Helmdon Primary School
Brackley, NN13 5QT · West Northamptonshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
40th of 138 primary schools in West Northamptonshire we can score, 147 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,999 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.2/10 among them, against 6.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 89.0 · 97 | 40% | 3.88 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Helmdon Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 89.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. However, 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.2 out of 10 among them, against 6.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can learn keyboard, woodwind, recorder, strings, and guitar, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 126 pupils against a stated capacity of 124. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is provided for pupils aiming to reach the higher standard in maths? How are music lessons scheduled alongside the core curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Helmdon Primary School
Overview
Helmdon Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining its previous standing. The report describes a ‘caring, aspirational ethos’ where pupils feel ‘safe and secure’ and demonstrate ‘positive attitudes to learning’. Leaders have driven significant curriculum improvements, though some recent changes require further embedding to ensure long-term retention of knowledge.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve highly in reading, writing, and mathematics, supported by a consistent phonics programme and a ‘rich range’ of literature.
- The school offers a ‘wide range of enrichment activities’, including a ‘contract of cultural entitlement’ that broadens pupils’ horizons.
- Staff possess ‘good subject knowledge’, explain concepts clearly, and consistently develop pupils’ vocabulary through precise technical terms.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has improved, ensuring they access the same curriculum content as their peers.
- Staff report a ‘supportive, committed team’ culture where ‘well-being is clearly a priority’.
Areas to improve
- The school must embed recent curriculum changes to ensure pupils ‘remember important knowledge securely over the long term’, as current recall is not yet secure in some subjects.
- The school must ‘check closely on the implementation and impact of the curriculum in all subjects’, as monitoring is less frequent in some areas, leading to less secure pupil understanding.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 100% |
| 2023/24 | 100% |
| 2024/25 | 89% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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