Gillespie Primary School
88%
Capacity
208
Pupils
8.1x
Demand
About Gillespie Primary School
Gillespie Primary School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Islington community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 208 pupils on roll and is well-filled (88% of 236 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
the school is led by headteacher Mark Owen, it falls under Islington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 364th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 39 in Islington.
Gillespie Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 226 applications for 28 places, making it 8.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 52 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Gillespie Primary School include Music Rooms, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Rounders and 2 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Choir, Book Club, Coding.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.0%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Islington, Gillespie Primary School is one of the options available in the London region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Gillespie Road, London, Islington, N5 1LH |
| Headteacher | Mark Owen |
| Local Authority | Islington |
| Number of Pupils | 208 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.0% |
| School Capacity | 208 / 236 (88% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
7 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 13 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (89%)
364th of 13,686
Nationally
84th of 1,592
In London
2nd of 39
In Islington
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
89%
Expected Standard
18%
Higher Standard
'22/23
83%
'23/24
89%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed28
226
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
52 families put this school as their 1st choice (23% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gillespie Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Gillespie Road, London
Islington, N5 1LH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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