Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Ilkeston
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Pupils at Saint John Houghton are happy, proud to be part of their school community, and benefit from a broad, ambitious curriculum. Teachers explain concepts clearly and give pupils time to practise and think deeply about their learning. The school excels at character development and provides numerous memorable experiences including trips, visits, and extra-curricular activities in sports and the arts.
Key Strengths
- Well-designed, ambitious curriculum with clear knowledge progression that helps pupils build and retain learning over time
- Strong support for pupils with special educational needs through effective identification and adaptation of learning
- Effective character development through the 'CARED FOR' virtues and diverse leadership opportunities
- Clear expectations and calm classrooms where pupils are polite, respectful, and engaged in learning
- Excellent preparation for next steps in education and future careers with personalised advice
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent delivery of teaching strategies across the curriculum - some lessons are less effective, affecting pupil achievement
- Inconsistent application of behaviour routines and expectations by some staff, meaning pupils are not always clear about what is expected
- Some occasions when disrespectful behaviour is not dealt with effectively
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with school leaders prioritising pupil safety and creating a positive culture where pupils know who to turn to if worried.
Extracurricular Activities
sports, the arts, leadership opportunities, trips and visits
Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy has maintained the good standards identified at its previous inspection. The school provides pupils with a broad, ambitious curriculum and a positive community where pupils are happy, safe, and achieving well.
At a Glance
29.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
83 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
25.4
Avg class size
23
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
625 pupils
606 capacity
19 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Ilkeston
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ilkeston
Admissions Demand - Derbyshire
Places available
8,811
Applications
7,963
Got 1st preference
95.4%
Got preferred school
99.1%
Secondary admissions across Derbyshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(5)
House Prices
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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
9.34991%
Overall absence
23.15485%
Persistent absence
691
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy
Ladywood Primary School
St Thomas Catholic Voluntary Academy
Dallimore Primary & Nursery School
Field House Infant School
Hallam Fields Junior School
Chaucer Infant School
Chaucer Junior School
Kensington Junior Academy
Larklands Infant School
Scargill CofE Primary School
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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