The Robert Smyth Academy
Market Harborough, LE16 7JG · Leicestershire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th of 43 secondary schools in Leicestershire we can score, 44 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 577 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.6/10 among them, against 8.4/10 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% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 68.2 · 89 | 30% | 2.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 25% | 1.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 55.1 · 85 | 10% | 0.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Robert Smyth Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in January 2023. In 2024/25, 62.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.8 out of 10 among them, against 8.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,349 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,405. 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 between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Robert Smyth Academy
Overview
The Robert Smyth Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are encouraged to be prepared, kind, and hardworking. Leaders maintain high expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, resulting in positive relationships and a calm, orderly environment.
Strengths
- Pupils behave very well, with staff dealing quickly with any low-level disruption and upholding clear behaviour expectations.
- A high-quality, ambitious curriculum is in place, with teachers breaking down new information clearly and using ‘Do now’ activities to help pupils recall knowledge.
- Pastoral support is a strength, with pupils feeling safe and knowing staff will support them promptly if they report bullying.
- Reading support is securely established, ensuring pupils build fluency quickly to access the curriculum, supported by a culture of reading for pleasure.
- There is a large programme of enrichment activities, including clubs and visits, which broaden pupils’ horizons and deepen their understanding of the world.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, some aspects of the curriculum are not thought out as fully as in others, hindering pupils’ ability to know and remember more.
- Some teachers do not use checks on pupils’ previous learning effectively to identify gaps or address misconceptions, limiting their ability to plan next steps precisely.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where leaders are diligent in protecting pupils from risk and staff are well trained in policies and procedures.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.7 |
| 2024/25 | 53.0 |
| 2025/26 | 55.1 |
| 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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