Want to know which are 2024’s highest performing primary schools near you?

Looking for your nearest best primary schools uk / best schools in uk primary? First thing you need to know is your local catchment area? And then establish which schools are within that catchment area.

Top Sunday Times primary school league tables 2024

Looking for the best primary schools for your child? Wondering whether any top primary schools are nearby?

Use the Sunday Times league tables primary school league tables / league table of primary schools.

• SEARCH here for the most useful primary school entry test practice.
• How to interpret school league tables. What else to consider.

Who are School Entrance Tests video?

We speak as expert test developers ourselves. In fact you can contact our Founder, Rob Williams, at passedpapers@gmail.com

Which are the UK’s top primary schools?

The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph websites allow you to add filters to their published league tables. You can pull out those schools for which you are in the catchment area. Then compare your chosen school group on those criteria which are most important to you.

How do I interpret primary school league tables?

The London independent school league table rankings are based on the latest exam results.

Check Ofsted Reports for top primary schools

What are Ofsted reports?

• Well firstly these are something that you must check for each independent school of interest.
• Each Ofsted report is an analysis of that school’s teachers’ professional competence
• Plus, how well performance standards have been met across the independent school. There are three possible outcomes: under-achieving; achieving; or outstanding.

What do primary school league tables mean?

The primary school league table rankings are based on national key standards, called the SATs. Non-exam based criteria are also used to determine the rankings.

Sunday Times Primary Schools League Table 2024

1 Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School
2 Lowbrook Academy
3 St Stephen’s Primary School, East Ham
4 St Andrew’s RC Primary School, Streatham

5 Judith Kerr Primary School
6 St Ives Primary and Nursery School
7 The Russell School
8 Carlton Junior and Infant School
9 Hartwell Primary School
10 South Farnham School

Primary School League Table 2023

1 St Antony’s RC Primary School, Forest Gate, London
2 St Stephen’s School, East Ham, London
3 Mayflower Primary School, London
4 St Anne’s RC Primary School, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield
5= Courtland School, London
5= Fox Primary School, London
7 Lowbrook Academy, Maidenhead
8 Bevington Primary School, London
9 Hampden Gurney C of E Primary School, London
10 Thomas Jones Primary School, London
11 South Farnham School, Farnham
12 Colville Primary School, London
13= Oratory RC Primary School, London
13= St Barnabas and St Paul’s C of E VA Primary School, Blackburn
15= Nicol Mere School, Wigan
15= St John Fisher School, Thamesmead, Erith
17= Evelyn Street Community Primary School, Warrington
17= St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Willesden, London
19= Portswood Primary School, Southampton
19= Scotts Primary School, Hornchurch

Top tips of what to look for in a good school

Our Primary school tip one – School Principal who greets pupils at the school gate

For primary schools, consider visiting during drop-off or pick-up. Observe the atmosphere and interactions between staff and children. A happy school often has happy teachers, which can lead to happier pupils.

On open days, pay attention to the overall vibe. Are staff and students relaxed and engaged? High anxiety schools may be easy to spot in how staff behave when the headteacher is present. A great head creates a positive school climate and culture. Listen to how they talk about their role. Do they focus solely on academic achievements or also prioritize student well-being and non-academic progress?

Primary school tip two – pupils’ mental health is taken seriously

Mental health is a growing concern among young people. One in five children aged 8 to 16 experiences a probable mental health disorder. Finding a school that can identify and support struggling students is crucial. Ask parents and students about the school’s approach to mental health. Does it proactively teach emotional coping skills, or is it reactive, only intervening when problems become severe?

Look for schools with mental health training for staff, including nurses, heads of year, and tutors. Ask students if they feel listened to and supported by adults when they have concerns.

Our primary school tip three – Top SEN Provision

Many children have special educational needs (SEN) and may require additional support. Look for schools where inclusivity is woven into the teaching, not just an afterthought. Be wary of any negativity towards SEN students.

Instead of relying solely on the school prospectus, schedule a meeting with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Listen closely to how they describe the children and the school’s approach to supporting different needs.

Here are some indicators of a good fit:

• Does the school offer a variety of learning styles and methods?
• Are there programs or resources specifically for SEN students?
• Is the staff trained to support children with different needs?
• Are there flexible arrangements, such as alternative uniform options for students with sensory sensitivities?

Primary school tip four – primary school pupils show you around

When visiting a school, observe if students are involved in showing visitors around. This can be a positive sign. Feel free to ask students about their experiences, how they feel valued, and what they like about the school. Their insights can be valuable.

Students can often provide honest feedback on open days. Ask about extracurricular activities, rewards, disciplinary procedures, and exam preparation.

Common signs of a bad school to look out for

Our Primary school tip five – school toilets are locked between primary school lessons

Schools often showcase their best classrooms for visitors. However, pay attention to the overall condition of the school.Are the buildings and grounds well-maintained? The restrooms, library, and dining hall can provide valuable insights.

If restrooms are locked between classes, inquire about the reason. This could indicate bullying, truancy, or vaping issues.The cleanliness and upkeep of school facilities reflect the school’s commitment to student well-being.

Primary school tip six – be wary if all the walls’ artwork is too perfect

Pay attention to the school’s artwork and noticeboards. They can reveal the school’s values and priorities. Even the arrangement of tables can provide clues about the learning environment. Look for evidence of a vibrant school life, with events like concerts, plays, and clubs. Avoid schools that rely heavily on rules and timetables.

The artwork on display should represent a diverse range of students, showcasing individual abilities and personalities.Avoid schools that only display ‘perfect’ examples of high achievers. This can be a sign of a less inclusive environment.

Primary school tip seven – there are few, if any, after school clubs

If your child has a talent for art, music, or sports, look for a school that supports these interests. Developing these skills can boost confidence and positively impact other areas of school life.

Extracurricular activities are essential for nurturing these talents. Consider visiting a school during after-school hours to observe the level of teacher involvement. A school with few teachers staying late may indicate limited extracurricular opportunities.

Primary school tip eight – under-performing pupils are eased out to improve school league table results

How are primary school league tables compiled?

It’s not so easy choosing the right primary school for your child, whether state or private. Although not the only way to judge a school, primary school league tables can give you a good indication of a school’s performance.

Here are a few such primary school league tables:

Telegraph state primary schools league table

A good place to start looking for a good primary school is the Telegraph’s Primary School League. Not only do they provide an interactive tool where you can search for the nearest outstanding schools. They also list the top 100 schools based on the percentage of learners that achieved the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. Then by the percentage of learners achieving a high score in reading and maths while working at greater depth in writing. They also include the Ofsted ratings.

According to the Telegraph’s Primary School League table, these are the top 5 state primary schools in the UK.

1. Boltons CofE School, Wigton, Cumbria – Good Ofsted
2. Wincle CofE Primary School, Macclesfield – Good Ofsted
3. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Stafford – Good Ofsted
4. Lanercost CofE Primary School, Brampton – Outstanding Ofsted
5. The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overy, London – Outstanding Ofsted

Prep Schools – Independent Primary Schools

However, if you are looking at Prep schools, the Best Schools league tables and the Tatlers School Guide might also be something that would interest you.

Firstly we look at the Best Schools league tables. They provide 3 different league tables for prep schools. The schools included in these tables are only the ones that share their leaver information.

• Top Boarding Preps
• The top London Preps
• Top All-Through Schools

Top Boarding Preps 2019

This table is based on how many leavers move onto top UK Secondary Schools. All of these boarding preps have more than 50 boarders.

1. Ashdown House Preparatory School in Forest Row, East Sussex (co-ed)
2. Caldicott School, Slough, Buckinghamshire (boys)
3. Cothill House School, Cohthill, Oxfordshire (boys)
4. Cottesmore School, West Sussex  (co-ed) TES Boarding School of the Year 2019
5. Eagle House School, Sandhurst, Berkshire (co-ed)
6. Edge Grove School, Aldenham, Watford, Berkshire (co-ed)
7. Elstree, Hertsmere, Hertfordshire  (boys)
8. Godstowe Prep School, High Wycombe  (girls)
9. Ludgrove School, Wokingham, Berkshire  (boys)
10. Papplewick School, Ascot (boys)
11. Summer Fields School, Summertown, Oxford (boys)

Primary school league tables – Best primary schools in UK – top primary schools in uk

The top London Preps 2019

This table is based on how many leavers go to top Secondary Schools. Only schools that share specific information on their leavers’ destinations are included in this list.

1. Sussex House – Boys to 13
2. Falkner House – Girls to 11
3. Bute House – Girls to 11
4. Arnold House – Boys to 13
5. Kensington Girls – Girls to 11
6. Garden House – Co-ed to 11
7. Hall School – Boys to 13
8. Broomfield House – Co-ed to 11
9. Glendower – Girls to 11
10. St Martin’s – Boys to 13

Top All-through Schools 2019

This show the top all-through schools. These are therefore all prep schools attached to top senior schools. The rankings below are based on the GCSE results of the attached secondary school from 2017.

1. Westminster Under School – Boys (7 – 13 year-olds)
2. North London Collegiate School – Girls (4-18 year-olds)
3. King’s College School – Boys (7 -16) – Co-ed (16-18 year-olds)
4. City of London School for Girls – Girls (7 – 18 year-olds)
5. St Paul’s Juniors (St Paul’s School) – Boys (7 – 13 year-olds)
6. Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls – Girls (4 – 18-year-olds)
7. South Hampstead High School – Girls – (4 – 18 year-olds)
8. Alleyn’s Junior School – Co-ed (4 – 18 year-olds)
9. Wimbledon High School – Girls (4 – 18 year-olds)
10. The Lady Eleanor Holles School – Girls (7-18 year-olds)

Tatlers London School Guide 2019

Secondly, we have a look at the Tatlers Top Prep School in London 2019. This is a very handy guide as they have a short description of each school. In this 15th edition of this popular guide, the following prep schools were at the top of the list.

1. Bassett House, Notting Hill
2. Broomwood Hall
3. Bute House
4. Dulwich Prep London
5. Eaton House the Manor Schools
6. Eaton Square School
7. L’Ecole de Battersea
8. Falkner House
9. Fulham Prep School
10. Garden House School
11. Glendower Prep School
12. The Hall School
13. Hornsby House
14. Kensington Prep School
15. Knightsbridge School
16. Newton Prep School
17. Norland Place School
18. Northcote Lodge
19. Notting Hill Prep School
20. Orchard House School

Primary school league tables – Best primary schools in UK – top primary schools in uk

Where can I find primary school league tables?

The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph websites allow you to add filters to their published league tables. You can pull out those schools for which you are in the catchment area. Then compare your chosen school group on those criteria which are most important to you.

You need to conduct your own analysis to determine which school best suits your child’s specific needs.

Ofsted Reports

Check the latest Ofsted report too. Each Ofsted report is an analysis of that school’s teachers’ professional competence  Plus, whether Ofsted’s performance standards have been met across the school. There are three possible outcomes: under-achieving; achieving; or outstanding.

To search you put in the name of any school. You then can access its history of Ofsted inspections and their associated scores, percentage of Progress 8 success, etc. 

How do I find the best primary school?

More refined searches are recommended. So, for primary schools, we advise checking the percentage of students meeting the expected standards. The national standard is 65%, so if the school you are checking exceeded that in its latest inspection?

If so, shortlist it as one option.

Doing this for all the primary schools in your catchment area.

You now have a shortlist of schools which can review at your leisure.

Provided this is a relatively short’ list, then visit each school for yourself.

Make your decision as much based on your own intuition and gut feel – as on the data described above.

Primarily, ask yourself whether the school atmosphere and ethos are a good fit for your child.

Looking for your best local schools?

Our best primary schools uk resources

We hope you found the following useful:

• Best primary schools uk / best schools in uk primary.
• Sunday Times league tables primary school league tables.
• League table of primary schools.