Pakeman Primary School, London

Good
Primary
Community school
Mixed
Ages 211

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~328m)Possible (~469m)Unlikely (~610m)Confidence: high

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Miss Emma Bonnin
Pupils:338 / 349 capacity
LA:Islington
Phone:02076072575
Address:Hornsey Road, Holloway, London, N7 6DU
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 5 years ago
-

Overall

Inspected 12 January 2022View full report
URN:100418
UKPRN:10043227
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Islington North
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Pakeman Primary School has outstanding teaching in key stage 2 and has made impressive progress in writing, with all groups of learners making rapid gains. The school is led by a highly ambitious headteacher who has fostered a motivated team focused on removing barriers to learning through enrichment activities. Pupils feel exceptionally safe and secure, with excellent understanding of how to manage risks and mature attitudes towards keeping themselves and their friends safe.

Key Strengths

  • Outstanding progress in writing at key stage 2 across all groups of learners
  • Excellent leadership with high expectations and commitment to equality of opportunity
  • Strong safeguarding procedures with regular training and effective partnerships with external agencies
  • Innovative enrichment activities through projects like 'no limits project' that remove barriers to learning
  • Rising attendance figures close to national average

Areas for Improvement

  • Reading achievement lags behind in both key stages, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and low-attainers in key stage 1
  • Teaching quality is inconsistent across year groups, particularly in key stage 1 with activities not always pitched at the right difficulty level
  • Most able pupils, including most able disadvantaged pupils, not consistently challenged at a faster pace in mathematics
  • No specific targets set to reduce differences in performance between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils compared to national figures
  • Science outcomes not yet showing sustained improvement despite new laboratory and specialist teacher

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective with regular training, meticulous recording of concerns, strong partnerships with external agencies, and a culture of collective responsibility and vigilance.

Extracurricular Activities

Drama, school radio, debating clubs, booster classes, Saturday school club, problem-solving days, times table club, phonics videos, reading volunteers, seaside trips

Pakeman Primary School continues to be good, with strong leadership maintaining quality education since the last inspection in 2011. The school has made notable improvements in writing and early years outcomes, though reading remains an area requiring further development.

At a Glance

61.7%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

Yes

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Primary Performance (KS2)

Academic year 2025/26

KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)

2024
2025
Reading+1ppMaths+9ppWriting+4pp

Reading has remained stable at around 74%. Maths has improved from 77% to 86%. Writing has improved from 70% to 74%.

Class Sizes

27.2

Avg class size

23.0

Infant (KS1)

28.3

KS2

6

Total classes

1 class with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Finsbury Park Rail Station
812m · 13 min walk

Tube / Metro / Tram

Arsenal Underground Station
421m · 7 min walk
Arsenal
578m · 9 min walk
Holloway Road Underground Station
658m · 11 min walk

Bus Stops

Sobell Centre (Stop NQ)
97m · 2 min walk
Hornsey Road (N7) (Stop NP)
174m · 3 min walk
Seven Sisters Road / Hornsey Road (Stop NS)
227m · 4 min walk
Seven Sisters Road / Nags Head (->N)
236m · 4 min walk
Holloway Road / Camden Road (Stop N)
238m · 4 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

97%

Near capacity

338 pupils

349 capacity

11 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - London

Low pressure
New homes approved:104,823
Projected new pupils:26,206

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for London

Admissions Demand - Islington

Low demand0.85x oversubscription

Places available

1,905

Applications

1,626

Got 1st preference

80.9%

Got preferred school

96.5%

Primary admissions across Islington (2025/26)

Inspection History(8)

12 January 2022
1 November 2016
3 November 2011
Good
Leadership & ManagementGood

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SEN Provision

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

6.83088%

Overall absence

22.76119%

Persistent absence

268

Enrolments

Authorised4.46434%
Unauthorised2.36654%
Persistent (10%+)22.76119%
Severe (50%+)1.1194%

Absence trend

4.78101%
18/19
4.17486%
20/21
6.32696%
21/22
7.91338%
22/23
5.87%
23/24
6.83088%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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