Howitt Primary Community School
Heanor, DE75 7FS · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
142nd of 263 primary schools in Derbyshire we can score, 354 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.7/10 against 1,217 of them, against 3.6/10 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 | 55.0 · 27 | 40% | 1.10 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Howitt Primary Community School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the ECO Group, Embark Award, Forest Schools, Pupil Voice and Evening Owls clubs. Sports include football, basketball, cricket, hockey, rugby and swimming, alongside a choir. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 350 pupils against a stated capacity of 427. 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
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities does the Forest Schools programme involve?
What Ofsted said about Howitt Primary Community School
Overview
Howitt Primary Community School is described as an “inclusive and caring school” where pupils are at the heart of school life. Leaders maintain high expectations, resulting in a “calm and purposeful place to learn” where pupils behave well and feel safe. The report highlights a strong sense of community, with staff and governors sharing a determined vision for pupil success.
Strengths
- Pupils model the core values of ‘achieve, care and enjoy’, showing they “look after each other, love learning and achieve well”.
- Leaders have created a “well-planned and ambitious curriculum”, with reading placed at the centre through a consistent phonics approach.
- Staff provide “strong pastoral support”, ensuring pupils are polite, confident, and understand that “everyone is treated with respect and care”.
- The early years provision is high-quality, with children described as “independent, happy and curious learners”.
- Parents are “overwhelmingly positive about the school”, praising staff who “go above and beyond”.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must identify the “precise knowledge” teachers need to teach in all subjects, as some areas lack detailed breakdowns, hindering teachers’ ability to check learning.
- Individual targets for some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not precisely matched to their needs and require more rigorous review.
- Leaders and staff should continue working with families to reinforce attendance expectations, as the proportion of pupils regularly absent is “too high”.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training to spot risks and leaders acting quickly to provide support.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 71% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 55% |
| 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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