Gainsborough Primary School
London, E9 5ND · Hackney · primary school
Check the area around this school
48th of 50 primary schools in Hackney we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.9/10 against 1,246 of them, against 2.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 57.0 · 32 | 40% | 1.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Gainsborough Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Forest School and Ice Hockey, with trips to Kench Hill and the Pantomime.
Getting in
The published school roll is 308 pupils against a stated capacity of 320. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to progress from the expected standard to the higher standard? What specific support is available for pupils who are not yet meeting expected standards in maths? How does the Forest School curriculum integrate with the main academic timetable?
What Ofsted said about Gainsborough Primary School
Overview
Gainsborough Primary School is judged to be ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Pupils enjoy ‘warm and respectful relationships’ with staff and feel ‘listened to’ and safe within a diverse community. The school provides an ‘ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum’ that generally prepares pupils well for future learning, supported by strong leadership and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘typically well sequenced’, allowing pupils to revisit and embed important ideas, particularly in science and mathematics.
- A ‘systematic approach to reading’ is in place, with staff implementing the phonics programme with ‘fidelity and precision’, helping pupils develop accuracy, fluency, and a ‘love of reading’.
- ‘Effective mechanisms’ support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with staff making appropriate adaptations to help them access the planned curriculum.
- Pupils’ ‘broader personal development is a strength’, with opportunities to learn about diverse faiths, relationships, and to take on leadership roles such as ‘reader rangers’ or sports ambassadors.
- Leaders ‘understand and fulfil their statutory duties effectively’, ensuring staff feel well supported regarding workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, ‘curriculum design is not as precise’, meaning key ideas are not well defined and teachers do not consistently focus on the most important concepts.
- Leaders should ensure they ‘identify the component knowledge they expect pupils to learn across the curriculum’ to help pupils develop a deep body of knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with ‘robust and rigorous’ procedures, well-trained staff, and effective record-keeping to track concerns and referrals.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 68% |
| 2024/25 | 57% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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