Rushden Academy
Rushden, NN10 6AG · North Northamptonshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th of 19 secondary schools in North Northamptonshire we can score, 21 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 2.1/10 nationally. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.83 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.7 · 18 | 30% | 0.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.39 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.1 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Rushden Academy overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in 2022. In 2024/25, 27.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.39 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7 out of 10 among them, against 1.8 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh award and Social Action Squad, play football, netball, athletics, or rounders, and attend trips to Paris and Berlin or drama productions. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 961 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,295. 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
How does the school support pupils to close the gap in Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Rushden Academy
Overview
Rushden Academy is a school where pupils enjoy attending and feel safe within a supportive ‘Team Rushden’ community. The inspection found that leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum and fostered strong positive relationships, resulting in good quality education and personal development for most students.
Strengths
- Staff and pupils share a ‘caring ethos’ with high expectations, creating an environment where pupils feel ‘safe and happy’.
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious for all pupils’, with teachers using ‘Rushden teaching and learning foundations’ to help pupils build knowledge effectively.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘supported well in lessons’, with specific provisions like the ‘Hub’ helping them overcome barriers.
- Reading is a priority, with a ‘vibrant’ library and specialist support helping pupils develop a ‘love for reading’.
- Sixth-form students benefit from a ‘positive environment’, expert subject knowledge, and comprehensive preparation for future steps including university and apprenticeships.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum for design and technology, particularly food and nutrition, is ‘not as sufficiently well developed’ as other subjects and requires swift implementation of improvement plans.
- Some teachers do not check well enough that all pupils have ‘secured important knowledge’ before moving on, meaning a minority do not learn as well as they should.
- A small number of pupils have ‘high levels of persistent absence’, preventing them from benefiting fully from the education provided.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to be ‘knowledgeable and vigilant’ and working in partnership with external agencies to protect vulnerable pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.8 |
| 2024/25 | 41.6 |
| 2025/26 | 42.1 |
| 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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