Rushton Primary School, Kettering
Rushton Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Kettering, part of Symphony Learning Trust. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in May 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 25th-highest of the 35 schools in Kettering with published results, and 10,359th of 14,452 across England. It was 88% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2015)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 75 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to North Northamptonshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
Rushton Primary School in detail
Rushton Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "At Rushton Primary School, we believe that every child should feel known, valued and inspired to be the very best they can be. As a small school with a big heart, we nurture a strong sense of family and belonging."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include gymnastics, basketball, multi-sports and gardening.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Rushton Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 60% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 73% in North Northamptonshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 71% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Rushton Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Rushton Primary School as their first choice and 61 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Rushton Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Rushton Primary School are Rothwell Junior School (1.9 miles); Rothwell Victoria Infant School (2 miles, Good); Brambleside Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 80% reading, 78% maths); and Havelock Junior School (2.4 miles, Good, 74% reading, 71% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Rushton Primary School.
Rothwell Junior SchoolRothwell Victoria Infant SchoolBrambleside Primary SchoolHavelock Junior School
The trust
Rushton Primary School is one of 20 schools run by Symphony Learning Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 73% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
11.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 12 pupils (12.9%) received SEN support and 8 (8.6%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Kettering Rail Station, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rushton Village DRT (drt), 40 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Northamptonshire (141).
Suspensions and exclusions
Rushton Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
North Northamptonshire published that the last place for 2026 entry went to a family 3.64 miles away (straight line). The cut-off moves every year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from June 2015, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Rushton Primary School is a kind and caring school. Pupils are happy. One pupil shared, 'My school is special because it feels like a little family.' Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and nurturing. Pupils feel safe. They feel confident about sharing any worries or concerns with adults in school. One pupil said, 'At this school, all of the adults really listen to us.'
The school is ambitious. It has recently gone through a period of significant change. This includes the positive development of several subject areas. The school wants all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, to achieve their full potential.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Children get off to a secure start in the Reception Year. They have the opportunity to explore and take risks. 'Wild Wednesday' sessions provide children with the opportunity to learn outdoors, engage with their natural surroundings and follow their own interests. Relationships between staff and children are warm and nurturing. Staff support children's early language development. They skilfully question children and introduce them to new vocabulary. This supports children to develop their communication skills effectively.
The school prioritises early reading and phonics. Staff are well trained to deliver the phonics programme. Children talk positively about reading. Pupils' reading books are closely matched to the sounds they have been learning in phonics lessons. This helps them to develop their reading fluency. Sound charts in classrooms help pupils to revise what they have learnt. Comfortable reading areas, stocked with high-quality texts, encourage pupils to read independently for enjoyment. The reading curriculum beyond phonics requires further development. It does not clearly identify the important knowledge and skills that pupils should learn. Reading lessons do not always build on what pupils already know.
From Ofsted's May 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its June 2015 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
11.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 71% to 80% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 79% to 60% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 86% to 73% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
23.3
Avg class size
20.0
Infant (KS1)
26.5
KS2
4
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Rushton Primary School
Inside Rushton - 02.10.26
2 Oct 2026
Inside Rushton - 25.09.26
25 Sep 2026
Inside Rushton - 18.09.26
18 Sep 2026
Inside Rushton - 11.09.26
11 Sep 2026
Inside Rushton - 24.07.26
24 Jul 2026
Inside Rushton - 17.07.26
21 Jul 2026
From Rushton Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Rushton Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Rushton Primary School.
- Rhino Sports AcademyAt the school · Not yet graded
Nurseries
Rhino Sports Academy is at Rushton Primary School.
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to Rushton Primary School, with their latest published grades:
- Glendon Farm Montessori And Forest School - Pre-school, 1.6 milesOfsted, 15 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Oak Tree Day Nursery - Day nursery, 1.9 miles
- Little Leaders Daycare Ltd - Pre-school, 2.0 milesOfsted, 21 June 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Term dates
Rushton Primary School is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see North Northamptonshire's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Rushton Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Rushton Primary School is in North Northamptonshire; for families living there:
- North Northamptonshire's school travel policy: Home to school transport policies and codes of conduct
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight.
The typical figure for schools in North Northamptonshire is 9 (the median across 154 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Rushton Primary School
Will you get a place at Rushton Primary School?
North Northamptonshire published that the last place at Rushton Primary School offered on distance for 2026 entry went to a family 3.64 miles away. For 2026 entry it had 12 first choices for 15 places. The report sets your home postcode against these figures.
£9.99 once (inc. VAT; £19.99 for up to three schools), or Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time. What's in the report
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
88%
Available places
92 pupils
105 places
13 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Across North Northamptonshire council
Places available
4,565
Applications
3,751
Got 1st preference
93.9%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All primary applications across North Northamptonshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Future places in the local planning area
DfE estimates the montsaye Primary planning area (North Northamptonshire) will have 577 spare primary places in 2027/28.
Source: Department for Education, School capacity: Academic year 2024/25 (published 19 March 2026), estimates of future school place demand by planning area. Council pupil forecasts against reported places, counting places councils and DfE plan to add or remove; rounded to whole places. Explore Education Statistics
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
12
SEN Support
8
EHC Plans
21.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
93
Total Pupils
55
Boys
38
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
5
Teachers
18.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£41,665
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,279
Per pupil
£650k
Total funding
£11k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.8%
Overall absence
7.0%
Persistent absence
86
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Rushton Primary School
What are SATs results like at Rushton Primary School?
Of the pupils at Rushton Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 80% reached the expected standard in reading and 60% did so in maths.
What is Rushton Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Rushton Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2024, was ungraded. At its last graded inspection, in June 2015, it was rated Good.
How close to Rushton Primary School do you need to live?
North Northamptonshire published for September 2026 entry that the last place offered at Rushton Primary School on distance went to a family 3.64 miles away.
Is it hard to get a place at Rushton Primary School?
Rushton Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 88% of its 105 places.
How big are the classes at Rushton Primary School?
Classes at Rushton Primary School average 23.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Rushton Primary School?
Rushton Primary School has around 93 pupils on roll. 12% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Rushton Primary School?
4.8% of sessions were missed at Rushton Primary School in 2024/25. 7% of pupils were persistently absent.
Does Rushton Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Rhino Sports Academy (registered, not yet graded).
How many road collisions happen near Rushton Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight. The typical figure for schools in North Northamptonshire is 9 (the median across 154 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Rushton Primary School?
Rushton Primary School is at Station Road, Rushton, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 1RL.
Sources: North Northamptonshire admissions booklet; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)