Elastic helium atom scattering (HAS) and linear optical extinction measurements are used to investigate the growth of sodium (Na) films on mica substrates in the surface temperature range between 90 and 300 K. At half a monolayer (ML) surface coverage we observe a maximum of scattered He intensity, which is addressed to Na atoms that fill cleavage-induced holes in the mica surface. It provides a convenient means of calibrating the coverage of the surface. With increasing surface coverage Na clusters are formed on the mica surface. A broad angular distribution of the scattered Helium intensity is observed with a coverage-independent angular width above eight monolayers coverage. From simultaneous optical extinction measurements we deduce that the clusters are oblate with a ratio of semiaxes perpendicular and parallel to the surface plane between 0.23 and 0.165.