Consider this: St Stephen’s Primary School in Shepherd’s Bush has been educating children for over 150 years. Imagine the countless stories within these walls. St Stephen’s School stands proudly on Uxbridge Road. It is a Church of England primary school.
St Stephen’s School opened around 1849 or 1850. It was built alongside St Stephen’s Church. The school and church share a long history. They have been serving the Shepherd’s Bush community together.
St Stephen’s is a Voluntary Aided School. In 2018, it had 384 pupils aged 3 to 11. Boys and girls learn together here. The school is located where Uxbridge Road meets Coverdale Road. This is right next to St Stephen’s Church.
The school reflects the diverse local community. About 32% of students do not speak English as their first language. The national average is 20.5%. St Stephen’s embraces this diversity.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 24.5:1. The national average is 20.6:1. Around 8.2% of students receive free school meals. The national average is 24.9%. St Stephen’s actively encourages parents to participate in school life. They even host an annual Grandparents Day.
St Stephen’s has a two-form entry system. Each class admits 30 children. School governors decide who gets admitted. The school offers 40 “Foundation Places”. These are for practicing Christians. Priority goes to members of St Stephen and St Thomas Church. They must live in the parish. There are also 20 “Open Places” each year. Distance from the school determines who gets these places. Siblings already at the school get priority.
St Stephen’s welcomes students with special needs. The school follows the Children and Families Act 2014. This ensures that students with special needs get the support they require.
Ofsted has consistently praised St Stephen’s. In 2011, Ofsted rated the school as “outstanding”. They noted the inspirational leadership of the headteacher and staff. In 2017, St Stephen’s ranked among the top primary schools in the UK. The Tatler praised the school’s atmosphere and leadership. Michael Schumm, the headteacher, received high accolades.
St Stephen’s consistently ranks high in government league tables. It was ranked 38th in the Sunday Times League Table of Best Primary Schools in the UK in December 2021.
The Friends of St Stephen’s or FOSS actively fundraises. They support school activities. They provide extra help for students with special needs.
So, as you stand before St Stephen’s School remember its long history. It is a pillar of the community. The school provides excellent education. It embraces diversity and supports every child. St Stephen’s School continues to shine brightly.