Dorothy Gardner Nursery School
N/A
Capacity
70
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Dorothy Gardner Nursery School
Dorothy Gardner Nursery School is one of six state nursery schools in Westminster, and its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 placed it firmly within the upper tier of provision in the borough. While four of its local peers hold an Outstanding rating — including Mary Paterson Nursery School, which sits just 0.1 kilometres away — Dorothy Gardner itself earned a Good overall, with two Outstanding grades in personal development and behaviour and attitudes. The school is led by headteacher Ben Commins and serves 70 children aged two to five, with a mixed intake and no religious character. Just under a third of pupils (31.8 per cent) are eligible for free school meals, which is a significant proportion for a nursery setting and reflects the school’s role in supporting families across Westminster.
Academically, the school’s Ofsted report from May 2022 tells a clear story of improvement. The previous inspection in October 2018 rated the school as Requires Improvement across both leadership and management and overall effectiveness. The 2022 inspection saw those scores rise to Good, with personal development and behaviour and attitudes both judged Outstanding. The quality of education was rated Good, and leadership and management also reached Good. While the school does not publish Key Stage 2 or Progress 8 data — it is a nursery, after all — the inspection grades are the most relevant measure for this age group. The Outstanding marks for personal development and behaviour are particularly telling for a nursery, as they indicate strong foundations in social skills and emotional readiness, which are exactly what parents of two- to five-year-olds should be looking for.
The school offers a practical set of facilities for early years, including an outdoor playground, a sensory room, art studios, music rooms, a gymnasium and even a chapel. Sports provision includes swimming and gymnastics, and there is a gardening club. For children with additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions covering social, emotional and mental health, speech, language and communication, and autistic spectrum disorder — a reassuring breadth for parents whose children may need extra support at this young age. As a state nursery, admissions are handled through Westminster, and the school is not oversubscribed in the data provided. This is a school that suits families looking for a well-regarded local nursery with strong Ofsted outcomes, a clear improvement trajectory, and a practical, inclusive approach to early years education in central London.
Key Details
| School Type | Nursery (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 5 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | 293 Shirland Road, 293 Shirland Rd, London, Westminster, W9 3JY |
| Headteacher | Ben Commins |
| Local Authority | Westminster |
| Number of Pupils | 70 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 31.8% |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 Jul 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
3Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian21.5%
- Black17.1%
- Mixed12.9%
- White (other)5.7%
- White British4.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
42
Total schools
34
Oversubscribed
31
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dorothy Gardner Nursery School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for
Contact Information
293 Shirland Road, 293 Shirland Rd, London
Westminster, W9 3JY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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