Huxlow Academy, Irthlingborough

In its own words: "At Huxlow Academy we create the opportunities to enable everyone that walks through our doors to ultimately achieve our vision of “Thriving Through Excellence” Our mission is to achieve this by building a learning community of aspirational and responsible citizens. Huxlow is an inclusive school where every student matters."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Education is invaluable, and our children have one chance to experience it. It is therefore a tremendous responsibility and privilege for me to lead Huxlow Academy, where our goal is to ensure every child has the highest quality academic experience and create memories which last a lifetime."

In 2026, pupils at Huxlow Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.6 in North Northamptonshire and 47 across England.

31% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 41% in North Northamptonshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 41.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.67: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 32.8, against 42.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, French and Sports Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 98 families put Huxlow Academy as their first choice and 162 named it as one of their preferences, for 105 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Huxlow Academy are Rushden Academy (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.1); The Ferrers School (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.2); Sir Christopher Hatton Academy (3.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.8); and Wrenn School (3.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Huxlow Academy.

Huxlow Academy is one of 16 schools run by Tove Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.3 in 2024/25.

116 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Huxlow Academy (as of September 2025): 55% would recommend the school, 65% say their child is happy there and 55% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (74%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (52%).

Of the 171 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 54% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 45 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 51% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 24% into work. 7% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

7.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (5%).

The nearest railway station is Wellingborough Rail Station, about 2.9 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Huxlow School (before), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 53 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Northamptonshire (141).

In 2024/25, Huxlow Academy issued 263 suspensions, 32.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Huxlow Academy are Irthlingborough Junior School (0.3 miles), Irthlingborough Nursery and Infant School (0.3 miles), Finedon Mulso Church of England Junior School (1.4 miles) and Henry Chichele Primary School (1.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.