Elizabeth Selby Infants' School
About Elizabeth Selby Infants' School
Elizabeth Selby Infants' School in Tower Hamlets is a state primary for children aged 2 to 7, currently home to 265 pupils against a capacity of 277, meaning it runs very close to full. The school serves a notably diverse community: 45.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average and a clear reflection of the local area's demographics. Demand is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 67 applications for 48 places, with all 48 first-preference families offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.4. That suggests a school that local parents actively want, even if it isn't the most selective in the borough. The headteacher is Shahi Ahmed, and the school has no religious character, making it a straightforward option for families of any background. A nursery provision is also on site, so children can join from age two, which is a practical bonus for working parents.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Mar 2023Latest monitoring visit (29 Mar 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 10 Jun 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:55 – 15:25
Breakfast club
08:00-08:55
After-school care
15:25-16:30
Source: elizabethselby.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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