Northern House Academy

  • Special
  • Academy
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Northern House Academy is a special school in Oxford for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 359 schools in Oxfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 June 2024, report published 22 July 2024

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 June 2024

Northern House Academy is described by parents as 'life changing' for their children. From the moment pupils start here, they are enveloped into a warm, inclusive culture and quickly develop a sense of belonging. They are truly understood and accepted into the life of the school. They are encouraged to be authentically themselves. One pupil's view was that staff 'really care about me, in their hearts'. As a result, pupils feel safe and happy, and they flourish. The atmosphere around school is inescapably positive. The staff know pupils exceptionally well and set high expectations. Pupils rise to these, and proactively engage in their learning with high levels of concentration. Pupils' social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs underpin the whole approach to learning. Through a carefully designed holistic curriculum, they are taught to reflect on their emotions and identify and develop personal strategies to self-regulate. Each day, pupils have multiple opportunities for 'emotional check-ins'. This gives them continuous opportunities to reflect on their behaviour and choices and have a fresh start as often as needed. This creates a remarkably calm and happy environment, where everyone can concentrate in class. Through these embedded approaches, pupils develop high levels of self-awareness and empathy.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

18 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below 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 score99

99, 7 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score92

92, 13 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score96

96, 9 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

93 pupils on roll, with places for 86

Eligible for free school meals47.3%

47.3%, 20.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.2%

2.2%, 19.4 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Northern House Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Woodeaton Manor School3 milesOfsted: InadequateNot published
The Iffley Academy3 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Endeavour Academy, Oxford4 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
LVS Oxford4 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 14.5
Orion Academy5 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 4.3

School details

School type
Academy special converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE GALLERY TRUST
Age range
5 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Headteacher Rebecca Holmes
Address
South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JN
Local authority
Oxfordshire
URN
147784

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.