Laycock Primary School, London

In its own words: "The governing bodies of Thornhill Primary School and Laycock Primary School have decided to federate. The federation date is 1 June 2026."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are at the heart of Highbury, just off Upper Street and around the corner from Highbury & Islington station inviting children locally and from other boroughs."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 5pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Laycock Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 78% in Islington and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 66% in reading and 54% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Laycock Primary School as their first choice and 91 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Laycock Primary School are Canonbury Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 93% reading, 93% maths); William Tyndale Primary School (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 97% reading, 92% maths); Thornhill Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 91% reading, 91% maths); and St Mary's CofE Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 70% maths).

Laycock Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

59% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 59.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (32%), White British (18%) and Mixed (16%).

In 2026, 45 pupils (20.7%) received SEN support and 44 (20.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is hearing impairment.

Laycock Primary School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment: 64 places, 34 pupils on roll.

Laycock Primary School had 21 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest Underground station is Highbury & Islington Underground Station, about 120 metres away (roughly a 1-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Highbury Corner, 90 metres away.

In 2024/25, Laycock Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Laycock Primary School are St Mary Magdalene Academy (0.3 miles), City of London Academy Highbury Grove (0.5 miles), Highbury Fields School (0.6 miles) and City of London Academy Islington (0.6 miles).