Vanessa Nursery School, London
Vanessa Nursery School is a nursery school for pupils aged 2 to 5 in London. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2023 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Vanessa Nursery School in detail
Who goes there
11.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 45.1% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Mixed (34%), White British (17%) and Black (14%).
In 2026, 12 pupils (16.9%) received SEN support and 1 (1.4%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Goldhawk Road, about 490 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cathnor Road, 130 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from January 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Outstanding.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2023 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Vanessa Nursery School is a wonderful place where your child will thrive. The school has exceptionally skilled staff who help children develop independence, strong communication skills and emotional resilience from the start. Your child will benefit from an ambitious curriculum with plenty of hands-on experiences including swimming, cooking, art and visits to cultural venues - all designed to prepare them brilliantly for primary school.
Key Strengths
- Excellent relationships between staff, children and families create a safe, nurturing environment where children's behaviour is exemplary
- Strong focus on developing communication and language skills through precise modelling and regular practice of new vocabulary
- Exceptional support for children with special educational needs - staff identify needs quickly and work with external specialists
- High emphasis on building children's independence and resilience through daily routines and activities
- Rich cultural experiences including visits to local theatre, galleries and museums
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective - staff are knowledgeable about reporting concerns, processes are robust and well understood, and positive relationships mean staff know children well and can spot when they are upset.
Extracurricular Activities
Swimming, visits to local theatre, gallery visits, museum visits
Vanessa Nursery School continues to be an outstanding school where children flourish in a happy, nurturing environment. Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum with high expectations for children's social, emotional and academic development.
At a Glance
11.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby nursery schools
Latest from Vanessa Nursery School
Nursery School Tours
22 Jun 2026
Part Time Early Years Educator (20 Hours per week TTO) Vacancy
19 Jun 2026
Nursery School Tours
16 Jun 2025
International Swimming School
22 Sep 2023
Welcome to Vanessa Nursery School
31 Aug 2023
Welcome to Our Website
31 Aug 2023
From Vanessa Nursery School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Vanessa Nursery School
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Vanessa Nursery School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Vanessa Nursery School is in Hammersmith and Fulham; for families living there:
Apply to Hammersmith and Fulham for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 121
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 20
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 121 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 20 serious and 101 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
21 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 Hammersmith and Fulham is 146 (the median across 81 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
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Hammersmith and Fulham council
Places available
1,503
Applications
1,109
Got 1st preference
64.5%
Got preferred school
92.0%
All secondary applications across Hammersmith and Fulham council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
12
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
18.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
71
Total Pupils
32
Boys
39
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
4
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£89,376
Mean salary
2026 data
Questions parents ask about Vanessa Nursery School
What is Vanessa Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Vanessa Nursery School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Vanessa Nursery School?
No fixed boundary. When Vanessa Nursery School is oversubscribed, Hammersmith and Fulham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Vanessa Nursery School?
Vanessa Nursery School has around 71 pupils on roll. 11% are eligible for free school meals.
How do I apply to Vanessa Nursery School?
Apply through Hammersmith and Fulham's coordinated admissions process, naming Vanessa Nursery School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Vanessa Nursery School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 121 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 20 serious and 101 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 21 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 Hammersmith and Fulham is 146 (the median across 81 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Vanessa Nursery School?
Vanessa Nursery School is at 14 Cathnor Road, London, W12 9JA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)