SchoolScoresAbbeyfield School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CREATIVE EDUCATION TRUST
Mereway, Northampton, NN4 8BU
01604 763616 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 19 April 2026.
In short: 1 expected, 6 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
128 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Northampton comparisons use the 4 of its 16 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 12 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Northampton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 19% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 78% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 7% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 78% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 12% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 71% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 48 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 29% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 41% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 119 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 15% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 67% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 37 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 14% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 55% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northampton. Higher than 14% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58%said yes | 79% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Northampton figures pool parents at the Northampton schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
268 pupils in this year group.
42% — about the same as the West Northamptonshire average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 44 | 44.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
233 pupils in this year group.
87% — 5 points below the West Northamptonshire average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 30% | 42% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 52% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
40 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 6% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 24% | 49% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 24.8 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
10 subjects, 111 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Literature | 16 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Physics | 16 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 15 | 0% | 20% | 14% |
| Biology | 12 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 12 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 9 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Sociology | 8 | 13% | 25% | 20% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
57 students in this year group.
91% — 10 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 18% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 91% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
90 students in this year group.
76% — 19 points above the West Northamptonshire average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 76% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 76% | 76% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Northamptonshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 227 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 114 |
| Of those, offered a place | 114 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 306 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.5
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.0% | 20.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.7% | 19.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 40% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.1% | 21.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 50.3 | 21.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Lower than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8% | 7.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.37% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 5th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 90% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3 | 18.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2 | 13.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northampton. Higher than 95% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 29.4% | 16.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Wootton Park School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Northampton High School GDST 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Caroline Chisholm School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Northampton International Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bosworth Independent School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 20% A*/A at A level
- Northampton School for Boys 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 72% grade 5+ English and maths
- Quinton House School 2.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 19% A*/A at A level
- Malcolm Arnold Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Abbeyfield School's Ofsted rating?
Abbeyfield School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 expected, 6 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Abbeyfield School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Abbeyfield School?
58% of the 128 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Abbeyfield School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Abbeyfield School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 114 families put Abbeyfield School as their first choice for 227 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 114 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138858.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.