One of the oldest schools in Leicestershire, The Robert Smyth Academy traces its lineage back to 1607. While it no longer operates as a selective grammar school, the "Grammar School" ethos lingers in the architecture and the academic expectations. Now part of the Tudor Grange Academies Trust, the school serves the market town of Market Harborough with a blend of heritage and comprehensive values. The 2024 results place the school among the top 20% of secondary schools in England, confirming its status as a high-performing local institution.
The campus on Burnmill Road is a physical timeline of educational history. The original red-brick structures sit alongside modern additions, reflecting the school's evolution from a small boys' grammar to a large co-educational academy. Alumni still refer to it affectionately as "Robert Smyth" or simply "The Smyth".
Mr Daniel Cleary has led the school as Principal since 2018. Under his leadership, the school has solidified its identity within the Tudor Grange Academies Trust, focusing on a "Quality First" teaching approach. The atmosphere is purposeful and orderly; the house system—Bragg, Hammond, Logan, and Wyggeston—provides a competitive and pastoral spine to school life, with students fiercely loyal to their colours during inter-house sports and arts competitions.
Music is a defining pillar of the school's character. The Soul Band and Jazz Band are local institutions in their own right, performing regularly in the community and maintaining a standard often found in the independent sector.
In 2024, students delivered a strong set of GCSE results. The school's Attainment 8 score of 52.7 sits well above the England average of 45.9, indicating that students achieve higher grades across their best eight subjects than is typical nationally.
Ranked 921st in England and 1st in Market Harborough for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the academy performance sits in the "national strong" tier, outperforming 80% of schools in England. The progress score of +0.37 indicates that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points.
A notable 32% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc), confirming strength in the core academic suite of English, mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
46.52%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad but retains a traditional academic core. At Key Stage 3, students cover the full National Curriculum with distinct subject specialist teaching from Year 7. The school uses the "Tudor Grange" model of teaching, which emphasises clear instruction and rigorous checking of understanding.
In the classroom, expectations are high. Teachers push for depth of knowledge, particularly in STEM subjects where uptake at A-level is high. The school has also maintained a commitment to the arts, resisting the trend to narrow the curriculum; drama and music remain central to the weekly timetable rather than just extracurricular options.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
The Sixth Form is a major destination for Year 11 students, though entry is not automatic and requires meeting specific grade thresholds.
In 2024, 58% of leavers progressed to university. Destinations data shows a solid pathway to higher education, with one student securing an offer from Cambridge in the most recent cycle. For those not pursuing degrees, 28% moved directly into employment and 2% into apprenticeships.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 14.3%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Admissions are coordinated by Leicestershire County Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 518 applications for 204 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.5 applicants per place.
With 2.5 applications for every place, entry is fiercely competitive. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and those living in the catchment area. The school's catchment covers Market Harborough and surrounding villages, but due to high demand, living in the catchment does not guarantee a place.
Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the catchment boundaries.
Applications
518
Total received
Places Offered
204
Subscription Rate
2.5x
Apps per place
The House system is the vehicle for pastoral care. Students are placed in vertical tutor groups, meaning Year 7s mix with older students daily. This fosters a sense of family and ensures younger students have mentors and role models.
Safeguarding is robust. The 2022 Ofsted inspection noted that students feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns. The "Student Services" hub provides a central point for non-academic support, dealing with everything from lost property to emotional wellbeing check-ins.
Extracurricular life is vibrant and relies heavily on the staff's willingness to go the extra mile.
The Music Department is a powerhouse. The Robert Smyth Soul Band tours locally, and the choir performs at major county events.
The academy fields teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics. The onsite sports centre and expansive playing fields support a busy fixture list.
The DofE programme is popular, with large cohorts completing Bronze and Silver awards annually.
Annual trips include ski visits to Europe and history tours to the battlefields, ensuring learning extends beyond the school gates.
The Sixth Form Centre has its own identity but remains integrated into the main school. Results in 2024 reflected solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Ranked 1463rd in England and 1st in Market Harborough for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the provision is reliable.
A-level students achieved 47% A*-B grades. While this is slightly below the England average for top grades, the value-added remains positive. The curriculum is predominantly A-level, with some BTEC options in Sport and Business.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is free for all students. Parents are expected to fund the school uniform, which includes a house-specific tie and branded blazer, as well as voluntary contributions for school trips and music tuition.
Families on lower incomes may be eligible for Free School Meals, which also triggers Pupil Premium funding to support their child's education. For Sixth Form students, the 16-19 Bursary Fund is available to help with costs such as transport, books, and equipment.
The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. The site is located on Burnmill Road, a short walk from the town centre. Many students travel by bus from surrounding villages; parents should check Leicestershire County Council transport eligibility as this varies by distance.
Oversubscription: With over 500 applications for roughly 200 places, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Families moving into the area should not assume a place is available without checking with admissions.
Split Lunch: To manage student numbers, the school operates split lunches. This maximises space but can mean siblings or friends in different year groups have different break times.
Sixth Form Entry: Progression to Year 12 is not automatic. Students must meet entry requirements for their chosen subjects, usually a Grade 5 or 6 at GCSE.
The Robert Smyth Academy successfully balances its grammar school heritage with a modern, inclusive comprehensive mission. It delivers strong academic results, particularly at GCSE, without sacrificing the arts or sport. Best suited to students who will thrive in a busy, structured environment and take advantage of the exceptional music and house activities. The main challenge is securing a place.
Yes. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2022, confirming the judgment from 2017. The report highlighted strong leadership, good behaviour, and effective teaching. Academically, it ranks in the top 20% of schools in England for GCSE results.
Yes, heavily. In 2024, there were 518 applications for 204 places, a ratio of roughly 2.5 applications per place. Families living outside the immediate catchment area may find it difficult to secure a place.
The catchment primarily covers Market Harborough and the surrounding villages including Foxton, Great Bowden, and Lubenham. However, due to high demand, residence within the catchment does not guarantee admission. Distance from the school gate is often the deciding factor for the final places.
Yes. The school has a large Sixth Form offering a wide range of A-levels and BTEC qualifications. It is the primary post-16 destination for current students, though it also accepts external applicants who meet the entry criteria.
The uniform consists of a black blazer with the school crest, a house tie (striped in the colour of the student's house), and black trousers or skirt. The distinct house ties—red for Bragg, blue for Hammond, green for Logan, and yellow for Wyggeston—are a key part of the school identity.
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