Long Buckby Infant School

About Long Buckby Infant School

Long Buckby Infant School is a state primary in West Northamptonshire that clearly appeals to local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 35 applications for its 28 Reception places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.25 applicants per place. Notably, all 28 first-preference applicants were offered a spot, which suggests that while demand exceeds supply, families who rank it first stand a strong chance. The school has held a Good rating from Ofsted across both its most recent inspections, including the one in March 2023. Under headteacher Sarah Dugdale, the school caters to 140 pupils aged 4 to 7, operating at around 86% of its 162-pupil capacity. Ten percent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly below the national average for primary schools.

Academically, Long Buckby Infant School is rated Good across all five Ofsted categories from its 2023 inspection: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision all received a Grade 2. This represents a consistent performance compared with its previous inspection in 2013, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good. As an infant school, it does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results, so direct comparison with the local authority average of 63% achieving the expected standard is not possible. However, the school's Good rating places it among the majority of West Northamptonshire primaries; of the 147 schools in the local authority, only 11 hold an Outstanding rating. The school's early years provision is also rated Good, which is a strong signal for parents of children entering Reception.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including a library, sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, an ICT suite, and a sensory room. Sports provision covers athletics, rounders, tennis, dance, netball, and swimming, while extracurricular clubs include drama, choir, eco club, and chess. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, physical disabilities, and other difficulties. The school does not have a nursery or a sixth form, and it is non-denominational. Given its oversubscription status and strong first-preference offer rate, this is a school that suits families who live close enough to secure a place and who value a well-regarded, Good-rated infant setting with a broad range of activities and inclusive support.

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