Helmdon Primary School
87%
Capacity
110
Pupils
2.5x
Demand
About Helmdon Primary School
Helmdon Primary School has been rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection, a rating it has held consistently across both its 2012 and 2024 graded inspections. But the real story is in the exam data. Every single child in Year 6 reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — a perfect 100 per cent. That puts the school at number one in West Northamptonshire, comfortably ahead of the local authority average of 63 per cent. Nationally, it ranks 44th out of nearly 14,000 primary schools. The school also excels at stretching its pupils: 92 per cent achieved the higher standard in maths, 75 per cent in reading, and 17 per cent in both writing and the combined measure. Average scaled scores of 114 in maths and 113 in reading are well above the national benchmark of 100.
The school’s Ofsted report, published in May 2024, awarded Good across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Inspectors noted that pupils behave well and feel safe, and that the curriculum is well-sequenced. With only 110 pupils on roll against a capacity of 126, the school is small enough to feel personal, yet it is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 47 applications for 19 places, with 13 first-preference offers made. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 2.47, so it pays to get your application in early. The school’s SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, and speech, language and communication needs.
Facilities include music rooms, art studios, a sports hall, a dining hall, a forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer range from cross country and netball to tennis, dance, rounders and cricket, while clubs include chess, gardening, coding and film club. The school is led by headteacher Amanda Zdyrko and is a state-funded mixed primary for children aged 4 to 11. It has no nursery provision and no sixth form. For families in West Northamptonshire who prioritise strong academic outcomes in a small, community-focused setting, Helmdon Primary School is a standout choice — particularly for those who can secure a place early in the admissions cycle.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | 21 Station Road, Brackley, West Northamptonshire, NN13 5QT |
| Headteacher | Amanda Zdyrko |
| Local Authority | West Northamptonshire |
| Number of Pupils | 110 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 7.3% |
| School Capacity | 110 / 126 (87% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
19 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 1 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (100%)
44th of 13,686
Nationally
7th of 1,353
In East Midlands
2nd of 134
In West Northamptonshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
100%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed19
47
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
13 families put this school as their 1st choice (28% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British93.6%
- White (other)2.7%
- Asian1.8%
- Mixed0.9%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Helmdon Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
21 Station Road, Brackley
West Northamptonshire, NN13 5QT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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