Kettering Buccleuch Academy, Kettering
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school gives young children an excellent foundation for learning with a strong focus on communication, reading and writing from the start. Teachers know their pupils well and adapt lessons to help every child succeed, including those with additional needs. The school also provides fantastic opportunities for older students, with strong university progression and impressive career guidance described by students as 'epic'.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional early years provision with excellent language development and phonics-based reading
- Ambitious post-16 programme with students achieving above national averages and progressing to top universities
- Strong focus on reading, spelling, handwriting and mathematics throughout the school
- Inclusive culture with effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs
- Positive behaviour managed through consistent policies and 'conscious discipline' approaches in primary
Areas for Improvement
- Secondary pupils not fully convinced that discriminatory language is being tackled effectively
- Recent dip in disadvantaged pupils' outcomes, though strategic action is having positive impact
- Some teaching quality variation, though most lessons are high-quality
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Student mentoring, masterclass facilitation, work-related learning activities
Kettering Buccleuch Academy is a strong school that provides an excellent start in early years and ambitious post-16 provision, with expected standards across most other areas including achievement, attendance, behaviour, and curriculum delivery.
At a Glance
25.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 82% to 75%. Maths has remained stable at around 73%. Writing has remained stable at around 70%.
Class Sizes
23.5
Avg class size
29.8
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
72
Total classes
13 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
1,808 pupils
1,820 capacity
12 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Kettering
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Kettering
Admissions Demand - North Northamptonshire
Places available
4,332
Applications
4,139
Got 1st preference
82.9%
Got preferred school
95.5%
Secondary admissions across North Northamptonshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(16)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.12141%
Overall absence
17.75%
Persistent absence
1,600
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Kettering Buccleuch Academy
Grange Primary Academy
Kettering Park Infant Academy
Kettering Park Junior Academy
Brambleside Primary School
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Compass Primary Academy
Kingsley Special Academy
Millbrook Junior School
Millbrook Infant School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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