St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School
London, N19 5RR · Islington · primary school
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26th of 38 primary schools in Islington we can score, 39 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 5.8/10 against 986 of them, against 4.3/10 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 | 58.0 · 35 | 40% | 1.40 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.79 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.44 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 8.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in August 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school offers a Buzz Club, football, and arts and crafts. It also provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 206 pupils against a stated capacity of 230. 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 bridge the gap between the current results and the national median? What specific activities take place during the Buzz Club? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School
Overview
St John’s Upper Holloway C of E Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a "small friendly school with the community at its heart." Leaders maintain high expectations for academic achievement and behaviour, fostering an environment where pupils are "kind and caring" and feel safe. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, preparing pupils well for later life, though some subject planning requires refinement.
Strengths
- Leaders have developed a "rich and broad" curriculum that is "logically sequenced" in most subjects, helping pupils build on prior knowledge.
- Staff effectively support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, enabling them to "achieve the same as their peers."
- Reading is prioritised through creative events and a consistent phonics scheme, with staff well-trained to help pupils develop fluency.
- The early years provision is "engaging, purposeful and fun," with adults fostering independence and extending learning through interactions.
- Staff feel part of a "close-knit team" and appreciate leadership support, including measures to manage workload.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, leaders have not identified specific skills for pupils to learn within units of work, resulting in gaps in learning. Leaders should "define these skills more sharply" so pupils can apply knowledge to complex ideas.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff who "know children and their families extremely well" and are vigilant regarding risks.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 80% |
| 2024/25 | 58% |
| 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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