Best primary schools in Richmond
Congrats! Richmond primaries are often rated as the jewel in the borough’s educational crown, reflected in positive KS2 scores, with almost all schools exceeding the national average. The downside is needing to live close to your first-choice school. The upside is that your backup choices are probably very good too.
Richmond’s top primary schools
To name just a few strong performers: Marshgate Primary School (big, energetic and successful), The King’s Church of England Primary School in Kew (name changes with the monarch – was called Queen’s School until 2022), Meadlands Primary School (single-form entry in the heart of picturesque Ham), St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School (weeny but wonderful), The Vineyard School (a central Richmond treasure with surprisingly luscious grounds), The Russell Primary School (praised for its relaxed and welcoming approach), and Holy Trinity CofE Primary School (vibrant, creative and nurturing). And almost all Richmond primaries whose results aren’t quite as high-calibre perform at or above the national average.
Parents love the academics, of course, and so good are Richmond’s primaries that they can be an effective springboard for entrance to fee-paying senior schools (lists of destination schools are well worth a read). Also notable are the substantial add-ons, extensive clubs and activities among them.
Schools being oversubscribed can be an issue, though less so in recent years, but most apply to their nearest school and get in. Home-to-school distance is given precedence in most oversubscription policies but some schools operate complex faith-based criteria. Downloading admissions policies and reading them before committing to a new home in Richmond may make your eyes bleed but will undoubtedly be time well-spent.
State primary schools for children with Special Educational Needs (Richmond)
Schools take huge pride in their expertise in pastoral care and wellbeing, many recruiting ELSAs (teaching assistants with special training in emotional literacy). Those praised for their approach include The Russell School (has its own sensory room) and Meadlands Primary School, felt to be particularly inclusive with a sensitive approach to, and investment in, mental health.
Resource provision (exclusively for pupils with EHCPs) is offered by Darell Primary School (moderate learning difficulties) and The Vineyard School (social communication needs, including autism), and also at East Sheen Primary School, Hampton Hill Junior School, Heathfield Schools Infant and Junior schools, St James’s Catholic Primary School and Stanley Primary School.
The local authority’s special schools catering for primary age pupils are Clarendon School (for pupils with moderate learning difficulties), Strathmore School (severe and complex learning difficulties) and Capella House School (speech, language and communication). The London River Academy, an all-through school for children with social, emotional and mental health needs, is due to open in 2027.