SchoolScoresRushden Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of TOVE LEARNING TRUST
Hayway, Rushden, NN10 6AG
01933 350391 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 September 2022.
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 | Good |
| 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
151 pupils in this year group.
27% — 11 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 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. | 41.6 | 42.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
133 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 3 points below 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. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 89% |
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
47 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 | 12% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 23% | 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. | 23.9 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 125 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 0% | 10% | 40% |
| Psychology | 18 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 9 | 33% | 44% | 26% |
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 11% | 31% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 7 | 0% | 29% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Geography, Mathematics (Further), English Language and Literature, English Literature, 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.
58 students in this year group.
83% — 7 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 4 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. | 83% | 90% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 40% | 26% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 83% |
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.
44 students in this year group.
48% — 22 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 48% | 70% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 7% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 48% | 48% |
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 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 | 175 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 173 |
| Of those, offered a place | 173 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 315 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.0
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 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.7% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 16th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 13th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8% | 16.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 16th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 33% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 40% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.5% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 12% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 47.3 | 30.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 18% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.86% | 0.37% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 93% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.8 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 71% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 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
- The Ferrers School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Huxlow Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Rushden Academy's Ofsted rating?
Rushden Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 September 2022.
How did Rushden Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Rushden Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 173 families put Rushden Academy as their first choice for 175 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 173 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 146209.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.