The Duston School
Northampton, NN5 6XA · West Northamptonshire · all-through school
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6th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 814 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.1/10 among them, against 5.3/10 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 | 86 | 35% | 3.01 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 44.0 · 47 | 30% | 1.42 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.0 · 50 | 10% | 0.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Duston School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.3 out of 10 among them, against 6.2 out of 10 nationally. The school was inspected in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Combined Cadet Force, Young Enterprise, and the school newspaper. Sports include golf, football, netball, and swimming, alongside music and performing arts. Trips include a visit to Woburn Safari Park.
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,064 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,830. 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 specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the separate Ofsted grades from the March 2026 inspection reflected in
What Ofsted said about The Duston School
Overview
The report describes a school where "consistently high-quality teaching" ensures pupils achieve well, with outcomes consistently better than national averages. Leaders have established a "positive culture built on high expectations," resulting in a calm, orderly environment where pupils are happy, feel safe, and demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning.
Strengths
- "Consistently high-quality teaching throughout the school" ensures pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well and are "well prepared for their next steps."
- Attendance is high due to careful monitoring and close work with families to "minimise any barriers to positive attendance rates."
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "precisely identified," with expert phonics delivery and effective support ensuring pupils with lower starting points "catch up quickly."
- A "positive culture" fosters warm relationships between staff and pupils, with bullying and discrimination being "rare and never tolerated."
- Robust inclusion systems and a "positive impact centre" provide bespoke support, ensuring vulnerable pupils and those with SEND "thrive" alongside their peers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.4 |
| 2024/25 | 50.0 |
| 2025/26 | 46.0 |
| 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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