The Duston School

  • All-through
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 18
Report card: Strong standard

Berrywood Road, Duston, Northampton, NN5 6XAOpen in maps

The Duston School is an all-through school in Northampton for ages 4 to 18. It is one of the 204 schools in West Northamptonshire. It ranks 5th of 15 secondary schools in Northampton. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 10 March 2026, report published 10 May 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion
Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching
Strong standard
Achievement
Strong standard
Attendance and behaviour
Strong standard
Personal development and wellbeing
Strong standard
Leadership and governance
Strong standard
Early years
Strong standard
Post-16 provision
Strong standard
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 March 2026

Pupils are happy and enjoy learning at The Duston School. Across each stage of the school, pupils are polite and friendly. They get along with their peers and enjoy warm relationships with staff. Children in the early years eagerly engage with learning as they make the most of the exciting activities on offer. In the primary and secondary phases, pupils consistently demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning. They listen carefully to teachers and strive to do their best. Sixth-form students are mature and confident, acting as positive role models for their younger peers. Pupils feel welcomed and safe. Bullying and discrimination are never tolerated. Any unkind behaviours are swiftly dealt with by caring and committed staff. Routines for good behaviour are very well established. Classrooms, corridors and social areas are calm and orderly. The school's culture is built on high expectations and aspiration for all. Despite the school's large size, there is a tangible sense of community that all pupils feel part of. As a result, attendance is high. Pupils benefit from a consistently high quality of teaching all through the school. Each stage is designed to make sure that pupils are ready for their next steps in learning. Across the different phases and range of subjects, pupils achieve well. When pupils face barriers to learning, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, staff strive to make sure that they receive the support that they need to be successful. Pupils who face other challenges, for example pupils known to social care and young carers, benefit from excellent support and care for their wellbeing that helps them to thrive. Pupils enjoy a broad range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities designed to help them strengthen their character and prepare them to be active citizens in modern Britain. These include house events, competitions, charity activities, trips, visits and after-school clubs.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders should continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils.

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths72%

72%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths7%

7%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score107

107, 1 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

273 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score50.0

50.0, 3.9 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths48.4%

48.4%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71.8%

71.8%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc60.1%

60.1%, 19.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.66

4.66, 0.57 above the England average of 4.09.

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

106 students

Average point score per A level entry37.71

37.71, 2.71 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

2,064 pupils on roll, with places for 1,830

Eligible for free school meals15.7%

15.7%, 10.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language15.6%

15.6%, 6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.7%

17.7%, 2.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.8%

1.8%, 4.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Duston School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Quinton House School0.9 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 56.6
Bosworth Independent School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 8.5
Northampton International Academy2 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodAttainment 8: 36.4
Malcolm Arnold Academy3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.4
Campion School3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 46.2

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
LUMINARA EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
4 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Samuel Strickland
Phone
01604460004
Website
thedustonschool.org
Address
Berrywood Road, Duston, Northampton, NN5 6XA
Local authority
West Northamptonshire
URN
138214

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.