—-33%
- St Andrew’s CofE Primary, Totteridge—33%
- East Lane Primary School—33%
- Eden Primary—33%
- The Blue School CofE Primary—33%
- St James’s Roman Catholic Primary School—33%
- Westbourne Primary School—-33%
- St Mary’s CofE Primary School—33%
- Cuddington Croft Primary School—-33%
- Foxfield Primary School—-32%
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School—-32%
- St Joan of Arc RC Primary School—-32%
- Rhodes Avenue Primary School—–32%
- St James Church of England Primary School—-32%
- Sheen Mount Primary School—-32%
- St Stephen’s C E Primary School——32%
- The Queen’s Church of England Primary School—–32%
- Greenside Primary School——31%
- St Johns Walham Green CofE Primary—31%
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School—-31%
- Colville Primary School—–31%
- Thomas Jones Primary School—31%
- Dulwich Hamlet Junior School—–31%
- St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School—-31%
- Foulds School——31%
- Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School—-31%
- Rosh Pinah Primary School—–31%
- Churchfields Primary School—–31%
- St John’s CofE Primary School—–31%
- Grove Park Primary School—-31%
- St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School—31%
- Cheam Park Farm Primary Academy—31%
- Sherington Primary School—30%
- St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School—-30%
- St Peter’s Catholic Primary School—30%
- Grafton Primary School—-30%
- St John’s Highbury Vale CofE Primary School—-30%
- Telferscot Primary School—30%
- Parish Church of England Primary School—30%
- St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School—-30%
- Applegarth Academy——–30%
- Montpelier Primary School——30%
- Coldfall Primary School——30%
- Cavendish Primary School—–30%
- Wellington Primary School—–30%
- St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School——30%
- Curwen Primary School——30%
- Churchfields Junior School—-30%
- St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School—-30%
- St Alban’s Catholic Primary School——30%
- Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School—-29%
- St Barnabas and St Philip’s CofE Primary School—-29%
- Gatton (VA) Primary School——–29%
Top 5 Private/Independent Schools in the Central London Area
Anything that is related to the education of a child is an important decision.
Therefore it is always advised that parents think carefully before choosing any school in order to give their children the best start in life.
You might be wondering how you will do this, but the easiest way to check which schools are better in terms of success and in terms of how hard it is to get into is by checking the league tables.
There are private/independent schools in London and as a matter of fact, they are so many and consequently, there are several fantastic options, especially within the central London area in particular.
Therefore if you are looking for the best private or independent schools in London, therefore you have to consider the following.
List of Top 5 Private/Independent Schools in the Central London Area
- The King Alfred School – Golders Green
- St Christina’s School – Primrose Hill
- Arnold House School – St John’s Wood
- Kensington Preparatory School – Fulham
- North Bridge House Preparatory School – Regents Park
In Conclusion
London is a leading global education Centre and as such, you are sure to find the best primary schools in London.
There are best primary schools in London for international students as well.
Therefore, your child being a part of the large student population in London will sure be beneficial to you.
Leave a comment below. Let us know what you think about these best primary schools in London.