Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #1 in Luton public Top 12% UK

Denbigh High School

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

person Mr Jeremy Heath (Headteacher)

corporate_fareCHILTERN LEARNING TRUST

location_onLuton, LU3 1HE

language Visit Website phone 01582736611

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,129

trending_up

Attainment 8

54.3

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Luton

#657 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Denbigh High School is a Academy converter secondary school in Luton, serving ages 11-16. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 2.0× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

article

School Summary

Denbigh High School is an academy converter in Luton, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 1,130 pupils on roll, of whom 33% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 54.3, placing the school #1 in Luton and #657 of 4,024 nationally. 60.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 28.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. 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 school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 2.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.2 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)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

54.3

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

60.20%

Grade 4+ E&M

74.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)28.3%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)73.50%

Triple Science Entry10.60%

EBacc Slot Score16 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

52.6

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

56.20%

Grade 4+ E&M

72.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)26.7%

Entering EBacc84.90%

EBacc APS4.87

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.8

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.4

Grade 5+ E&M

60.00%

Entering EBacc83.20%

EBacc APS5.28

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.75

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc82%

EBacc APS4.78

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.92

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc77%

EBacc APS5.25

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.82

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc77%

EBacc APS4.75

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.83

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS4.59

explore

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.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94.5%

Apprenticeships0.5%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2.7%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships1%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

leaderboard

Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank
2026	#486 / 4,024	#1	#657	#1
2025	#639 / 3,948	#2	#802	#1
2024	#385 / 4,450	#1	#581	#190
2023	#457 / 4,321	#1	#864	#214
2022	#352 / 4,199	#1	#728	#78
2019	#400 / 2,711	#1	#742	#120
2018	#422 / 2,537	#1	#824	#113

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 December 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

14 February 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

07 January 2011

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2023-12-05

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2007-10-10

Section 5 RTI Historic EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

2.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.4%(27 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 1,123 pupils. During this period, there were 27 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.4%, 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)	1,123	27	2.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,128	22	2.0%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,115	15	1.3%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,119	30	2.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,126	28	2.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,124	14	1.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,129	17	1.5%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,129	13	1.2%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,117	13	1.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,118	11	1.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,126	21	1.9%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,119	9	0.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,117	4	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,120	24	2.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,122	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,122	15	1.3%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,123	22	2.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,123	17	1.5%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,123	20	1.8%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,127	23	2.0%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,130	35	3.1%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,134	13	1.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,130	23	2.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,123	30	2.7%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,127	12	1.1%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,126	12	1.1%	3.1%	1

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 76 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 40 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 38 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 18 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

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

Overall, how do parents view this school?

0%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

98%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

100%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

agree17%

don't know50%

not applicable91%

Neither agree nor disagree33%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree47%

agree47%

disagree2%

don't know3%

Neither agree nor disagree2%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree39%

agree50%

Neither agree nor disagree3%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

Don't know2%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree42%

agree50%

Neither agree nor disagree3%

disagree2%

strongly disagree3%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree41%

agree53%

disagree5%

Neither agree nor disagree2%

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

strongly agree31%

agree53%

disagree3%

don't know6%

not applicable2%

Neither agree nor disagree5%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes3%

no97%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

agree100%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes95%

no5%

Top Secondary Schools in Luton

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Putteridge High School

Good

location_on Luton, LU2 8HJ

emoji_events #2 in LA

Challney High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Luton, LU4 9FJ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

Good

location_on Luton, LU2 7AE

emoji_events #4 in LA

Chiltern Academy

Good

location_on Luton, LU1 3GF

emoji_events #5 in LA

Icknield High School

Good

location_on Luton, LU3 2AH

emoji_events #6 in LA

Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia

Good

location_on Luton, LU3 1RF

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Luton arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

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

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

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 SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you 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

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Luton

Putteridge High School

Challney High School for Girls

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

Chiltern Academy

Icknield High School

Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia