Havelock Junior School Review 2026: Strong KS2 outcomes and a structured, positive culture

Havelock Junior School sits at the point where primary education starts to feel more grown-up. Pupils arrive in Year 3 and move quickly into routines that prioritise calm behaviour, steady effort, and leadership opportunities for older pupils. The school is part of the Havelock Infant and Junior federation and, since September 2013, has operated as an academy within Pathfinder Schools Trust.

Leadership is stable. Mrs Rachel Kiziak is the headteacher, and has held the role since September 2009, giving the school a long runway for consistent expectations and curriculum development.

The most recent official inspection (27 to 28 June 2023) confirmed that Havelock Junior School continues to be a Good school.

The school’s language around behaviour is unusually clear for a junior setting. Pupils are expected to be “ready, respectful and safe”, and the wider message is that improvement comes from persistence and practice, not from being naturally quick at everything. That matters in Years 3 to 6, when confidence can wobble and friendships become more complex.

There is also a deliberate emphasis on inclusion. The school talks plainly about adapting teaching so pupils with additional needs can take part fully, and the inspection evidence aligns with that direction, describing consistent support and adaptations in lessons.

Parents who like structure, clear boundaries, and a school that actively teaches learning habits will probably find the culture reassuring. Families looking for a more informal, free-flowing approach may need to check that the school’s routines and reward systems feel like a good match for their child.

The data points to a junior school that is comfortably above England averages at Key Stage 2.

In 2024, 81% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 29% reached greater depth in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%.

Scaled scores add useful texture. Reading averaged 107, maths 106, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 109, suggesting attainment is strong across the core suite rather than concentrated in a single area. Science outcomes were also high, with 94% reaching the expected standard.

Rankings reinforce the picture. Ranked 2,756th in England and 5th in Kettering for primary outcomes, this places the school above the England average and comfortably within the top quarter of schools in England on the FindMySchool ranking (based on official performance data).

Implication for parents: this is the kind of junior school where consistent teaching sequences and strong classroom habits are likely to translate into secure KS2 preparation, not just for tests, but for the broader jump into secondary-level expectations.

Curriculum design is a visible strength. The inspection evidence describes a broad, balanced curriculum with a clear sequence, and the school’s own curriculum information puts particular emphasis on structured teaching and building confidence through well-planned learning steps.

Maths is a good example of how the approach works in practice. Pupils spend time practising methods until they become quick and accurate, then apply them to multi-step problems. That “practice first, apply second” pattern often suits pupils who need clarity and repetition to feel secure.

Reading is treated as a whole-school priority, including reading across subjects and maintaining a library culture. The improvement edge, based on the latest inspection, sits in consistency, especially around systematically revisiting prior learning across every subject, and building reading fluency for pupils who find reading harder.

Havelock Junior School ends at Year 6, so the key transition is into Year 7. Desborough does not have its own secondary school provision, so families typically look to secondary schools in the wider North Northamptonshire area.

A practical point for parents: start the Year 6 process early and use open evenings to test the “fit” for your child, especially if they are moving from a smaller primary environment into a much larger secondary setting. The school’s structured routines and focus on learning behaviours can be a real advantage when pupils arrive at secondary school and need to manage homework, equipment, and more complex timetables.

Havelock Junior School is a Year 3 entry point (ages 7 to 11), with an admission number of 90 places per Year 3 intake. If the school is oversubscribed, priority is given in this order: looked-after and previously looked-after children; siblings; children who attended Havelock Infant School; then distance-based criteria and other children.

Applications for September 2026 entry are coordinated by North Northamptonshire Council. Key dates are clear:

• Applications open from 10 September 2025

• Closing date for on-time applications is 15 January 2026

• Offers are issued from 16 April 2026

If you are weighing multiple junior-school options, the FindMySchoolMap Search is useful for understanding how your home address sits against oversubscription criteria and other local choices, especially where distance can become decisive in some years.

The school’s pastoral approach leans on predictability and trusted adults. Pupils are encouraged to speak up when something is worrying them, and the wider safeguarding culture is described as clear and joined-up, with staff training and prompt follow-through on concerns.

Support for pupils with additional needs is framed as inclusion within mainstream routines, rather than separate provision. That usually works best when communication with families is proactive and specific, so it is worth asking how the school shares targets, interventions, and progress updates for pupils receiving extra help.

Clubs and enrichment look practical and routine-based, which suits junior-age children who benefit from “same day, same time” patterns.

For Key Stage 2, the club menu includes options such as Freestyle Gymnastics, Freestyle Dodgeball, Hotshots, Character Club, Jam Coding, Freestyle Football, and Punchin Pandas.

Music opportunities include peripatetic-style sessions such as drums, guitar, and Rocksteady, which can be a confidence-builder for pupils who prefer performing or creating to competing in sport.

Leadership opportunities are not left to chance. The school describes a School Council model with class representatives, and in sport, older pupils can take responsibility through a Year 6 Sports Crew approach to lunchtime activities.

The junior school day runs 8.45am start, registration at 8.50am, and finishes at 3.15pm, with a weekly length of 32.5 hours.

Wraparound care is not provided by the school. Families who need before and after-school provision typically use local external providers, so it is sensible to confirm availability early, especially for September starts.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Expect the usual costs for uniform, trips, and optional activities, and ask the school for a current outline if budgeting is important.

• Junior entry requires a fresh application. Children do not automatically transfer into Year 3, even from a linked infant school, so families need to plan around the local authority timeline and submit preferences on time.

• A structured culture is a plus for many, but not every child. The reward systems and behaviour expectations are explicit; most children respond well, but some families prefer a looser approach.

• Reading and curriculum knowledge are priorities. The direction is strong, but the school’s improvement areas include consistent recall of prior learning across subjects and building reading fluency for pupils who need it most.

• No school-run wraparound care. Working parents should confirm external arrangements early, including collection logistics and costs.

Havelock Junior School combines above-average KS2 outcomes with a clear behavioural and curriculum structure. The culture suits pupils who benefit from routines, explicit expectations, and adults who actively teach learning habits alongside content. Best suited to families who want a steady, well-organised junior school experience, and are ready to engage early with the local authority admissions timetable for Year 3 entry.