Ages
A welcoming and friendly faith-based school that sets high expectations for all its pupils, gives them loads of opportunities and avoids the one-size-fits-all approach to pastoral care and discipline that we see in so many big schools. One pupil – a first for us – asked if he could read us a poem he’d written about his school, where he talks of ‘golden opportunities’, ‘adventures unwinding’ and ‘vibrant debate’. High praise indeed. No wonder parents fight to get their children in here.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,487 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 405 ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Local authority
- North Northamptonshire
Headteacher
Head
Jill Silverthorne MA
Since 2018, Jill Silverthorne, who joined the school in 2001 as head of English and expressive arts. Grew up in the 1980s in a disadvantaged community in the valleys of south Wales. Always wanted to teach. English degree, PGCE and MA, all from Lei
Entrance
Heavily oversubscribed, with around 330 pupils applying for the 216 year 7 places. Entrance is on a faith-based priority system, with siblings also favoured. Pupils come from around 80 primary schools, mainly in Northamptonshire, Rutland and south
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Just over a third leave after GCSEs, mainly to vocational courses at local colleges. Vast majority of sixth formers to university, around a third to Russell Group. Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield recently most popular, ‘all conveniently on the Eas
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2023, 39 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 84 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level, 25 per cent A/A* (56 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 38 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 86 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level,
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Consistently impressive results for a non-selective school. We saw purposeful classrooms and engaged students, and picked up a good vibe between staff and pupils. Setting in maths from year 7 and science and MFL from year 8. At GCSE, everyone take
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Just six per cent on the SEN register, way below the national average. School says this is because they make such good progress that they stop needing additional support: ‘We have a lot of students with diagnoses who are not on the register.’ Dysl
Arts & extracurricular
Choirs, bands, ensembles, orchestras – you name it, they’ve got it. The week we visited, there was a concert showcasing strings, rock band, choir, guitar ensemble, concert band and soloists. Staff get stuck in too – currently 13 in the choir. Caro
Sport
Not the shiniest sports facilities if you’re comparing to newer local schools. But there’s certainly nothing to complain about, with a sports hall, AstroTurfs, pitches, courts and MUGA. Nice to see all the gym machines being used by younger years
Ethos & heritage
Now over 50 years old, the school is located at the end of a residential road not far from the centre of Kettering. Lots – around nine, reckoned our guide – of low-level buildings, some dating back to the 1960s, others more modern. The whole place
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
A welcoming and friendly school – you feel it as soon as you walk in. Big emphasis on kindness and feeling part of a community, with parent after parent talking about how happy their child is here. Pupils stay with the same form teacher up to the
Pupils & parents
Parents are very supportive of the school, describing it as ‘easily the best in the area’. Several we spoke to are educationalists and know what a good school should look like – and even they struggled to find fault. Many came here themselves, and
The last word
A welcoming and friendly faith-based school that sets high expectations for all its pupils, gives them loads of opportunities and avoids the one-size-fits-all approach to pastoral care and discipline that we see in so many big schools. One pupil –
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Requires improvement
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
