301 applications for just 112 places at Northampton’s most in-demand school

Wootton Park School received 301 first-choice applications for just 112 places for 2026-27 entry, equivalent to 2.7 applications per place.

The figures, compiled by SchoolFacts from Department for Education school-level admissions data, show six of West Northamptonshire’s 21 secondary schools received more first-choice applications than they had places available. The remaining 15 received fewer.

Northampton School for Boys was close behind Wootton Park, receiving 571 first-choice applications for 218 places – 2.6 for every place.

Northampton Academy was third, with 459 first preferences for 283 places, equivalent to 1.6 per place.

It was followed by Northampton School, which attracted 309 first choices for 209 places, or 1.5 per place.

Chenderit School recorded 229 first-choice applications for 166 places, while The Duston School received 313 for 262 places.

Northampton School for Girls had exactly one first-choice application for each of its 262 available places.

The figures are based on the number of families naming each school as their first preference divided by its published admission number and do not necessarily show how many applicants were ultimately offered places.

Laurens Bruynseels, founder of SchoolFacts, said: “Wootton Park School received 301 first-choice applications for 112 places this year.

“Because most oversubscribed schools admit on distance, where a family lives largely decides which schools are realistic for them.”

Primary school figures show Overstone Gate Primary School was the most in-demand for Reception places, recording 2.4 first-choice applications per place.

Wootton Park School followed with 1.6, ahead of Bracken Leas Primary School on 1.4 and John Hellins Primary School on 1.3.

The analysis covers 126 primary schools and 21 secondary schools across West Northamptonshire and uses Department for Education admissions data for 2026-27 entry.