Northampton Academy Flagship Status

June 12, 2026

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Northampton Academy is a truly inclusive school where the first consideration is always “how can we get the best out of all students and support everyone through the opportunities and guidance we provide?” The sense of belonging is carried out through all conversations with parents and pupils. The school is particularly committed to embedding themselves in the local community and working with the local community.

An “Inside-Out” School

Northampton Academy has made impressive progress in strengthening community links over the past year. The school has a belief that inclusion cannot be confined to the classroom. Northampton has worked hard to strengthen parent engagement. The main vehicle for this is the Arbour Communication System, but in addition to Arbour Communication the school has launched the “Inside Out Podcast” where students have produced episodes celebrating school achievements and making links with the wider local community.

The new Parent Council has enabled parents and carers to provide regular feedback and dialogue with the school. The council is hosted in the school and has led to engaging discussions around school life. One of the ideas suggested was to improve communication by adding a description to key contact points explaining why and in what situations a parent might need to contact them. The useful and positive collaboration between parents and the school benefits every member of the community.

Over thirty families have been assisted by the Academy Foodbank, and the uniform swap shop has raised over £2,000 for use on future projects. The Academy has also hosted Senior Citizens Bingo and Afternoon Tea for care home residents.

A sense of belonging

The Academy works hard to promote and strengthen a sense of belonging amongst pupils. They benefit from an extensive enrichment programme which ranges from sports to the creative arts. Activities include many different sports, Performing Arts, Lego, walking and many more.

Engagement is carefully tracked and pupils with SEND or in receipt of Pupil Premium are specifically made aware of opportunities to participate and encouraged to avail of clubs and activities. Students are not coerced into taking part but are made aware of activities they might enjoy.

Year 7 pupils’ home learning has been reduced to allow better participation in school clubs and opportunities. The new house system has also been a key part of fostering a sense of belonging, with events such as the Big Quiz or Rowathon sparking competitive spirit but also bringing students and staff together.

School attendance has risen from 92.9% to 94.1% in the past year, demonstrating that the increase in participation and celebration of student achievement is motivating students to attend school regularly and remain engaged in learning.

Where there are concerns the school makes every effort to try and identify and understand what barriers to attendance might exist, by engaging both families and students.

An example of this are the questionnaires given to persistently absent students to ensure the identification of not only the barriers to attendance, but what they like and value about coming to school so the positives can be focused on and used as motivation. Pastoral staff make a considered effort to ensure students know what they ‘are missing out on’ rather than just a clear directive to attend school. This demonstrates Northampton Academy’s commitment to valuing every student and ensuring the welfare and happiness of everyone.

We are very proud to welcome Northampton Academy as a Flagship School and congratulate them on their hard work and commitment to inclusion.