Bishop Stopford School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

Headlands, Kettering, NN15 6BJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Bishop Stopford School is a secondary school in Kettering for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 153 schools in North Northamptonshire. It ranks 1st of 5 secondary schools in Kettering. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in April 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 1 April 2025, report published 14 May 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 April 2025

The core values, 'faith, justice, responsibility, truth and compassion', are deeply embedded at Bishop Stopford School. They inspire pupils to be the best versions of themselves as they engage wholeheartedly with all aspects of school life. Pupils feel safe and are well cared for. They enjoy great relationships with caring and dedicated staff. Pupils get along well together. They celebrate their differences. Discrimination is never tolerated. The highly ambitious curriculum is designed to help all pupils 'realise their unique potential'. Pupils rise to the challenge and achieve extremely well. The school provides exceptionally well for pupils' wider personal development. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their character by taking on leadership roles and acting as role models to their peers in their work to supporting the school and the wider community. The enrichment programme is extensive. Annual residential trips to South Wales in Year 7 and the Isles of Scilly in Year 8 provide memorable experiences and support pupils to build friendships and community spirit. Educational visits to Auschwitz and New York enhance the academic curriculum and provide reflection and inspiration to pupils. Many pupils enjoy the school's vast array of clubs to develop their talents and interests.

What the school should improve

  • In the sixth form, the school's high expectations are not set out clearly enough for students. As a result, some students do not fully develop effective learning habits fully and, therefore, do not achieve as well as they might. The school should make sure that students understand the level of commitment that is required if they are to achieve their full potential.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

215 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score58.7

58.7, 12.6 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths66%

66%, 20.6 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths84.2%

84.2%, 19.4 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc86%

86%, 45.5 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.54

5.54, 1.45 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

177 students

Average point score per A level entry37.44

37.44, 2.44 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,454 pupils on roll, with places for 1,383

Eligible for free school meals6.5%

6.5%, 20 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language10.1%

10.1%, 11.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.2%

7.2%, 7.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.6%

1.6%, 4.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Bishop Stopford School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Southfield School for Girls0.4 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 46.8
Kettering Science Academy1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 37.3
Youth Works Community College1 mileOfsted: GoodNot published
The Latimer Arts College1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.8
Kettering Buccleuch Academy2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 48.3

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
BISHOP STOPFORD SCHOOL
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Miss Jill Silverthorne
Address
Headlands, Kettering, NN15 6BJ
Local authority
North Northamptonshire
URN
137086

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.