Manor School, Wellingborough Review 2026: A School in Transition

Located in the market town of Raunds, Manor School serves a close-knit community in North Northamptonshire. The school is currently navigating a period of significant change following an Inadequate Ofsted rating in 2024. Under the leadership of Principal Adam Crawte, appointed permanently in 2025 after an interim period, the focus is firmly on rapid improvement and cultural reset. While the main school faces challenges, the Sixth Form tells a different story, delivering results that sit comfortably in line with national averages.

The campus, situated off Mountbatten Way, is functional and expansive, reflecting its history as a specialist sports college. Although that title has been dropped, the legacy remains visible in the facilities, including a 3G pitch and sports hall which are hubs of activity.

Currently part of the Nene Education Trust, the school is in the process of transferring to the Meridian Trust, a move expected to bring fresh strategic direction in 2026. The school's stated values—resilience, empathy, aspiration, curiosity, and humanity—are central to the recovery plan. Visitors note that the atmosphere is shifting; the boisterousness of previous years is being replaced by calmer routines, although consistency remains a work in progress.

Mr Adam Crawte leads with a mandate for stability. His tenure began during a turbulent period, and his response has been to restructure leadership and tighten behaviour policies. The latest monitoring visits suggest these roots are beginning to take hold, though the green shoots are younger in some areas than others.

Performance data highlights a sharp contrast between the main school and the Sixth Form.

At GCSE, results in 2024 reflected the school's ongoing challenges. The school ranks 2,811th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 4th locally. The Attainment 8 score of 41.8 sits below the England average of 45.9. More telling is the Progress 8 score of -0.32, indicating that students, on average, achieve about a third of a grade lower than their peers with similar starting points nationally.

However, the Sixth Form paints a brighter picture. Ranked 1,258th in England for A-level outcomes, performance here is defined as "national typical" (middle 35%). In 2024, nearly 47% of grades were A*-B, virtually matching the England average of 47%. This suggests that students who stay the course can and do succeed.

The quality of education is the primary focus of the current improvement plan. Historically, teaching has been variable, with inspectors noting that expectations were not consistently high enough. The new leadership has introduced strict non-negotiables regarding lesson structure and classroom management.

In the lower years, the curriculum is broad, but the rigour required for top grades has sometimes been lacking. Recent changes aim to address this by focusing on core knowledge and recall. In the Sixth Form, teaching is stronger. Smaller class sizes and more focused students allow for the depth of study that is sometimes diluted in the larger main school classes.

Destinations data suggests that the school effectively prepares students for the next stage, particularly employment. In 2024, 32% of leavers moved directly into employment, a figure notably higher than many local competitors.

University progression remains solid for those on the academic track. 46% of the 2024 cohort progressed to university. While Oxbridge numbers are not high, students regularly secure places at varied institutions. The school's strong vocational advice appears to guide students well towards apprenticeships and work, with 6% taking this route.

Manor School is a non-selective academy. Admissions are coordinated by North Northamptonshire Council.

Despite its challenges, the school remains a primary choice for Raunds families due to geography. In the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 1.24 applications for every place offered. This local demand suggests that parents are backing the new leadership's vision for recovery.

The Published Admission Number (PAN) is typically around 180. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and then those living closest to the school.

Pastoral support is undergoing a restructure to better support the school's values. The house system provides a layer of competition and belonging, but the real work happens in the newly centralised student support teams.

Bullying and behaviour were highlighted as concerns in the 2024 inspection. The school has responded with a zero-tolerance approach to disruption and improved reporting systems. Students report that while incidents happen, staff take them more seriously now than in the past.

The school's history as a sports college ensures that physical education remains a strength. The "Manor Sports and Leisure" facilities are excellent, and competitive fixtures are a staple of the school week.

Beyond sport, the extracurricular offer is rebuilding. Performing arts have always been a feature here, with annual productions providing a highlight for the community. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is available and offers students a chance to build resilience outside the classroom.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. The campus is located centrally in Raunds, making it walkable for most local students. Dedicated school transport serves the surrounding villages.

Ofsted Status. The school was rated Inadequate in 2024. While monitoring reports indicate progress, families must be aware that the school is in the early stages of a turnaround plan.

Trust Transfer. The school is expected to transfer to the Meridian Trust in 2026. This will likely bring changes to policies, uniform, or leadership structures.

Results Gap. There is a distinct performance gap between GCSE and A-level. Families should monitor progress closely in Years 10 and 11 to ensure their children are on track for the stronger Sixth Form provision.

Manor School is an institution rolling up its sleeves. The Inadequate rating reflects past failings rather than future intent, and the Sixth Form results prove that academic success is possible here. Best suited to local families who want a community school and are willing to engage with the leadership's drive for higher standards. The main challenge is the time required to turn a large ship around.