Rushden Academy, Rushden

In its own words: "Rushden Academy provides opportunities for all students to Aspire, Explore and Succeed. At Rushden Academy every student will develop outstanding character and become successful, self-assured and responsible citizens. Together we are Team Rushden. We recognise individual strengths and collectively celebrate shared goals. We achieve success by actively living by our Rushden STARR values of Serve, Thrive, Aspire, Resilient, and Respect."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our sixth form combines the strengths of the two schools; Rushden and Huxlow who work together post-16 to offer a wide range of courses and opportunities to all students in the East Northamptonshire area. We have an excellent tradition of examination success in A-Level, BTEC and Applied courses. We are proud of our students outstanding achievements."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, tennis, athletics and drama.

In 2026, pupils at Rushden Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.6 in North Northamptonshire and 47 across England.

32% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 41% in North Northamptonshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 41.6.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.39: pupils made 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 33.4, against 45.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.8 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 173 families put Rushden Academy as their first choice and 315 named it as one of their preferences, for 175 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 Rushden Academy are The Ferrers School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.2); Huxlow Academy (2.3 miles, Attainment 8 39.8); Wrenn School (3.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45); and Wollaston School (3.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44).

Rushden Academy's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Rushden 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.

Of the 155 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 75% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 43% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 36 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 47% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 25% into work. 4% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (76%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 96 pupils (10%) received SEN support and 37 (3.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Wellingborough Rail Station, about 3.1 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is (Rusden) Hayway (before), 370 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 284 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in North Northamptonshire (141), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Rushden Academy issued 441 suspensions, 47.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 8 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Rushden Academy are Alfred Lord Tennyson School (0.6 miles), Denfield Park Primary School (0.6 miles), Higham Ferrers Nursery and Infant School (0.7 miles) and Higham Ferrers Junior School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.