Howe Park School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 7
Ofsted: Good

Bowland Drive, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, MK4 2SHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Howe Park School is a primary school in Milton Keynes for ages 4 to 7. It is one of the 121 schools in Milton Keynes. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 17 October 2023, report published 4 December 2023

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 17 October 2023

Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming and nurturing school. They know the school's five core values well. Pupils exemplify these through highly respectful interactions with staff and each other. They treat each other kindly and play together happily during social times. Pupils who are playground 'buddies' help make sure everyone is included in activities and games at break and lunch times. The school wants the best for all pupils. Pupils are encouraged to aim high. They know that perseverance in the face of challenges helps them to achieve well. They appreciate 'star of the week' awards that recognise effort in lessons and where pupils have demonstrated the school's values consistently well. Pupils are rightly proud of their school and enjoy taking on roles of responsibility. They particularly love being 'library keepers' where they make sure books are categorised and sorted correctly. Pupils are enthusiastic about weekly clubs, such as magical maths, Spanish, art and violin, where they get to learn new skills with their friends. They also benefit from trips such as those to Whipsnade Zoo, Warwick Castle, nature reserves and farms that help bring learning to life.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, the precise knowledge that pupils need to learn is not yet identified clearly. This means that pupils' knowledge is not always built as fully as it could be. The school should ensure that the curriculum in all subjects sets out the precise knowledge pupils need to know and remember.
  • Staff sometimes do not check and consolidate pupils' learning, addressing any misconceptions, before moving on to new learning. This means any gaps in pupils' understanding are not addressed as quickly as they could be. The school should ensure that assessment helps teachers to build on pupils' prior learning effectively in all areas of the curriculum.
  • A few pupils do not engage as fully with their learning as the school would expect. When this happens, pupils do not benefit as much as they could from lessons. The school should ensure that all staff use agreed strategies to refocus pupils and maintain high engagement.

Pupil numbers and mix

107 pupils on roll, with places for 180

Eligible for free school meals15.9%

15.9%, 10.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language28%

28%, 6.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18.7%

18.7%, 3.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan0%

0%, 6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Howe Park School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Emerson Valley School0.3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Merebrook Infant School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Milton Keynes Preparatory School0.6 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Giles Brook Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good78% met the expected standard
Caroline Haslett Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Outstanding87% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Linzi Goodman
Address
Bowland Drive, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, MK4 2SH
Local authority
Milton Keynes
URN
132786

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.