Farthinghoe Primary School

About Farthinghoe Primary School

Farthinghoe Primary School is a small state primary in West Northamptonshire, currently home to 36 pupils against a capacity of 42, meaning it is not yet full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11.1%, which is below the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. Despite the spare capacity, the school was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 reception intake, receiving 12 applications for just 2 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 6:1. All 2 first-preference applicants were offered a place, indicating strong local demand from families who prioritise this school. The school is mixed, non-religious, and serves children aged 4 to 11, with no nursery provision. Headteacher Ricky Emms leads a team that has clearly earned the trust of parents: in the most recent Parent View survey, 100% of respondents would recommend the school, and 88% strongly agreed that their child feels safe here.

Academically, Farthinghoe presents a mixed picture. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, just 29% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well below the local authority average of 63%. This places the school 133rd out of 134 primary schools in West Northamptonshire, putting it in the bottom 50 nationally. However, individual subject results tell a more nuanced story: 86% of pupils reached the expected standard in writing, and 71% did so in reading, with a strong 57% achieving the higher standard in reading. Maths was weaker, with only 43% at expected and 14% at the higher level. The average reading score was 109, above the national benchmark, while maths averaged 102. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2025 rated overall effectiveness as not judged, but all graded areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — were judged Good, with early years provision rated Outstanding.

Farthinghoe is well equipped for a school of its size, with facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, an ICT suite, art studios, a sensory room, and a forest school area. It offers a range of clubs such as art, eco, gardening, drama and science, plus sports including swimming, netball, cricket and gymnastics. The school has identified SEND provisions for speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder, though no parents responded to the SEND support question in the Parent View survey. With its small roll and strong parental satisfaction — 76% strongly agreed the school lets them know how their child is doing — this is a school that suits families who value a close-knit, community feel and are comfortable with its academic profile. The oversubscription suggests it is a popular choice locally, but the low KS2 combined results mean it may not be the right fit for those prioritising top-tier academic outcomes.

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