Rushden Academy
About Rushden Academy
Rushden Academy is a popular choice among local families, with 302 applications for 173 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1. 75. Of those applications, 190 put the school as their first preference, and 168 first-preference offers were made. While the school does not publish a parent-view survey score, this level of demand suggests a solid reputation in the community. The school is a mixed, non-denominational secondary with a sixth form, led by headteacher Jonathan Firth. It currently has 932 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1295, so there is some room for growth. The most recent Ofsted inspection, in September 2022, rated the school Good overall, with Good marks across every category including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This is a significant turnaround from its previous inspection in 2016, when it was rated Inadequate.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Sept 2022Source: Ofsted, 11 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Source: rushden-academy.net. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Rushden 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