Little Houghton Church of England Primary

About Little Houghton Church of England Primary

Little Houghton Church of England Primary is a small state primary in West Northamptonshire, with just 87 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105. It sits within a competitive local landscape: among 147 same-type schools in the local authority, it ranks 28th overall, placing it comfortably in the top quarter. Its closest high-performing peers include Helmdon Primary School and Greatworth Primary School, both of which achieved the maximum ranking score, and The Bramptons Primary School with a score of 93. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 21 applications for 14 places, with 12 first-preference offers made. That ratio of 1.5 applicants per place suggests genuine local demand, particularly from families who value the Church of England character and the nursery provision for children aged three and up. Headteacher Carolyn Fairbrother leads a school that has clearly established itself as a solid choice in the area, even if it isn't among the very top-ranked primaries.

Academically, Little Houghton performs above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 75% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the West Northamptonshire average of 63%. The school also achieved strong higher-standard scores: 38% of pupils reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, with average scaled scores of 106 in reading and 105 in maths. Writing was a particular strength, with 88% of pupils meeting the expected standard. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in April 2024, confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all rated Good. This represents a clear improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2015, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. The turnaround in quality is notable, and the current inspection found no evidence of decline.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a sports hall, outdoor playground, art studios, forest school and a chapel, which supports its Church of England foundation. Sports provision is broad, with cross country, tennis, dance, netball, swimming, cricket and rounders, while clubs include chess, gardening and eco club. SEND support covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and hearing impairment. For families seeking a small, faith-based primary with strong academic outcomes and a clear community feel, Little Houghton is a compelling option. Its oversubscription status and high first-preference rate suggest it suits parents who prioritise a nurturing, well-structured environment within a village setting, though those wanting an Outstanding-rated school may need to look 3.4 km away at Weston Favell CofE Primary School.

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