Caroline Chisholm School, Northampton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Caroline Chisholm School creates a calm, welcoming environment where pupils thrive academically and personally. The school prioritises reading and provides excellent support for children with additional needs through specialist staff and bespoke programmes. With a strong focus on developing character and preparing students for life after school, including detailed careers guidance for sixth formers, your child will be well-supported to succeed.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with well-trained phonics staff and targeted support for struggling readers
- Ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that clearly outlines knowledge and skills from early years through sixth form
- Effective identification and support for pupils with SEND, plus specialist provision for pupils with autism
- High expectations for behaviour with clear routines that most pupils follow well
- Comprehensive programme for pupils' broader development, including British values, healthy lifestyles, and career guidance
Areas for Improvement
- Some inconsistencies in teaching quality - learning activities don't always help pupils build knowledge effectively
- Information provided to teachers about supporting pupils with SEND in lessons is sometimes unclear, resulting in insufficient adaptation
- Gaps in some pupils' knowledge are not identified and resolved well enough in certain subjects
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with pupils feeling safe and having access to supportive staff.
Extracurricular Activities
Ballroom dancing, choir, engineering club, archery, Combined Cadet Force, art club, sports clubs, mentoring programmes, culture days
Caroline Chisholm School has maintained good standards following its previous inspection. The school has high ambitions for all pupils, who achieve well and feel valued in a calm, orderly environment.
At a Glance
13.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
322 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 83% to 89%. Maths has remained stable at around 84%. Writing has declined from 85% to 74%.
Class Sizes
24.8
Avg class size
25.0
Infant (KS1)
30.2
KS2
73
Total classes
19 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
102%
Over capacity
2,049 pupils
2,002 capacity
47 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Northampton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Northampton
Admissions Demand - West Northamptonshire
Places available
5,079
Applications
4,699
Got 1st preference
77.2%
Got preferred school
95.4%
Secondary admissions across West Northamptonshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(106)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.28886%
Overall absence
17.19533%
Persistent absence
1,797
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Caroline Chisholm School
Preston Hedges Primary School
Wootton Primary School
Woodland View Primary School
Hardingstone Academy
Collingtree Church of England Primary School
East Hunsbury Primary School
Overstone Gate Primary School
The Abbey Primary School
Simon de Senlis Primary School
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.