Harlestone Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Church Lane, Lower Harlestone, Northampton, NN7 4ENOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Harlestone Primary School is a primary school in Northampton for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 204 schools in West Northamptonshire. It ranks 45th of 95 primary schools in Northampton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 22 May 2024, report published 25 June 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 May 2024

Pupils, parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of this inclusive and welcoming school. As one parent said, 'It is a small school with a warm heart.' The school has successfully regained the trust of all parents in the school's provision, following a period of uncertainty. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel happy and safe. They know who they can talk to with any worries or concerns they may have. Relationships between pupils and with staff are highly positive and trusting. Pupils recognise how much the school has changed over the past year. They appreciate the improved school environment, both indoors and outside. The school has transformed the curriculum. Expectations are high and pupils respond well to these. Classrooms are busy and purposeful. Pupils display positive attitudes towards learning. They are keen to show what they can do. Most pupils achieve well, although some do not achieve as well as they might. Pupils attend and behave well. They understand the importance of treating everyone equally, showing kindness and respect. Pupils embrace the fundamental British values as well as the school's values in their interactions with one another. The school ensures that all pupils are well prepared for life in modern society.

What the school should improve

  • The school has developed a new and ambitious curriculum for all pupils. Sometimes, however, the expectations of some staff are not as consistently high as they could be. Some pupils, including children in Reception, are not moved on to more complex and challenging concepts when they are ready. As a result, some pupils do not gain new knowledge and skills as quickly as they might. The school should ensure that all staff have the knowledge and skills they need to support every pupil to achieve as well as they can.
  • Pupils do not develop their skills in writing as well as they might in all subjects. As a result, standards of pupils' writing vary between subjects. The school should ensure that all staff know how to develop pupils' writing knowledge and skills securely over time, particularly in detailed written tasks.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

11 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths55%

55%, 7 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths9%

9%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

64 pupils on roll, with places for 56

Eligible for free school meals12.5%

12.5%, 14 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.6%

1.6%, 20 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.2%

17.2%, 2.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

3.1%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Harlestone Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Duston Eldean Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding77% met the expected standard
The Bramptons Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good92% met the expected standard
Hopping Hill Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good58% met the expected standard
Harpole Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good68% met the expected standard
St Luke's Church of England Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good72% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Sam Phillips
Address
Church Lane, Lower Harlestone, Northampton, NN7 4EN
Local authority
West Northamptonshire
URN
121826

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.