Ofsted: Outstanding

Woodlands Secondary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Sandra Clarke

location_onLuton, LU3 3SP

language Visit Website phone 1582572880

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

262

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Age Range

11-18

summarize

Woodlands Secondary School is a Community special school school in Luton, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Woodlands Secondary School is a community special school in Luton, admitting pupils aged 11-18. The school has approximately 263 pupils on roll, of whom 46% are eligible for free school meals.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 10.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2024

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2023

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2018

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

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23 November 2022

Inspection Report

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02 November 2016

Inspection Report

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17 January 2013

Inspection Report

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03 December 2009

Inspection Report

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25 April 2007

Inspection Report

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07 February 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-05-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2016-11-02

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-01-17

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.0%(8 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 263 pupils. During this period, there were 9 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.4%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	263	9	3.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	264	15	5.7%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	261	4	1.5%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	262	4	1.5%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	260	9	3.5%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	265	12	4.5%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	262	6	2.3%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	265	5	1.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	260	6	2.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	261	7	2.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	265	2	0.8%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	260	1	0.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	259	3	1.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	258	4	1.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	259	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	259	0	0.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	258	0	0.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	222	0	0.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	218	0	0.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	218	0	0.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	189	0	0.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	191	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	189	0	0.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	174	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	173	0	0.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	173	0	0.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Severe Learning Difficulty 165 pupils

Profound & Multiple Learning 50 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 31 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 4 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

15.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree62%

agree31%

strongly disagree8%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree54%

agree38%

strongly disagree8%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree46%

agree31%

strongly disagree8%

not applicable15%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes100%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree54%

agree38%

strongly disagree8%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree31%

strongly disagree8%

don't know23%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree62%

agree31%

strongly disagree8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree54%

agree38%

strongly disagree8%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree38%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree38%

agree46%

disagree8%

strongly disagree8%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree46%

agree38%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

Staffing

Teacher Turnover