Deanshanger Primary School

About Deanshanger Primary School

Deanshanger Primary School’s headline Key Stage 2 results sit well below the West Northamptonshire local authority average, which is a significant point for parents to weigh up. Just 44% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the LA average of 63%. That 19-percentage-point gap places the school in the bottom half of primary schools nationally, ranking 119th out of 134 in the local authority. Individual subject scores tell a similar story: 67% reached the expected level in reading, 60% in maths, and 73% in writing. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in all three subjects is low, at just 4%. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2025, rated overall effectiveness as ‘Not judged’ due to the timing of the visit, but the graded inspection found quality of education and leadership and management both require improvement, while early years provision, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes were all judged good.

Despite the headline figures, the school’s Progress 8 scores are not available, so it is hard to say whether pupils are making typical progress from their starting points. The average scaled scores in reading and maths both sit at 102, which is exactly the national average of 100, suggesting that while fewer pupils reach the expected standard than in other local schools, those who do are scoring around the middle mark. In writing, 73% met the expected standard, which is the strongest of the three core subjects. The school’s Ofsted report from 2019 rated it as requires improvement overall, with leadership and management also requiring improvement, so the current leadership team under headteacher Karen Morris has been working within a challenging context. The parent view survey, based on 144 responses, shows 65% would recommend the school, though responses on specific areas are mixed: only 20% agreed that concerns are dealt with properly, and just 20% felt SEND children receive the support they need.

Deanshanger Primary School is a mixed, state primary for ages 4 to 11, with 296 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, so there is room for growth. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 40 applications for 31 places and 30 first-preference offers made. The school offers a range of facilities including a library, music rooms, forest school, ICT suite, playing fields and a chapel, plus clubs like book club, drama, film club and gardening. Sports include football, rounders, tennis, netball and cross country. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health, speech language and communication, and hearing impairment. The nearest outstanding-rated primary is John Hellins Primary School, 3.7 km away. For families who prioritise pastoral strengths and a broad range of activities over headline academic outcomes, Deanshanger may still be worth a visit, but the data suggests it is not currently matching the LA average on core attainment.

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