Huxlow Academy
100%
Capacity
819
Pupils
1.1x
Demand
About Huxlow Academy
Huxlow Academy in North Northamptonshire is a mixed secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11 to 18, currently operating at its full capacity of 819 students. The school serves a community with a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, at 24.5%, which is significantly above the national average. Demand for places is evident: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 135 applications for 120 places, with 103 of those coming as first preferences, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 1.13. This suggests that while the school is popular locally, it is not among the most oversubscribed in the area. The headteacher is Kim Isaksen, and the school has no religious character.
Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2025 judged its overall effectiveness as 'Not judged' following a graded inspection, though the previous inspection in 2021 had rated it 'Inadequate'. The 2025 inspection gave 'Good' ratings for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision, while the quality of education was rated 'Requires improvement'. At Key Stage 4, the school’s Progress 8 score of -0.67 is 'Well below average' and significantly below the local authority average of -0.02. Attainment 8 stands at 37.3, and 50.9% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. In the sixth form, the average A-level grade per entry was a C-, with a value-added score of -0.21, placing it in the 'Average' banding nationally. The school ranks 20th out of 20 secondary schools in North Northamptonshire on Progress 8.
The school offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, astro turf, sports hall, science labs, music rooms, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports on offer include rugby, netball, rowing, and cricket, while clubs range from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Enterprise to debate and gardening. SEND provisions cover a broad spectrum, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health. Parent views are mixed: 55% of respondents would recommend the school, though only 47% agreed their child is happy, and just 42% felt the school ensures good behaviour. This school may suit families who value the wide range of extracurricular activities and SEND support, but who are prepared for a school still working to improve its academic outcomes and parent confidence.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Finedon Road, Irthlingborough, North Northamptonshire, NN9 5TY |
| Headteacher | Kim Isaksen |
| Local Authority | North Northamptonshire |
| Number of Pupils | 819 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.5% |
| School Capacity | 819 / 819 (100% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
20 May 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 25 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.67)
2814th of 3,141
Nationally
248th of 273
In East Midlands
20th of 20
In North Northamptonshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'22/23
19.6
'23/24
26.7
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Design and Technology (Product Design)10
- Psychology10
- Sociology8
- Biology5
- Chemistry4
- English Language and Literature4
- Mathematics3
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
Ofsted Parent View
116 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed120
135
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
103 families put this school as their 1st choice (76% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British82.2%
- Mixed6.0%
- White (other)5.4%
- Asian1.9%
- Black1.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
3
Total schools
2
Oversubscribed
2
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Huxlow Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Finedon Road, Irthlingborough
North Northamptonshire, NN9 5TY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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