Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, Towcester

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Leaders and staff have high expectations of all pupils."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders persistently strive to ensure that pupils attend well."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the early years benefit from a vibrant, purposeful and inclusive learning environment."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders are committed to meeting the needs of every pupil."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a productive, positive and inclusive culture in the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The promotion of pupils' personal development and wellbeing is a strength of the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas. They should continue to build on the many successes, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".

In its own words: "At Nicholas Hawksmoor we aim for academic, artistic and athletic excellence in a purposeful, lively, exciting and stimulating setting where expectations, broad and challenging curriculum, excellent facilities, wide range of activities, and talented, dedicated and caring staff, we aim to ensure that every child has the skills, knowledge, understanding and attitude which will enhance their education in a pluralist society."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School is a forward-looking school which enjoys a strong reputation for high academic success, excellence in the arts and a wide variety of sporting achievement. We have the highest aspirations for every child and place great value upon celebrating both individual achievement and personal development as children learn and grow with us."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

In 2025, 92% of Year 6 pupils at Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in West Northamptonshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 80% in reading and 93% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 54 families put Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School as their first choice and 114 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School are Towcester Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 83% reading, 76% maths); Marie Weller Primary School (0.9 miles, Good); Greens Norton Church of England Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 76% reading, 84% maths); and Tiffield Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths).

Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School is one of 4 schools run by The Hawksmoor Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

147 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School (as of April 2026): 92% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 41% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (41%).

7.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 39 pupils (9.1%) received SEN support and 16 (3.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Balmoral Close (adjacent), 130 metres away.

In 2024/25, Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School issued 8 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.