SchoolScoresCaroline Chisholm School
Academy · All-through, ages 4 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CAROLINE CHISHOLM EDUCATION TRUST
Wooldale Centre for Learning, Wootton Fields, Northampton, NN4 6TP
01604 344744 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 January 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 May 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
322 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Northampton comparisons use the 9 of its 16 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Northampton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 85% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 81% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 109 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 62% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 261 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 71% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 92 parents of children with SEND Joint 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 21% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 55% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78%said yes | 81% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Northampton figures pool parents at the Northampton schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
61 pupils in this year group.
72% — 9 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 72% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 89% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 74% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
275 pupils in this year group.
57% — 15 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 50.4 | 44.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
276 pupils in this year group.
97% — 5 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 62% | 42% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
165 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 22% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 54% | 49% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 35.0 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 421 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 49 | 4% | 16% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 47 | 17% | 38% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 40 | 3% | 20% | 16% |
| Economics | 35 | 3% | 23% | 26% |
| Biology | 26 | 0% | 15% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 24 | 13% | 42% | 30% |
| Law | 22 | 0% | 9% | 17% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 19 | 0% | 16% | 17% |
| Physics | 19 | 16% | 26% | 31% |
| English Literature | 17 | 6% | 24% | 23% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 13% | 20% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 14 | 0% | 7% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 14 | 7% | 21% | 15% |
| Geography | 14 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 12 | 8% | 8% | 26% |
| History | 11 | 0% | 27% | 23% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 10 | 0% | 10% | 24% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 9 | 11% | 44% | 19% |
| Film Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 6 | 0% | 33% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics (Further), Spanish, Art and Design (Fine Art).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
160 students in this year group.
89% — 8 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 15% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 89% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
145 students in this year group.
74% — 17 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 74% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 30% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 74% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Northamptonshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 210 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 156 |
| Of those, offered a place | 139 (89%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 537 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 51 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 46 |
| Of those, offered a place | 46 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 141 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 10 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 20.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0% | 19.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 8.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 79% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2% | 21.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.0 | 21.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 65% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 7.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.09% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 92% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7 | 18.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3 | 13.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 32% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 16.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Northampton High School GDST 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Wootton Park School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Abbeyfield School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Northampton School for Boys 2.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 72% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Caroline Chisholm School's Ofsted rating?
Caroline Chisholm School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 May 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Caroline Chisholm School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Caroline Chisholm School?
78% of the 322 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Caroline Chisholm School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Caroline Chisholm School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 156 families put Caroline Chisholm School as their first choice for 210 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 139 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137089.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.