St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School

About St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School

St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School is a clear academic standout in Hillingdon. Its Key Stage 2 results for the 2023/24 academic year show 77% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the local authority average of 64% for primary schools. That 13-point gap is significant and places the school 11th out of 55 primary schools in the borough, comfortably in the top quarter. The school also performs strongly at the higher standard, with 17% of pupils achieving that level across all three subjects. In maths specifically, the average scaled score of 106 and an 87% expected standard rate reinforce the picture of solid, consistent teaching. Reading and writing also hold up well, with 80% and 90% of pupils respectively meeting expectations. For parents comparing options, these numbers put St Swithun Wells ahead of the typical Hillingdon primary, though it sits just behind the very top performers like Deanesfield Primary School, which is half a kilometre away and rated Outstanding.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2024, rated it Good across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is a step down from its previous Outstanding rating in 2012, but the report still paints a positive picture. With 231 pupils against a capacity of 240, the school is nearly full but not bursting, and its nursery provision means children can join from age three. The pupil body is relatively affluent, with just 4.1% eligible for free school meals, well below the national average. In terms of admissions for 2025/26, the school was oversubscribed: 82 applications for 28 places, with 26 of those coming as first preferences. That’s a ratio of nearly three applicants per place, so securing a spot is competitive, though not among the most extreme in London.

Facilities are a real strength for a primary of this size. There’s a library, a chapel, a gymnasium, playing fields, an outdoor playground, a dining hall, and a Forest School area — the last of which is a notable bonus for outdoor learning. Sports provision includes athletics, gymnastics, football and swimming, and the clubs list is varied, with art, coding, science, chess, film and choir on offer. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, social and emotional mental health needs, and physical disabilities. This is a Catholic school in Hillingdon, led by headteacher Kristy Davis, and it suits families who value strong academic outcomes in a faith-based setting, who are prepared for a competitive admissions process, and who want access to a Forest School and a broad range of extracurricular activities without leaving the state system.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents