Brooke Weston Academy Review 2026: One of England's Top-Achieving Comprehensive Schools

Thirty years of ambition have shaped Brooke Weston Academy into one of England's most consistently high-performing comprehensive schools. Founded in 1991 by Hugh de Capell Brooke, a local landowner, and Garry Weston, owner of Associated British Foods, the school was born as a City Technology College with a singular mission: to transform educational opportunity in Corby. Today, that mission remains unchanged. The academy serves approximately 1,185 students aged 11-18, drawing from Corby, Kettering, and surrounding towns. Teachers here are notably passionate about their subjects. The building itself forms a distinctive pentagon around a central courtyard, with each department occupying its own designated corridor, creating a professional environment that students describe as both impressive and genuinely supportive. The school is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2023), with sixth form provision and personal development flagged as outstanding features. Year-on-year, 90% of leavers progress to university or secure employment with further training. The school ranks 826th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 18%.

Past the gates at Brooke Weston, the first thing you notice is intentionality. There are no informal playtimes; instead, the school operates with what staff call a "professional atmosphere." Students move between lessons purposefully, and behaviour standards are consistently high. The five-term year structure, with eight-week blocks followed by two-week breaks, creates natural rhythm and opportunity for intensive teaching without the fatigue that traditional terms can bring. The school day runs from 8:35am to 3:35pm across five lessons, interrupted only by a 15-minute breakfast break and 30-minute lunch. This uninterrupted approach minimises behavioural issues and creates fewer opportunities for bullying to take root.

Principal Clare Haworth arrived in 2024, returning to the school where she previously served as Vice Principal. She brings international experience from leading West Island School in Hong Kong, and that global perspective is evident in how the school approaches inclusion. With over 40 nationalities represented among students, Brooke Weston has genuinely embraced diversity as a source of strength. The school's core value of "Ambition for All" permeates everything. Students are expected to push their comfort zones, and teachers hold high expectations across the board. The atmosphere never feels harsh or competitive in an unhealthy way. Rather, there is genuine warmth. Form tutors play a pivotal role, acting as parents-in-school for their tutees. This pastoral structure, combined with dedicated inclusion support led by staff like Emma Baxter (the school's Young Carers Lead), means vulnerable students receive genuine attention. The school identified 18 young carers on roll and coordinates specialist support alongside wellbeing meetings and relaxation activities throughout the year.

The physical environment reinforces this professional tone. The pentagon building design with its glass link blocks creates a sense of openness and transparency. Each department has dedicated study areas with computers, allowing students to work independently. The Newman Library, named in honour of Gareth Newman (the school's founding head), stands as a centre of learning. Design and Technology facilities are exceptionally well-resourced, including CAD/CAM equipment, CNC lathes, laser cutters, textile and sewing areas, and a dedicated video editing studio with chroma-key facility. Science laboratories are described as state-of-the-art, and students clearly feel a sense of ownership over these facilities.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, Brooke Weston students achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.8, above the England average. The school ranks 826th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 18% of schools. This sustained high performance is particularly notable given that the school draws from a comprehensive, non-selective intake. The 2024 cohort achieved strong passes (Grade 5 and above) in English, Mathematics, and Science at rates of 73%, 69%, and 82% respectively, compared to national figures of approximately 70-80% in these core subjects.

English Baccalaureate performance, which measures breadth across traditional academic subjects, shows 38% achieving Grade 5 or above across the Ebacc qualification. Progress 8, a value-added measure that tracks pupil progress relative to their starting attainment, stands at +0.54, indicating students make above-average progress from their entry points. This is particularly significant for a comprehensive school, which takes students across all ability ranges.

A-Level Performance

In 2024, sixth form students achieved impressive results across 27 A-level subjects. The school reports that 55% of A-level entries achieved A*-B grades, and just over 8% of entries earned the top A* grade. These figures place the school above the England average for A-level attainment. A-level take-up in science remains strong, and the school offers rigorous academic subjects including Latin, further mathematics, and the sciences taught as separate qualifications. The school ranks 872nd in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle tier but still above average.

Over 90% of sixth form leavers in 2024 secured places at universities across the country. The school reports strong progression to Russell Group institutions, with multiple students each year securing places at leading universities. Most significantly, one student achieved an offer from Cambridge in 2024, testament to the academic rigour and mentoring available. The school benefits from high-quality partnerships with universities and provides onsite careers guidance through a dedicated adviser. Career fairs and vocational learning placements ensure students understand the breadth of opportunities available beyond traditional academic progression. For leavers not pursuing university, apprenticeships and direct employment with further training represent strong alternatives; 66% of the 2023-24 cohort progressed to university, 6% to apprenticeships, and 18% to employment.

Teaching here follows clear structures and high expectations. The curriculum is ambitious and deliberately broad at Key Stage 3. Students study traditional academic subjects (English, mathematics, science, history, geography, RE) alongside modern languages (French, German, Spanish), design technology, ICT, art, and performing arts. The school operates a fast-track two-year Key Stage 3 programme, allowing for flexibility in Key Stage 4 and sixth form subject selection. This accelerated approach reflects the school's confidence in its students' ability to progress rapidly.

At GCSE, students choose from a wide range of options alongside compulsory English Language, English Literature, mathematics, and science. The breadth is impressive: languages, geography, history, design technology, food, textiles, RE, business studies, Latin, sports studies, media, music, dance, and drama all feature. This allows students to construct individualised pathways reflecting their interests. The English Baccalaureate is encouraged but not mandatory, yet the school has ensured strong uptake.

Sixth form offerings are equally comprehensive. Twenty-seven A-level subjects span the traditional sciences, mathematics (including further maths), English Literature, history, geography, psychology, economics, business, modern languages, classics, design technology, computer science, performing arts, PE, and art. Applied courses run alongside traditional A-levels, ensuring students can access vocational pathways if preferred. Beyond the formal curriculum, all sixth form students engage in the "Ticket for Life" programme, which equips them with independent living skills, employment skills, finance workshops, and community engagement. This explicit focus on real-world readiness reflects the school's commitment to developing not just graduates but rounded young adults.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music occupies a central place in school life at Brooke Weston. The school benefits from a dedicated music technology suite, music practice rooms with an excellent range of instruments, and a recording studio. The annual prizegiving in September celebrates musical achievement alongside academic success, a signal of how seriously music is taken. Students participate in ensemble performances throughout the year, with concerts and musical events featuring regularly on the school calendar. The Performing Arts department, which incorporates music, drama, and dance, prioritises student leadership and peer performance. Many students learn instruments through individual lessons arranged via the music department.

Drama and Performing Arts: Professional and Accessible

The Performing Arts department coordinates the school's annual musical production, an event that has grown to become unmissable. Recent productions have included Bugsy Malone, Legally Blonde, and Grease, each generating such demand that performances have run across multiple nights to accommodate sell-out audiences. The Weston Theatre provides a fully equipped venue with professional-standard lighting and sound systems. These are not school shows in the stereotypical sense; they are genuinely impressive productions involving students from all year groups, with substantial orchestras, sophisticated choreography, and ambitious set design.

Beyond the main musical, a dance studio with sprung flooring and surround sound hosts regular performances. The drama studio features a fully equipped lighting rig. Participation in this programme develops genuine confidence and technical competence. The school partners with Pauline Quirke Academy, which runs Saturday performing arts sessions in comedy, drama, film, and musical theatre for ages 4-18, bringing external expertise and raising standards further.

STEM and Technology: Highly Equipped

Design and Technology is exceptionally well-resourced. The suite features CAD/CAM facilities with A3 colour laser printer, CNC lathes, wood-turning lathes, metal working equipment, scroll saws, pillar drills, and jigsaws. A dedicated textiles area with sewing machines and cookery rooms support food technology. Students engage in practical making alongside digital design, and projects often combine both. The video editing studio with chroma-key (blue-screen) facility, refurbished at significant cost, allows students to produce broadcast-quality media projects.

Science teaching benefits from state-of-the-art laboratories. Biology, chemistry, and physics are taught as separate sciences throughout secondary, with triple science available at GCSE for those pursuing science A-levels. The school's IT infrastructure supports digital learning across all subjects, with electronic whiteboards in all classrooms and learning bases, and student accounts providing accessible storage and resources.

Sports: Excellence and Participation

Brooke Weston maintains close partnerships with external sports providers including Volleyball England, Kettering Hockey Club, and Corby Swimming Pool. The school's own fitness suite, purpose-built in recent years, provides modern equipment and operates not just for students but for staff and community members. Floodlit astroturf and multiple courts support netball, tennis, and hockey. Rugby, cricket, football, and athletics all feature prominently. Sports leadership opportunities allow senior students to develop coaching and mentoring skills. The school hosts an annual sports day at Corby Triangle, showcasing track and field disciplines across the school community.

Enrichment and Leadership Opportunities

Weekly clubs in dance, maths, chess, art, and debating run after school. The school's enrichment programme is genuinely extensive. Duke of Edinburgh Award programme runs through bronze and silver levels, with expeditions providing outdoor challenge. Combined Cadet Force offers military and leadership training, and students take this seriously; one Year 11 student gave a moving trumpet rendition of The Last Post during the school's Remembrance event. Medical programmes expose interested students to healthcare pathways. Student ambassador groups take on leadership roles in organising events and initiatives. Charity fundraising is integral to school culture, with mufti-day collections supporting local and national causes. Students engage in community volunteering, visiting residential homes, assisting at animal shelters, and supporting local primary school sports activities.

The school's Innovation Enrichment Community (IEC) framework encourages students to take on independent projects, pursue competitive academic challenges, and engage in volunteer schemes. Students are regularly directed to external opportunities, lectures from visiting professionals, educational challenges, and overseas trips. The school runs residential experiences including the Year 6 residential to the Isle of Wight and overseas expeditions for sixth formers.

Brooke Weston is a non-selective, comprehensive secondary school open to all abilities. Admission into Year 7 is coordinated through North Northamptonshire local authority. In 2024, the school received approximately 675 applications for 174 entry places, making it significantly oversubscribed. The subscription ratio of 3.88 applications per place demonstrates substantial local demand. Sixth form entry involves no formal entrance examination; sixth formers progress from Year 11 internally, supplemented by external applicants who meet entry requirements (typically GCSE grades 5 and above in intended A-level subjects, though flexibility is shown for motivated students).

The school is part of the Brooke Weston Trust, a growing multi-academy trust spanning primary and secondary schools across Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. This Trust status provides access to professional development resources through the Ambition Hub and the Northamptonshire Teaching School, where Brooke Weston Academy serves as the lead school.

The school day runs 8:35am to 3:35pm. Students arrive from 8am onwards to access facilities and participate in morning activities. Facilities remain open until 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, allowing extended clubs and activities beyond formal lessons. The school operates five terms per year, each eight weeks long followed by two-week breaks (except summer, which is four weeks).

All students are issued with a smart card functioning as attendance register, bus pass, library card, and payment card for the restaurant. Mobile phones must be switched off and stored in lockers during the school day. Uniform for Years 7-11 consists of black trousers or skirt, white shirt, school tie, and jumper. Sports lessons require school sports kit and trainers. Year 12 and 13 students dress in formal business attire.

Transport is available through school buses serving routes throughout the catchment area, with parent payment required. Students can also walk, cycle, or be driven to school. Parking for visitors is available onsite in designated bays.

Form tutors are central to pastoral provision. As there are no traditional Heads of Year, tutors handle all student care issues, supported by their Head of Department and senior management if needed. This structure creates direct relationships and personalised attention. The school employs a dedicated safeguarding team and maintains robust safeguarding procedures, which have been commended in inspection findings.

Mental health support is prioritized. The school coordinates mental health awareness weeks, youth carers support (as noted earlier), and access to counselling services. Students are encouraged to talk openly about wellbeing, and the school has developed a culture where seeking help is normalised rather than stigmatised. Academic progress is tracked closely, and intervention happens quickly when students struggle. Attendance is emphasized, with the school recognising the correlation between attendance and achievement. Home-school communication is regular and constructive, with parents kept informed of both successes and concerns.

Oversubscription and distance. With 3.88 applications per place, entry is genuinely competitive. Families should verify their precise distance to the school via the FindMySchool distance tool. Given non-selective admissions, distance remains the primary determining factor after looked-after children and siblings, so proximity matters significantly.

Full curriculum engagement expected. Whilst a traditional comprehensive offering breadth, the school's fast-track curriculum and high expectations mean students need to be ready to engage fully. There is no option for coasting or minimal engagement; the culture emphasizes "going the extra mile."

Term structure. The five-term year is unusual. Whilst it offers rhythm and intensive learning blocks, families should plan holidays around school dates carefully, as the pattern differs from traditional school terms and may affect holiday booking.

Brooke Weston Academy stands as evidence that exceptional education thrives within the state comprehensive system. Thirty years of consistent high performance, paired with genuine innovation in enrichment and pastoral care, have created something genuinely special. The school's GCSE results place it in the top 18% of schools in England (FindMySchool data), yet it maintains a non-selective, inclusive intake. The sixth form pathway is strong, with 90% university progression and consistent Oxbridge success. Beyond results, what distinguishes this school is the attention to whole-student development. The performing arts facilities rival independent schools. The STEM resources are exceptional. The pastoral structure is unusually personalised. Students emerge not just with grades but with confidence, skills, and a sense of having been part of something ambitious.

The main challenge is securing a place. With oversubscription running at nearly four applications per place, geography becomes crucial. For families within reasonable distance, and looking for a high-performing state comprehensive with genuine breadth and depth, Brooke Weston Academy delivers.