Helmdon Primary School

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

21 Station Road, Helmdon, Brackley, NN13 5QTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Helmdon Primary School is a primary school in Brackley for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 204 schools in West Northamptonshire. It ranks 1st of 6 primary schools in Brackley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 19 March 2024, report published 1 May 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 19 March 2024

The school's core beliefs of 'happiness, perseverance and success' encapsulate the caring, aspirational ethos at Helmdon. Pupils feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment. They say that staff motivate them and encourage them to do their best. Pupils behave well. They are courteous and considerate. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and they work hard in lessons. They concentrate and listen well most of the time. Pupils are proud of their school. They attend well. Pupils like spending time with each other. They play together nicely. They make the most of the resources and facilities on offer at break times to be active. Pupils enjoy running the daily mile. They say, 'It's good for your mental health and your physical health.' Pupils also look forward to competing in one of the many sports tournaments that the school takes part in. The school provides a wide range of enrichment activities. Through its 'contract of cultural entitlement', pupils learn about societies and traditions from around the world, as well as what makes Britain special. This includes a variety of musical, literary, artistic and theatrical experiences. These opportunities have been deliberately chosen to broaden pupils' horizons and prepare them for their futures.

What the school should improve

  • The school has developed its approach to the recall of prior learning in some subjects. However, these changes are quite recent. They are yet to have the intended impact on what pupils remember. The school should embed the changes that have been made to its curriculum, ensuring that pupils remember important knowledge securely over the long term.
  • The school checks how well the curriculum is being taught and learned in some subjects more effectively than others. Where subject monitoring is less frequent, pupils do not gain a sufficiently detailed understanding of the curriculum. The school must check closely on the implementation and impact of the curriculum in all subjects, so its ambitious vision is fully realised.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

9 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths89%

89%, 27 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score112

112, 6 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score110

110, 5 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

126 pupils on roll, with places for 124

Eligible for free school meals9.5%

9.5%, 17 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0.8%

0.8%, 20.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support6.3%

6.3%, 8.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan0.8%

0.8%, 5.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Helmdon Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Greatworth Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good78% met the expected standard
The Radstone Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard
Syresham St James CofE Primary School and Nursery3 milesOfsted: Good33% met the expected standard
Culworth Church of England Primary Academy3 milesOfsted judgements: Good33% met the expected standard
Bracken Leas Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good63% 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
Ms Kathryn Crawford
Address
21 Station Road, Helmdon, Brackley, NN13 5QT
Local authority
West Northamptonshire
URN
121827

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.