The hardest schools to get into in North Northamptonshire
Secondary: 291 families put Brooke Weston Academy first in 2026 and 161 of them (55%) were offered a place.
Reception: 53 families put Stanwick Primary School first in 2026 and 30 of them (57%) were offered a place.
Every state school in North Northamptonshire with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooke Weston Academy · Great Oakley | 291 | 161 (55%) | 180 |
| 2 | Kettering Buccleuch Academy · Kettering · faith | 264 | 167 (63%) | 180 |
| 3 | Bishop Stopford School · Kettering · faith | 309 | 210 (68%) | 216 |
| 4 | Corby Technical School · Corby | 166 | 121 (73%) | 150 |
| 5 | Sir Christopher Hatton Academy · Wellingborough | 339 | 260 (77%) | 270 |
| 6 | The Latimer Arts College · Kettering | 261 | 226 (87%) | 238 |
| 7 | Weldon Village Academy · Corby | 145 | 127 (88%) | 150 |
| 8 | Kingswood Secondary Academy · Corby | 199 | 180 (91%) | 216 |
| 9 | Corby Business Academy · Corby | 146 | 138 (95%) | 200 |
| 10 | Lodge Park Academy · Corby | 46 | 45 (98%) | 102 |
| 11 | Wrenn School · Wellingborough | 251 | 246 (98%) | 290 |
| 12 | Prince William School · Oundle | 227 | 224 (99%) | 241 |
| 13 | Weavers Academy · Wellingborough | 122 | 121 (99%) | 157 |
| 14 | The Ferrers School · Rushden | 143 | 142 (99%) | 149 |
| 15 | Wollaston School · Wellingborough | 211 | 210 (100%) | 231 |
| 16 | Rushden Academy · Rushden | 173 | 173 (100%) | 175 |
| 17 | Kettering Science Academy · Kettering | 149 | 149 (100%) | 270 |
| 18 | Montsaye Academy · Kettering | 112 | 112 (100%) | 148 |
| 19 | Manor School · Wellingborough | 100 | 100 (100%) | 104 |
| 20 | Huxlow Academy · Irthlingborough | 98 | 98 (100%) | 105 |
| 21 | Southfield School for Girls · Kettering | 92 | 92 (100%) | 132 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in North Northamptonshire
What is the hardest school to get into in North Northamptonshire?
For secondary places, 291 families put Brooke Weston Academy first in 2026 and 161 of them (55%) were offered a place. For Reception, 53 families put Stanwick Primary School first and 30 of them (57%) were offered a place.
How many families in North Northamptonshire get their first-choice school?
85.2% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 93.9% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where North Northamptonshire published it in its admissions booklet.