Denton Primary School Review 2026: Small village primary with unusually strong KS2 outcomes

A small, rural primary with Nursery provision, Denton Primary School keeps the feel of a close-knit village school while posting results that stand out beyond its size. In 2024, 94.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%.

The setting matters here. The school describes itself as being in an “attractive Northamptonshire village” and uses its country environment to enrich the curriculum, a practical advantage for topics like geography and wider local studies. Wraparound care is a clear part of the offer, with Breakfast Club and an After School Club providing childcare either side of the school day.

The latest Ofsted report (inspection date: 01 July 2021) confirmed that the school continues to be Good.

With around 90 to 95 pupils across Nursery to Year 6, Denton’s scale is one of its defining features. That size can be a real advantage for children who benefit from being known well by staff, and it shapes day-to-day routines, from mixed-age friendships to older pupils taking responsibility. The 2021 inspection describes pupils as polite and articulate, keen to contribute in lessons, and supported by strong relationships with adults.

Pastoral language at the school has some distinctive, child-friendly features. The inspection report notes tools such as “feelings flowers” and “helping hands” to help pupils communicate how they are feeling, plus a culture where pupils expect adults to listen and respond when something is wrong. That kind of explicit emotional vocabulary tends to suit children who need structure around self-regulation and confidence.

Leadership and staffing context is also important. The 2021 report refers to significant staffing changes since the previous inspection and confirms the school’s federation arrangement with Yardley Hastings Primary School. The current headteacher is Mrs Rosie Gibson, who is also listed as the school’s SENDCO, which can bring continuity for families when support needs and classroom planning must align closely.

The headline story is high attainment at the end of Key Stage 2. In 2024, 94.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 30.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England.

Scaled scores add detail: reading averaged 109, mathematics 106, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 107. These are all comfortably above typical national benchmarks for scaled scoring.

Rankings reinforce the same picture. Ranked 2,574th in England and 22nd in Northampton for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), Denton sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

What this means for parents is that the school is not merely “doing fine for a small village primary”. The outcomes suggest pupils are leaving Year 6 well prepared for the step up to secondary level, with reading in particular looking like a consistent strength.

Early reading is presented as a deliberate priority. The 2021 inspection report notes that teaching of early reading begins in Nursery, that staff follow a shared approach, and that books are matched to the sounds pupils know, with clear catch-up support when pupils fall behind. This matters in a small school, because consistency across adults can be more valuable than having a large specialist team.

Curriculum intent is ambitious and outward-looking. The inspection describes a “global curriculum” aimed at building pupils’ understanding of the wider world, including topics such as human rights and sustainable development, with examples from geography discussions comparing the UK with Guatemala and India.

The main curriculum development point, and one for parents to probe on a visit, is coherence and subject leadership beyond the core. The 2021 report notes that in some subjects the curriculum was not planned in enough detail for learning to build securely over time, and that leaders’ checks in some areas were not sharp enough. In practice, this can show up as pupils enjoying topics but being less clear about how knowledge connects from term to term, especially in foundation subjects.

Nursery and Reception follow an Early Years Foundation Stage approach described as child-centred, with continuous provision designed for independent access, balanced with whole-class and small-group teaching of phonics, writing and maths in Reception. For Nursery fee details, use the school website; eligible families can access government-funded hours, and the school signposts funding support.

For a small primary, transition arrangements often depend on relationships with local secondaries, and Denton is unusually clear about its main pathway. The school states that most Year 6 pupils move on to Wollaston School, and that pupils take part in activities there, including sporting tournaments with other local schools, to support a smooth transition.

If your family is aiming for a different secondary route, for example a school in Northampton itself or a more distant option, it is worth discussing how the school supports those choices in Year 5 and Year 6. Small schools can provide very personalised guidance, but they may have fewer peers pursuing the same pathway, which can affect how much informal “buzz” there is around particular routes.

This is a West Northamptonshire state school, so there are no tuition fees. Reception entry is coordinated by the local authority. The school’s published admission limit for the 4+ year group is 15 places, reflecting its small scale.

Recent demand indicators suggest it is competitive. The most recent admissions figures provided show 21 applications for 7 offers, around three applications per place, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed. For families, the practical implication is that distance, siblings, and any priority categories in the local authority arrangements can make the difference, so it is sensible to read the West Northamptonshire criteria carefully before relying on a place.

For September 2026 Reception entry in West Northamptonshire, the application window opens from 10 September 2025, the deadline is 15 January 2026, and offers are released on 16 April 2026.

FindMySchool’s Map Search can help families sense-check practicalities, such as the day-to-day journey and how realistic a local application might be compared with other nearby options.

Day-to-day pastoral strength is one of the school’s most evidenced areas. The 2021 inspection report highlights that staff know pupils well, pupils have time to talk through worries, and bullying is described by pupils as rare, with confidence that staff respond quickly when issues arise.

Safeguarding systems are described as effective in the latest inspection evidence, and the school identifies designated safeguarding leads on its website.

On inclusion, the 2021 report notes that pupils with SEND receive effective support, with staff working closely with families and providing resources to help pupils access learning. With the headteacher also listed as SENDCO, families may find communication more direct, although it is always worth asking how day-to-day SEN administration is handled in practice in a small team.

Clubs are one of the ways a small school can create breadth, and Denton’s list is refreshingly specific. For 2025 to 2026 the school lists Gardening Club, Running Club, Hotshots Basketball, Pacesetters Gymnastics Club, Multi Sports Club, Clay Club, and Young Voices Choir.

These are not just “nice extras”. In a small cohort, clubs can be where pupils build confidence across year groups, and where children who are quieter in class find their niche. Gardening Club, for example, is likely to suit pupils who enjoy practical learning and responsibility; Clay Club gives a tactile, creative route that can be especially valuable for pupils who find written work harder but show real strengths in making and designing; Young Voices Choir offers a structured team activity with a clear goal, which can help pupils develop performance confidence and listening skills.

Music is also available through Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust, with instrumental lessons invoiced termly, according to the school’s own description.

The school day runs 08.55 to 15.30, with a morning session and an afternoon session separated by lunch.

Wraparound care is a practical strength: Breakfast Club runs 08.00 to 08.45, and After School Club operates until 17.30. Charging policies apply, and families should confirm current costs directly with the school, especially if using childcare regularly.

For travel, this is a village setting within a short drive of Northampton; families typically rely on local roads rather than rail links. For day-to-day logistics, it is worth checking whether your route is realistic in winter conditions and at peak times, particularly if you are balancing school runs with commuting.

• Small cohorts, fewer peer comparators. With a small roll, friendship groups and classroom dynamics can feel more intense for some children. This suits many pupils, but children who want a very large peer group may prefer a bigger primary.

• Curriculum consistency beyond the core. The 2021 inspection highlighted that in some subjects curriculum planning was less secure, and that subject leader monitoring was not always sharp enough. Parents should ask what has changed since then, and how leaders check that knowledge builds term by term.

• Competitive admission picture. Demand indicators show oversubscription and around three applications per place in the latest figures provided. Families should treat application strategy as important, not an afterthought.

• Nursery fees are published online. Nursery provision is a plus for many families, but costs vary by pattern of attendance and funding eligibility, so check the school’s published information and confirm your entitlement to funded hours.

Denton Primary School pairs the warmth and familiarity many families want from a village primary with KS2 results that are well above typical England benchmarks. Reading, early phonics, and a structured approach to pupil wellbeing show up strongly in the published evidence, and the clubs list gives genuine breadth for a small setting.

Who it suits: families who want a small school where staff know pupils well, and who value high attainment at the end of Year 6 without losing the feel of a community setting. The key challenge is admission competitiveness, and parents should also satisfy themselves about how the wider curriculum has developed since the last inspection evidence highlighted planning gaps.