Gillespie Primary School

Description

Gillespie Primary School, located at Gillespie Road, Highbury, London N5 1LH, is a highly esteemed community school that caters to students from ages 3 to 11. In its last Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated as Outstanding, and it is among the top 5 most oversubscribed state primary schools in Islington for first preference Reception place applications.

The school's attainment and progress are deemed excellent across maths, reading, and writing, making it a top area performer according to the Schools Guide. In the average cohort, the school has maintained an average class size of 30 pupils, with one class per year.

According to Schoolsmith scores, Gillespie Primary School ranks among the best in state primary schools in Highbury and one of the top 4 independent or state primaries within 1 mile. The school has enjoyed exceptional results in the National Curriculum Tests, placing it in the top 6% of schools in the country for attainment and in the top 5% for progress.

Beyond academic achievements, the school's curriculum emphasizes STEAM education by utilizing 'Lab-13' and offering regular educational trips, visiting speakers, and a residential trip for Year 6. Classes typically receive most of their lessons from their class teacher, with specialist teachers for music and science. A diverse variety of sports and creative arts, ranging from art and music to dance and drama, are also presented through school clubs and competitive representational teams.

Gillespie Primary School offers out-of-school hours care from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with part of this provided by school staff during the day and by an external contractor in the evenings. The school's motto, "Growing Together," speaks to the Headteacher's pride in fostering an inclusive community that thrives with a range of backgrounds and cultures.