Hartwell Primary School Review 2026: Elite KS2 outcomes with a distinctive Church of England ethos

A one-form-entry village primary on School Lane in Hartwell, this Church of England academy combines a strongly defined values framework with outcomes that sit among the very highest in England. In 2024, 93% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. The school’s 58th-place ranking in England (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data) puts it in the top 2% nationally for primary performance.

Leadership is stable, with Mrs Jac Johnson in post since September 2022. The most recent Ofsted inspection (October 2022) judged the school Good across all areas.

This is a school that chooses clarity over vague slogans. Its values are structured around the letters of “HARTWELL”, tying everyday conduct to specific expectations such as honesty, respect, listening and loving God’s world. Those values are not treated as a poster exercise; they show up repeatedly across school communications and are reinforced through pupils taking on real responsibilities, including organising aspects of school life and leading groups for younger pupils.

The Church of England character is explicit, but it is presented as both rooted and outward-looking. The school describes its Christian foundation as a reason to respect other faiths and to work in partnership with its local parish and at diocesan level. That matters for family fit, because the ethos is designed to shape routines and language, not sit in the background.

One distinctive marker is the Flourish project. Hartwell has been selected as one of 40 Church of England pilot schools exploring what it means to be a worshipping community within a school setting. Practical expressions include pupil-led community worship sessions and a spiritual garden with features such as seating and a fire pit for outdoor events in dry weather. For families who want faith to be visible, this is a meaningful signal. For families who prefer a lighter-touch approach, it is something to understand early.

Hartwell’s 2024 KS2 outcomes are exceptional on both the headline measure and the depth indicators.

• Expected standard (reading, writing and maths combined): 93% in 2024, compared with the England average of 62%.

• Higher standard (greater depth across reading, writing and maths): 47%, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores reinforce the picture, with 111 in reading, 112 in maths, and 114 in grammar, punctuation and spelling.

These are outcomes that typically correlate with highly consistent teaching routines, strong curriculum sequencing, and early identification of pupils who need an extra push or a sharper intervention. They also shape classroom experience, because teaching can move at pace when most pupils are secure on foundations. (As always, families should consider whether their child enjoys that kind of academically purposeful atmosphere.)

On rankings, Hartwell is ranked 58th in England and 1st in Northampton for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data). Put simply, that places the school among the very highest-performing primaries in England. Parents comparing nearby schools can use FindMySchool’s Local Hub pages and comparison tools to view performance side-by-side, using the same underlying metrics.

These results are also consistent with the school’s emphasis on reading and language. The most recent inspection describes systematic work on vocabulary and early reading, and a culture that treats the library as a point of pride rather than a quiet afterthought.

Reading sits at the centre of the curriculum story, beginning as soon as children enter Reception. The inspection report describes early phonics, rapid extra help for pupils who find it harder, and careful matching of reading books to the phonics pupils are learning. Alongside this, staff deliberately develop vocabulary across subjects, so pupils are repeatedly taught the words that allow them to think precisely and speak confidently.

Curriculum design is not generic. Science, for example, is framed through a named concept, “The Hartwell Scientist”, designed to teach pupils how to think and act scientifically as they move through the school. In practice, this kind of model can make lessons more coherent for pupils, because “working like a scientist” becomes a shared habit rather than a teacher-specific preference.

Languages are another point of differentiation. Hartwell teaches Latin as its ancient foreign language at Key Stage 2, explicitly because pupils move on to different secondary schools offering different modern languages. The school positions Latin as a linguistic foundation that supports grammar, spelling and future language learning, and it sets out a structured weekly approach with progression maps and an identified scheme of work. For academically inclined pupils, this can be energising, particularly for those who enjoy patterns, etymology and the logic of sentence construction.

In early years, provision is described as a strong start, with planned activities linked to curriculum aims and purposeful “spot challenges” used to reinforce early learning. This matters because high KS2 outcomes are often built on predictable, secure foundations in Reception and Key Stage 1, not last-minute Year 6 intensity.

As a village primary, Hartwell’s Year 6 cohort typically fans out rather than feeding into a single destination. The school explicitly references that pupils move to different secondary schools and will encounter different modern foreign languages depending on which option they take. That pattern often reflects a mix of family preference, transport practicality, and the balance between comprehensive and selective pathways in and around Northampton.

Transition preparation, therefore, is less about a single “feeder” relationship and more about equipping pupils with the personal organisation and confidence to handle change. The school’s PSHE curriculum explicitly includes helping pupils face new challenges such as the move to secondary school, and Year 6 pupils take on leadership responsibilities that mirror the increased independence expected in Year 7.

For families, the practical implication is straightforward: start secondary research early, and treat the Year 6 transition as an active project. Look at travel time at peak hours, not in ideal conditions. If you are considering selective routes, be realistic about the impact on family life and the child’s appetite for additional preparation. If you are considering comprehensive routes, scrutinise pastoral systems and behaviour culture as closely as academic measures.

Hartwell is a state-funded primary, so there are no tuition fees. Admission is the key pressure point.

For Reception entry, the local authority process is central. In West Northamptonshire, the primary application process for September 2026 entry opened from 10 September 2025, with the on-time application deadline of 15 January 2026, and offers released on 16 April 2026. Late applications are processed later in the cycle.

Demand data suggests consistent competitiveness rather than extreme oversubscription. For the Reception entry route measured, there were 51 applications for 30 offers, a ratio of 1.7 applications per place, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed.

Because the “last distance offered” figure is not available here, families should treat distance-based assumptions cautiously. Use FindMySchool’s Map Search tools to check your measured distance from the school gates and to sense-check how that compares with typical local patterns, but keep in mind that annual cut-offs can move. Also read the published admissions policy to understand priorities, particularly around children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school and any other oversubscription criteria that apply.

The school also publishes tours and open events through its diary and events listings. Recent events have included open mornings and an open afternoon during the autumn term, which suggests that prospective-parent sessions often cluster in October and November. Confirm dates directly each year, because schedules change and places may need booking.

Pastoral culture here is supported by clear routines and a shared language around values. The inspection report describes calm classrooms where pupils can concentrate, good manners being consistently reinforced, and pupils feeling safe and able to raise concerns with adults. Ofsted also confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Staff workload is explicitly acknowledged, including a described role focused on adult mental health. That may sound staff-facing, but it matters to pupils, because stable staffing and consistent expectations are difficult to sustain when teachers are stretched.

For pupils with additional needs, teaching is described as adapted so that pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities can take part in the full curriculum. The school’s SEND information is signposted through its published materials, and families with specific needs should read that closely and ask about transition planning, particularly for Year 6.

Extracurricular life is structured through a mix of school-led and provider-led opportunities, with several named options.

Sport is well represented. The school’s clubs page lists provider-run before- and after-school sessions including football, dance, dodgeball and gymnastics, alongside additional clubs such as HotShots Basketball. The inspection report also notes pupils taking part in sports competitions and running a daily mile on a purpose-built track around the school field. That combination supports both broad participation and routine fitness, rather than sport being limited to a small group of keen players.

Music is visible too. The inspection report refers to pupils joining choir and orchestra. For families who value a primary that treats performance groups as a normal part of school life, this is a positive indicator, particularly when combined with the school’s wider emphasis on vocabulary, reading and disciplined practice habits.

Pupil leadership is another strand. “Library guardians” are highlighted as keeping shelves organised and running book clubs for others, and the school’s own materials describe Year 6 pupils taking on roles such as organising events and supporting assemblies. These details matter because they suggest that responsibility is built into the culture, not reserved for the occasional prefect badge.

The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:20pm, totalling 32.5 hours in a typical week.

Wraparound care is available through an on-site provider arrangement, and the school also signposts before- and after-school activity clubs. Families should clarify booking processes, session times and costs directly, since these can change termly, and availability can be tighter at peak days.

As a village setting, travel patterns tend to be a mix of walking, short car journeys, and families coordinating lifts. Newsletters and school communications also reference practical traffic and safety considerations around the school site, which is typical of rural-village schools where roads can feel narrow at peak times.

• Competition for places. Demand data shows oversubscription, with 51 applications for 30 offers in the measured period. If you are relying on a place, make admissions planning a priority, and keep a realistic second and third preference.

• High academic outcomes can bring pace. Results are among the strongest in England, including 47% reaching the higher standard at KS2. That often suits children who enjoy challenge and clear expectations, but it can feel intense for pupils who prefer a slower consolidation curve.

• Faith is part of the lived culture. The Church of England character is explicit, and involvement in the Flourish pilot points to structured worship and community reflection being part of school life. Families should decide whether that fits comfortably.

• Curriculum improvement priorities are specific. The inspection report identifies the need to sharpen how knowledge is sequenced and remembered in some subjects, so pupils consistently connect learning across year groups. Ask how this has been addressed since 2022, especially if curriculum coherence matters to you.

Hartwell Primary School combines an unusually strong performance profile with a clearly articulated Church of England ethos. It is likely to suit families who want a values-led culture, strong reading and language foundations, and an academically purposeful approach that still makes room for sport, music and pupil leadership. The main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed setting, so families who are serious about Hartwell should plan admissions early and keep contingencies in place.