SchoolScoresHuxlow Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of TOVE LEARNING TRUST
Finedon Road, Irthlingborough, NN9 5TY
01933 650496 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 20 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
116 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
North Northamptonshire comparisons use the 10 of its 21 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 11 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 | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 77% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 80% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 70% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 56% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 102 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 22% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 65% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 45 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 38% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 67% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55%said yes | 72% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). 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. North Northamptonshire figures pool parents at the North Northamptonshire 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
150 pupils in this year group.
31% — 7 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 31% | 38% | 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. | 41.9 | 42.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 3.8 | 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.
147 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the North Northamptonshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 34% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
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
33 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 46% | 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. | 23.8 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 79 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 14 | 0% | 21% | 19% |
| Sociology | 12 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Mathematics | 10 | 0% | 20% | 40% |
| Biology | 9 | 0% | 11% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physics, English Language and Literature, History, Business Studies:Single, Geography, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Graphics), Art and Design (Photography), Design and Technology (Product Design), Italian.
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.
31 students in this year group.
97% — 7 points above the North Northamptonshire average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North 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. | 97% | 90% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 10% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 42% | 26% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 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 North 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 105 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 98 |
| Of those, offered a place | 98 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 162 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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 | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 44% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.8% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 17th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 16.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 18th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 26% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.2% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 32.1 | 30.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.49% | 0.37% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 83% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.1% | 16.2%* | 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
- Rushden Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Ferrers School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Huxlow Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 20 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Huxlow Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Huxlow Academy?
55% of the 116 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Huxlow Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Huxlow Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 98 families put Huxlow Academy as their first choice for 105 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 98 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 149433.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.