Progress Schools - Northamptonshire has closed (Thursday 24 September 2026).
The information below is kept for reference.
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire, Castle
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire is a special school for pupils aged 13 to 16 in Castle. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2024. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2026 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2024)
Data last updated 11 Oct 2026
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Progress Schools - Northamptonshire are WiEducate LTD (0.3 miles); Hampton Bridge School (0.6 miles); Fairfields School (1 mile, Outstanding); and Northgate School Academy Trust (1.2 miles, Outstanding).
WiEducate LTDHampton Bridge SchoolFairfields SchoolNorthgate School Academy Trust
Who goes there
In 2026, 18 pupils (62.1%) received SEN support and 11 (37.9%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Northampton Rail Station, about 1050 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).
15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lower Mounts, 120 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1153 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in West Northamptonshire (90), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education), Part 3 (welfare, health and safety) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
- Part 1: quality of educationNot met
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyNot met
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementNot met
Progress-monitoring inspection, 25 February 2026: The school did not meet all the standards Ofsted checked.
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school has strong safeguarding systems in place with staff well-trained and responsive to concerns. Recruitment procedures are thorough and compliant with statutory requirements. The pastoral team actively supports pupils' wellbeing through home visits and monitoring.
Key Strengths
- Safeguarding culture is clear and effective with staff well-trained and vigilant about concerns
- Recruitment checks and staff vetting procedures are properly completed and recorded
- Pastoral and welfare staff actively support pupils with attendance issues through home visits
Areas for Improvement
- Curriculum is not adequately tailored to individual pupil needs across different pathways
- Teaching methods are inconsistent and many pupils disengage from learning
- Reading assessment and support is minimal with very few trained staff to deliver interventions
- Assessment systems do not identify knowledge gaps or inform teachers' next steps
- Leadership capacity has weakened following senior staff departures
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective with a clear culture of vigilance, thorough record-keeping, and staff receiving regular training and updates.
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire is an independent special school that does not meet all independent school standards. The inspection found that leaders have not taken urgent action to address longstanding issues with curriculum quality, teaching consistency, and assessment practices.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Progress Schools - Northamptonshire
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
58%
Available places
29 pupils
50 places
21 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Castle
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Castle
Across West Northamptonshire council
Places available
5,019
Applications
4,602
Got 1st preference
75.8%
Got preferred school
95.7%
All secondary applications across West Northamptonshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(11)
Independent school Progress Monitoring inspection
Outcome: the school did not meet all the standards Ofsted checked.
Independent School standard inspection
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education), Part 3 (welfare, health and safety) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
18
SEN Support
11
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
29
Total Pupils
22
Boys
7
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Progress Schools - Northamptonshire
What are GCSE results like at Progress Schools - Northamptonshire?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Progress Schools - Northamptonshire can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Progress Schools - Northamptonshire's Ofsted rating?
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2024, it was rated Requires Improvement.
Does Progress Schools - Northamptonshire meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in March 2024, Progress Schools - Northamptonshire did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education), Part 3 (welfare, health and safety) and Part 8 (leadership and management). At a later progress-monitoring inspection in February 2026, the school did not meet all the standards Ofsted checked.
How many pupils go to Progress Schools - Northamptonshire?
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire has around 29 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Progress Schools - Northamptonshire?
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Where is Progress Schools - Northamptonshire?
Progress Schools - Northamptonshire is at 8 Notre Dame Mew, Northampton, Castle, NN1 2BG.