The Duston School Review 2026: An Ambitious All-Through Community

The Duston School occupies a significant place in the west Northamptonshire educational landscape, serving as a rare all-through academy that guides pupils from their first days in Reception through to A-level completion at age 18. Located on Berrywood Road in the suburb of Duston, the school has undergone a steady transformation under the leadership of Mr Sam Strickland, who was appointed as Principal in 2017. With a capacity for over 1,800 students, the school manages a large-scale operation while maintaining a clear, knowledge-rich focus. Its 2024 academic results place it solidly within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting a consistent and reliable performance across both primary and secondary phases.

The atmosphere at The Duston School is defined by a sense of order and high expectations. The school operates under a Knowledge-Rich curriculum philosophy, which permeates the corridors and classrooms. This approach is rooted in the belief that all students, regardless of their starting points, should have access to a deep and rigorous academic foundation. The environment feels purposeful; students move between lessons with a clear understanding of the school's Duston Way values, which emphasise respect, resilience, and ambition.

Since joining the school, Mr Strickland has implemented a traditional approach to behaviour and scholarship. The school’s physical environment is well-maintained, with the newer primary phase buildings sitting alongside the more established secondary facilities. As part of a single-academy trust, the school retains a high degree of autonomy over its direction, which has allowed for a cohesive all-through identity where the primary pupils often benefit from the specialist facilities and older student role models found in the secondary phase.

The primary phase at The Duston School delivered strong outcomes in 2024. 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, a figure that sits significantly above the England average of 62%. This success is mirrored in the higher standard, where nearly 19% of pupils achieved greater depth across these core subjects, more than double the England average of 8%. The school ranks 4580th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and sits at 35th among primaries in the local area.

At the secondary level, the school maintains a solid trajectory. In 2024, the average Attainment 8 score was 48.1, outperforming the England average of 46.2. The Progress 8 score of +0.1 indicates that students make progress that is slightly above the England average from their starting points at the end of Year 6. The school ranks 1393rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and is the 8th highest performing school in Northampton for this stage.

Sixth Form Excellence

The Sixth Form at The Duston School is a significant component of its all-through offer, providing a bridge to higher education and employment for its Year 13 leavers. In 2024, nearly half of all A-level entries (49%) achieved grades A* to B, which aligns with the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1257th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 6th within the Northampton area, making it a competitive choice for local students.

The curriculum at this level is broad, allowing students to specialise in traditional academic subjects alongside vocational options. The teaching is geared toward independence, preparing students for the rigour of university-level study or the demands of high-level apprenticeships.

Teaching at The Duston School is underpinned by a commitment to cognitive science and explicit instruction. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that knowledge builds incrementally from Year R to Year 13. In the primary phase, there is a heavy emphasis on early literacy and numeracy, with a structured approach to phonics that ensures pupils are ready for the more complex demands of Key Stage 2.

In the secondary phase, the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) subjects are prioritised, with 24% of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above across this suite of subjects. The school employs subject specialists who are encouraged to share their passion for their disciplines. Classroom practice often involves regular retrieval practice and low-stakes testing to ensure that knowledge is embedded in long-term memory. The latest Ofsted inspection, which rated the school Good, confirmed that teachers have high expectations and that the curriculum is well-planned to support student progress.

Where Students Go Next

The Duston School has established a robust pipeline to university and employment. For the 2024 cohort, 64% of leavers progressed to university. The school’s academic ambition is highlighted by its success in elite admissions, with one student securing a place at the University of Cambridge in the most recent measurement period.

While university is the most common route, the school also supports diverse pathways. 3% of leavers entered apprenticeships, and 23% moved directly into employment, reflecting the school's focus on employability skills. The Duston Way extends to career guidance, with a dedicated team helping students navigate UCAS applications and employer interviews.

Securing a place at The Duston School is increasingly challenging due to its all-through status and local reputation. For the primary phase, the school received 131 applications for just 56 places in the most recent intake, making it significantly oversubscribed with a subscription proportion of 2.34. This means there are more than two applicants for every available desk.

At the secondary phase (Year 7), the competition is similarly intense. There were 523 applications for 268 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.95. Admissions are coordinated by West Northamptonshire Council. For those not already in the school's primary phase, entry depends heavily on living in the immediate local area once siblings and children with EHCPs are accounted for. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

The school operates a house system that provides a smaller community feel within the large-scale institution. This structure allows for vertical integration, where older students can mentor younger pupils. Pastoral leaders and form tutors are the first point of contact for students, and there is a clear focus on mental health awareness.

The school’s behaviour policy is firm but fair, focusing on Disruption-Free Learning. This ensures that the vast majority of students who want to work hard can do so without interruption. Formal observations confirm that students feel safe and that bullying is handled effectively when it occurs.

The Duston School offers a range of extracurricular activities designed to build character. Sport is a major pillar, with the school utilising its extensive playing fields and sports hall for football, netball, and athletics. The Duston School Sports Academy provides more intensive coaching for those showing particular talent.

In the creative arts, students can participate in school productions and music ensembles. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) is also a focal point, with clubs such as the Robotics Society and various coding challenges encouraging students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is also popular, helping students develop resilience through outdoor expeditions.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, The Duston School does not charge tuition fees. Education is free for all students from Reception through to the Sixth Form. However, there are costs associated with elective activities, such as school trips, certain extracurricular clubs, and instrumental music lessons.

Families may also need to budget for the school uniform, which is available from designated suppliers. The school provides support for families eligible for Pupil Premium, which can include assistance with the cost of trips or uniform. For families seeking information on broader financial support, the school website provides details on the 16-19 Bursary Fund for Sixth Form students.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm for most students. For primary pupils, wraparound care is available through local providers like Kids Planet and Rhyme Time, who offer breakfast and after-school clubs. These services are independent of the school but operate in the local area to support working families. The school is well-served by local walking routes and is a short distance from the Northampton town centre, though parking near Berrywood Road can be busy during the morning drop-off.

• Intense Competition for Places: With a subscription proportion of over 2 for the primary phase, this is an oversubscribed school. Families moving to the area solely for the school should be aware that a place is far from guaranteed.
• Knowledge-Rich Rigour: The school follows a very specific academic philosophy. Students are expected to engage with a high level of factual content and disciplined study. While this leads to strong results, it may feel more formal than some other local community schools.
• All-Through Continuity: While the all-through model offers great stability, it means the peer group stays largely the same for 14 years. For some children, this is a comfort; for others, the lack of a fresh start at age 11 is something to weigh up.

The Duston School is a high-performing, ambitious all-through academy that offers a seamless educational journey from age 4 to 18. It suits families who value a traditional, knowledge-focused curriculum and a disciplined school environment. Its results in both the primary and secondary phases are reliably strong, placing it among the better state options in Northamptonshire. The school is best suited to students who are prepared to work hard and thrive within a structured, large-scale community. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.