The Orion Primary School, London
The Orion Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in London. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in April 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 439th-highest of the 959 schools in London with published results, and 3,885th of 14,452 across England. It was 96% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Barnet (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Orion Primary School in detail
The Orion Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "The Orion Primary is part of the Gold Star Federation. Together with Goldbeaters we serve a community of around 1500 children. We believe that life for our pupils should be sunny, happy and incredibly special. Our way of learning is unique and has a name: I Shine Learning ."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, tennis, athletics, yoga and dance.
The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £3 per day.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at The Orion Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 85% and 85% in Barnet and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 88% in reading and 87% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at The Orion Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 120 families put The Orion Primary School as their first choice and 353 named it as one of their preferences, for 119 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 14 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at The Orion Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to The Orion Primary School are Woodcroft Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 85% reading, 89% maths); Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 96% reading, 92% maths); Goldbeaters Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 82% maths); and Blessed Dominic Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 78% reading, 76% maths).
The Orion Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
Woodcroft Primary SchoolEtz Chaim Jewish Primary SchoolGoldbeaters Primary SchoolBlessed Dominic Catholic Primary School
Who goes there
46.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 73.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (21%), Black (18%) and Mixed (15%).
In 2026, 248 pupils (26.6%) received SEN support and 69 (7.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.
The Orion Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 21 places, 21 pupils on roll.
Staffing
The Orion Primary School had 58 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Mill Hill Broadway, about 540 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Woodcroft Park / The Orion Primary School (->n), 80 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
The Orion Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to The Orion Primary School are Saracens High School (0.5 miles), St James' Catholic High School (0.6 miles), Copthall School (0.6 miles) and Hasmonean High School for Girls (0.6 miles).
Saracens High SchoolSt James' Catholic High SchoolCopthall SchoolHasmonean High School for Girls
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils are happy and proud to attend this school. They receive a high-quality education and achieve extremely well. Pupils benefit from a rich programme of personal development, which helps to develop their resilience and confidence. Pupils participate in an extraordinary range of opportunities beyond the curriculum. The school ensures that there are no barriers to what pupils can achieve. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
From an early age, pupils learn to cooperate with each other and respect others. In the early years, staff make sure that children understand and follow clear routines. For example, they learn to listen, take turns and to persevere when a task is difficult. Incidents of bullying are very rare. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and well mannered.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are crystal clear about their vision. In line with this, they work together to make the school 'happy, harmonious and hopeful' so that every child has the chance to shine. The highly ambitious curriculum combines academic study with a broad range of exciting experiences.
Staff have a deep knowledge of the curriculum. They know precisely what pupils need to learn and remember over time. Staff have subject expertise and are supported through their staff training to deliver the curriculum exceptionally well. Staff regularly check pupils' understanding in lessons and make sure that no pupils are left behind. Staff are quick to rectify any misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge. Their guidance ensures that pupils gain an in-depth understanding of the topics and subjects that they study. Pupils are very well prepared for the next steps in their education.
From Ofsted's April 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its April 2024 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
46.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Resourced provision: Autism
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 88% to 82% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 85% to 80% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.8
Avg class size
29.5
Infant (KS1)
26.3
KS2
32
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with The Orion Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near The Orion Primary School.
- Excellent Care centre620m away · Not yet graded
- Mill Hill Broadway Kumon Centre720m away · Not yet graded
- Little Voices North London - Mill Hill720m away · Not yet graded
- Zidannes Sports School Ltd740m away · Not yet graded
- Big Time Academy760m away · Not yet graded
- Advance Tutorial College760m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Orion Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Orion Primary School is in Barnet; for families living there:
Apply to Barnet for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 42
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 42 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 38 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Barnet is 53 (the median across 175 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at The Orion Primary School
Will you get a place at The Orion Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against The Orion Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for The Orion Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to The Orion Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Barnet, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at The Orion Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Barnet got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
96%
Near capacity
839 pupils
870 places
31 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Barnet council
Places available
4,268
Applications
3,649
Got 1st preference
86.1%
Got preferred school
98.0%
All primary applications across Barnet council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
248
SEN Support
69
EHC Plans
33.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
The Orion Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 21 places, 21 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
934
Total Pupils
488
Boys
446
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
58
Teachers
16.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£63,291
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,692
Per pupil
£6481k
Total funding
£594k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.1%
Overall absence
14.9%
Persistent absence
731
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
The Orion Primary School
Questions parents ask about The Orion Primary School
What are SATs results like at The Orion Primary School?
Of the pupils at The Orion Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% reached the expected standard in reading and 86% did so in maths.
What is The Orion Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Orion Primary School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024.
What is the catchment area for The Orion Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When The Orion Primary School is oversubscribed, Barnet allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at The Orion Primary School?
The Orion Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 96% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at The Orion Primary School?
Classes at The Orion Primary School average 25.8 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to The Orion Primary School?
The Orion Primary School has around 934 pupils on roll. 47% are eligible for free school meals.
Does The Orion Primary School have specialist SEN provision?
The Orion Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 21 places, 21 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at The Orion Primary School?
6.1% of sessions were missed at The Orion Primary School in 2024/25. 14.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to The Orion Primary School?
Apply through Barnet's coordinated admissions process, naming The Orion Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does The Orion Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 6 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of The Orion Primary School: Excellent Care centre (620m away, registered, not yet graded), Mill Hill Broadway Kumon Centre (720m away, registered, not yet graded) and Little Voices North London - Mill Hill (720m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near The Orion Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 42 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 38 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Barnet is 53 (the median across 175 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Orion Primary School?
The Orion Primary School is at Grahame Park Way, London, NW7 2AL.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)