Catherine, Princess of Wales at the school

A SCHOOL has been rated “outstanding” and had the Princess of Wales meet its children in the same week.

All Souls primary in Foley Street, Fitzrovia, is celebrating a double, after getting top marks from Ofsted and enjoying a “special moment” with Kate Middleton.

The future queen – who is making a steady return to royal duties while in remission from cancer – boarded a school bus with children from All Souls Church of England going on a tour of the National Portrait Gallery.

The visit was part of the royal’s early years education project, Shaping Us, that is designed to encourage children to better understand their emotions.

“My name is Catherine and I’m coming on your trip today,” the princess said to the children as she got on the minibus. “You’ve all got your seat belts on?” she checked.

The gallery, which has Catherine as its patron, has opened an interactive, storytelling trail for young children, with activities encouraging them to think about their emotions as they create their own self-portrait.

And it was a double delight for the school also received an “outstanding” rating from the education regulator. Headteacher Alix Ascough said: “I don’t know how to put into words how wonderful the last few days have been.

“The praise from the Ofsted inspectors really highlights what makes this school so unique, and I couldn’t be prouder of every single member of our school community. Sharing the report with our staff, parents and pupils has been such a special moment.

Outstanding: All Souls pupils spell out the success after Ofsted’s report

“Then, on top of that, our children also got to enjoy one of the most memorable school days any child could ever have when they were joined on our school bus by the future queen.

“They have also loved being able to see themselves on the television after it all happened.”
Ofsted’s report praised the school’s “highest expectations for pupils” and its “broad and rich curriculum” which enables pupils to be “well prepared for the next stage of their education”.

It said: “Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and courteous to staff and their peers. Pupils feel safe and know that there is always a trusted adult they can talk to if they have a concern.”

The school had the highest expectations for its special education needs pupils and all children benefited from “the extensive range of clubs” including include drama, basketball and the choir, it said.

Staff were also “very positive and proud to work in a school that cares and that has such a strong community ethos”.

The strong relationships between staff and families was also highlighted as a particular strength for the school, with the report stating that “staff work in close partnership with parents and carers, and the community, to deliver the best possible experience for all pupils”.

The inspectors said the school was outstanding in all five of the assessed categories.

At the last inspection, in 2019, the school received a “good” rating.

Ms Ascough added: “While Ofsted is not the only measure of success for a school, it is wonderful to see our pupils and staff acknowledged and celebrated for their tireless dedication to making our school the best it can be.”

The princess has not disclosed the specific type of cancer she was diagnosed with, but it was discovered after abdominal surgery in January 2024.

She underwent preventive chemotherapy for nine months.