Abbeyfield School
Northampton, NN4 8BU · West Northamptonshire · secondary school
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18th of 22 secondary schools in West Northamptonshire we can score, 24 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.3/10 against 852 of them, against 4.0/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 2 | 35% | 0.08 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.4 · 28 | 30% | 0.85 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.03 · 52 | 25% | 1.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.6 · 42 | 10% | 0.42 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Abbeyfield School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.2% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Careers Club, LGBTQ+ club, Tap club, musical theatre club, Rock School, chess club, crochet club, and guitar club. Sports include boys’ and girls’ football, netball, gymnastics, fitness, basketball, rugby, and trampolining. Arts and music offer a school musical, Junior and Senior dance, arts and crafts, tech crew, Open Studio, and KS3 Art Club. A gallery trip to London is organised. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,296 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
**Worth asking on a visit
What Ofsted said about Abbeyfield School
Overview
Leaders are taking “thoughtful and well‑considered action” that has had a “clear and positive impact” on the school’s direction and staff wellbeing. However, pupil achievement is “inconsistent,” with significant gaps for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), while teaching quality and attendance remain variable across the school.
Strengths
- Leaders have an “accurate understanding” of strengths and weaknesses, using this to drive improvements in the curriculum and support for SEND pupils.
- Staff value leaders’ “open approach to workload and wellbeing,” which positively impacts morale.
- The trust provides “effective support,” ensuring statutory duties are met and improvement work remains focused.
- A “well‑developed and embedded careers programme” offers enhanced transition support, particularly for vulnerable pupils.
- Pupils generally feel “welcomed and supported,” with staff responding seriously to bullying and discriminatory language.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teaching is consistent, particularly in checking understanding, addressing misconceptions, and matching work to curriculum goals.
- Strategies for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND must be applied reliably so they can “access the curriculum securely.”
- Attendance systems and routines need consistent application to reduce persistent absence and ensure a calm learning environment.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.7 |
| 2024/25 | 44.0 |
| 2025/26 | 44.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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