Bishop Stopford School

A Church of England comprehensive that outperforms most selective schools in the country. With a Progress 8 score of 1.02, students here achieve an entire grade higher than predicted across all their subjects, placing Bishop Stopford in the top 2% of schools in England for progress. The April 2025 Ofsted inspection rated Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management all Outstanding. Faith matters here, but not as a filter; rather as a framework that shapes character, community, and a genuine culture of kindness. Over 1,450 students from more than 80 primary schools make this their home, and the oversubscription (2.33 applications per place) tells its own story.

The school occupies a sprawling site on a residential road, a short walk from Kettering town centre. Low-rise buildings from multiple eras create a campus feel, with the original 1960s structures joined by modern extensions and refurbishments. The grounds are immaculate; there is no litter, and the outdoor spaces provide breathing room between lessons.

At the heart of the school sits a chapel, a rare feature for a state comprehensive, where Bible study groups meet and students of all faiths can find quiet space for reflection. A dedicated prayer room accommodates worship for those of other faiths. The Christian ethos manifests not as formal religiosity but as practical kindness: the school explicitly teaches students to be upstanders not bystanders, and language that could be deemed insulting is challenged directly.

Jill Silverthorne has led the school since 2018, having arrived in 2001 to lead English before later overseeing Expressive Arts. Her journey from a disadvantaged community in South Wales to headship here, after a decade teaching at a Rutland sixth form college, has shaped her commitment to valuing each individual. She is visible around the school, popping out of her office to congratulate students on recent achievements. Staff turnover is low, and many teachers have been here over a decade. The values of Faith, Justice, Responsibility, Truth and Compassion are displayed prominently and referenced in daily behaviour, not just in assemblies.

Students wear blue sweatshirts and ties in Key Stage 3, switching to black in Key Stage 4. Sixth formers dress in business attire. The dining experience centres on The Olive Grove, a large restaurant with a separate sixth form cafe. Food is excellent, and the environment encourages the community atmosphere the school prizes.

GCSE Performance

Bishop Stopford ranks 423rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% of schools in England. Locally, it ranks 1st among schools in Kettering.

The 2024 results tell a compelling story. The Progress 8 score of 1.02 means students achieved a whole grade higher than predicted across all their subjects. The Attainment 8 score of 64.1 exceeds the England average significantly, and 75% of students achieved grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics. Nearly half (48.8%) achieved strong passes across the English Baccalaureate subjects.

Setting begins in mathematics from Year 7 and extends to science and modern foreign languages from Year 8. All students take religious education and one language (French or Spanish) at GCSE. Science results place the school in the top 1% nationally, while English, history and geography also perform strongly. Over half the cohort takes combined science, with the remainder pursuing triple science.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form ranks 981st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, it ranks 2nd among providers in Kettering.

In 2024, 55% of A-level grades were A*-B, with 23% at A*/A. The average grade was B-. With 188 students completing their studies, this is a substantial sixth form where students can find their academic community. Most take three A-levels from 24 subjects offered, with four permitted for those studying further maths. STEM subjects prove most popular, alongside psychology, sociology, business and economics.

The sixth form was rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025, with inspectors noting that clearer expectations would help students fully develop effective learning habits. The school has responded by strengthening its approach to independent study and academic target-setting.

Teaching follows a structured approach with high expectations. Class sizes average 27 in the main school, supported by whole-year themed days that bring subjects to life. Teachers know their students well, having often taught here for over a decade, and parents report a culture where extension work appears where appropriate.

Modern foreign languages attract particular praise for engaging teaching methods that include quizzes and interactive activities. The curriculum is broad: pupils choose one humanities strand (History or Geography) and then add options from art, textiles, drama and music, alongside computing, PE, design technology, food technology or health and social care.

The sixth form operates from a dedicated modern block with university-style study areas, tutorial rooms and social facilities. Students on target can earn the privilege of leaving site during free periods, encouraging responsibility while maintaining accountability. The Extended Project Qualification is offered selectively to around 10% of the cohort, ensuring quality over quantity.

Learning support serves approximately 6% of students on the SEN register, below the national average. The school attributes this to strong progress that reduces the need for ongoing intervention. Dyslexia is most common, followed by autism and ADHD. Inclusive classrooms are the norm, with adjustments such as seating arrangements and permission to doodle built into everyday practice. Some students receive one-to-one or small-group support.

Approximately 74% of sixth form leavers progress to university. Around a third reach Russell Group institutions, with Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough and the two Nottingham universities proving popular destinations. The school maintains dedicated Oxbridge and Medical Science programmes, supporting students through competitive applications.

In the most recent data, 19 students applied to Oxford and Cambridge, with 5 receiving offers and 4 securing places. All successful applicants went to Cambridge. Nine students secured medical school places, and some have progressed to Ivy League universities in the United States.

Degree apprenticeships have grown in popularity, with students securing places with Mercedes and in City of London finance. The school holds Gold Standard accreditation for careers work, and apprenticeship pathways in engineering, construction and healthcare attract a growing cohort.

Just over a third of students leave after GCSEs, mainly for vocational courses at local colleges. The school supports these transitions as valid pathways rather than failed ambitions.

Bishop Stopford is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, 495 applications competed for 212 Year 7 places, a ratio of 2.33 applicants per place. The faith-based admissions policy prioritises looked-after children, those with EHCPs naming the school, then siblings, with remaining places allocated according to faith criteria.

Applications for Year 7 September 2026 entry closed on 31 October 2025, with the National Offer Day scheduled for 2 March 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Applicaa platform, with supporting documentation including evidence of church attendance where applicable.

Students arrive from over 80 primary schools across Northamptonshire, Rutland and South Leicestershire. The geographic reach reflects both the school's reputation and the willingness of families to travel for the educational experience.

The sixth form welcomes up to 75 external students annually, with around 40% of the cohort joining from other schools. Sixth form entry is academic rather than faith-led, requiring 50 points from best eight GCSEs, including grade 5 in English. Subject-specific requirements apply; further maths demands a grade 7 in mathematics. Open Afternoons for September 2026 entry ran on 13th, 14th and 15th January 2026, offering prospective students the chance to experience lessons and meet staff.

The pastoral structure avoids one-size-fits-all approaches. Students remain with the same form tutor throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, building relationships over five years. Non-teaching heads of year, introduced after the pandemic, ensure someone is always available for support without competing classroom demands.

All students identify two trusted adults within the school community. The chaplain, Mrs Hutchinson, provides counselling and spiritual support, while a visiting external counsellor attends weekly. Peer mentoring programmes train older students to support younger ones, and wellbeing classes explicitly teach self-care strategies.

The school provides a dedicated email address (thisisnotok@bishop.com) for students to raise concerns confidentially. A Mental Health Support booklet is available to students and parents alike. Sixth formers have access to additional counselling one morning per week, with appointments arranged through pastoral staff.

Behaviour is calm and consistent. The school will not tolerate language deemed insulting, and the Pride group ensures LGBTQ+ students feel included. Black History Month activities include poetry competitions, and the curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure diverse cultural representation.

Clubs and Societies

Over 70 clubs and activities run throughout the week, covering everything from chess to crochet, gardening to debating. The Stopford Charity Committee (SCC), founded in 2008, engages students from all year groups in fundraising for various causes. High achievers can access the Brilliant Club, and the school has also hosted a philosophy conference.

Debating club finished second in a recent six-school competition. Drama runs most evenings as a club activity; every other year, the school hires a local theatre for an all-school production. Recent performances include School of Rock, involving over 90 participants from actors to technical crew to costume makers. Sixth formers collaborate with the National Theatre to write their own plays.

Music provision includes choirs, bands, ensembles and orchestras. Approximately 8% of students learn instruments in school, with well-equipped music rooms containing guitars, ukuleles, drums and multiple keyboards.

Sport

The school holds Sport School of the Year (Secondary) recognition from the North Northamptonshire Active Communities Awards for its broad PE curriculum and extracurricular provision. Eight target sports receive particular focus: badminton, tennis, netball, trampolining, cricket, basketball, football and table tennis.

Facilities include AstroTurfs, pitches, courts, a sports hall and a multi-use games area. The Bishop Stopford Sports Centre opens to local clubs and community groups. The U14 boys achieved recognition as 2023 State School Hockey Champions, and teams regularly compete at county level. Termly house games culminate in end-of-year sports day, while the sports leaders programme sees students coaching in local primary schools.

STEM

STEM days bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life through hands-on projects and external speakers. Enterprise days, including careers in medicine events, connect classroom learning to real-world applications. The school's science results in the top 1% nationally reflect the strength of provision.

Trips and Residentials

The residential programme begins in Year 7 with an outward bound trip to Govilon in Wales. Year 8 students visit the Scilly Isles, while Year 9 offers language immersion trips to France or Spain. Year 10 ski trips complement regular fixtures. Sports tours have reached Canada and Singapore, while previous residential destinations include Hawaii, Italy, Australia, Belgium, France and Iceland.

Duke of Edinburgh Award achieves strong participation, with students progressing through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

The school day runs from approximately 8am to 3:15pm, with activities extending to 5pm. The site is accessible from Kettering town centre, with the train station providing links for students travelling from Rutland and South Leicestershire. Some school buses serve the catchment area.

The Olive Grove serves hot meals and lighter options throughout the day. The sixth form cafe provides a separate social space for older students. For families seeking to visit, open events typically run in October for Year 7 entry and January for sixth form entry; specific dates are published on the school website in August annually.

Faith requirements for Year 7 entry. The admissions policy prioritises applicants who can demonstrate church attendance and commitment to Christian faith. Families of other faiths, or none, may find places available but should understand the Christian ethos is genuine and pervasive. Daily collective worship, chaplaincy involvement and religious education are central to school life.

Oversubscription is significant. With 2.33 applications for every Year 7 place, securing entry is competitive. Families should ensure they meet the faith criteria and submit applications on time. The school draws from over 80 primary schools across three counties, indicating its regional reputation and the lengths families will travel.

Academic pressure exists. The culture of high expectations means some students feel pressure at times. Progress 8 scores of 1.02 do not happen by accident. The message from the school is that standards are demanding but not intended to come at the expense of wellbeing; families seeking a more relaxed pace should consider whether this environment suits their child.

Sixth form expectations require adjustment. Ofsted noted that clearer expectations would help sixth formers fully develop effective learning habits. Students joining from schools with different approaches may need time to adapt to the independence expected here.

Bishop Stopford delivers exceptional academic outcomes within a genuinely caring Church of England community. The Progress 8 score of 1.02 places it among the highest-performing comprehensives in England, while the April 2025 Ofsted inspection confirms Outstanding quality across four of five categories. This is a school where faith provides framework rather than barrier, where kindness is taught as explicitly as curriculum content, and where over 70 clubs ensure every student can find their passion.

Best suited to families who value academic ambition within a Christian ethos, who want their children to achieve highly while also developing as compassionate individuals. The faith requirements for Year 7 entry are real, and the competition for places is fierce. For those who secure a place, the educational experience justifies the effort. Families can use the FindMySchool Comparison Tool to view local alternatives side-by-side.