Danesholme Infant Academy

About Danesholme Infant Academy

Danesholme Infant Academy sits within North Northamptonshire, a local authority that includes 111 primary schools, of which only two currently hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The school itself is rated Good overall, a notable improvement from its previous Requires improvement judgement in 2019. Among its local peers, the top-performing primaries in the area are Gretton Primary Academy, Stanion Church of England (Aided) Primary School, and Broughton Primary School, though Danesholme serves a distinct age range of 3 to 7 years, focusing entirely on the infant phase. With 206 pupils on roll against a capacity of 270, the school is not yet full, but it was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 58 applications for 47 places and offering 44 to first-preference families. This suggests a steady local demand, particularly from families seeking a dedicated infant setting rather than a full primary.

Academically, Danesholme Infant Academy’s most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2023 judged its quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all as Good. The early years provision, however, was rated Requires improvement, which is a specific area the school will be working on. As an infant school, it does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results, so direct comparison with the local authority average of 61 per cent at KS2 is not possible. The school’s Progress 8 data is also not applicable given its age range. The improvement from Requires improvement in 2019 to Good in 2023 indicates a positive trajectory under headteacher Sonia Kendal, and the inspection report highlights that behaviour and attitudes are now good, which will reassure parents looking for a calm and structured start to their child’s education.

The school offers a broad range of facilities for its size, including a gymnasium, playing fields, music rooms, a sensory room, an ICT suite, and a forest school area. Sports provision includes swimming, football, dance, cross country, cricket, and tennis, while extracurricular clubs such as Eco Club, Book Club, Choir, Chess, and Art Club give children opportunities beyond the classroom. SEND support covers social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication, visual impairment, and other difficulties or disabilities. With nursery provision on site, it suits families looking for a continuous early years and infant education in one location. The school is oversubscribed, so applying as a first preference is advisable. It will particularly appeal to parents who value a Good-rated, community-focused infant school with strong facilities and a clear improvement story, rather than a full primary with KS2 results.

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