Northwold Primary School

About Northwold Primary School

Northwold Primary School’s headline metrics put it well ahead of the Hackney average for primary schools. While the local authority average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 sits at 74%, Northwold’s figure is 88%. That gap of 14 percentage points is significant, and it places the school fifth out of 49 primaries in Hackney, comfortably inside the top 10%. The school’s ranking score of 88 also puts it in the top 5% nationally. This is a school that clearly outperforms its local peers on the core academic benchmark, and it does so while serving a community where nearly half of pupils (49.7%) are eligible for free school meals — well above the national average. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, awarded Outstanding across every category that was graded: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. That’s a clean sweep, and a notable upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2017.

Digging into the Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24, the picture is consistently strong. In reading, 93% of pupils met the expected standard and 58% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 110. In maths, 88% met the expected standard and 42% hit the higher standard, with an average score of 108. Writing saw 91% at expected and 35% at greater depth. These are all well above national averages, and the proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading is particularly striking. The school’s Progress 8 scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest effective teaching across the board. The Ofsted inspection noted Outstanding for personal development and behaviour, which aligns with parent feedback: 91% of respondents to the Parent View survey said their child is happy at the school, and 95% said their child feels safe. A strong majority (77%) also agreed that the school has high expectations for their child, and 96% said their child does well.

Northwold is a two-form entry primary with nursery provision for children from age two, and it is clearly popular: for 2025/26 entry, there were 84 applications for 29 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.9 to one. All 25 first-preference applicants received an offer, which is reassuring for families who make it their top choice. The school’s facilities are generous for a state primary, including art studios, music rooms, an ICT suite, a forest school, a sensory room, a sports hall and playing fields. Clubs range from book club and choir to coding, science club and chess, and sports include tennis, athletics, dance and gymnastics. The school also has a chapel on site. SEND provision covers moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and other difficulties. For families in Hackney looking for a high-performing, inclusive primary with strong outcomes and a broad offer, Northwold is a compelling option — especially given its track record of delivering results above the local average.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Northwold Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents