Pakeman Primary School
About Pakeman Primary School
Pakeman Primary School in Islington is a mixed state primary for ages 2 to 11, currently home to 327 pupils against a capacity of 349 — so it’s running close to full but not quite at the limit. The school serves a notably diverse intake: 57.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average and reflects the local community it draws from. Demand is strong — for the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 84 applications for 45 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.87. Of those, 30 were first-preference offers, meaning exactly two-thirds of applicants who put Pakeman first got a place. That level of competition suggests the school is a popular choice among local families, even though it isn’t the highest-ranked primary in the borough. Headteacher Emma Bonnin leads a school that clearly has a waiting list, so parents should be prepared to apply early.
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
13 Jan 2022Latest monitoring visit (13 Jan 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 24 Nov 2011. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pakeman 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