Ofsted: No Judgement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #4 in Luton public Top 16% UK

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

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

person Helen Fay (Headteacher)

corporate_fareST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onLuton, LU2 7AE

language Visit Website phone 01582597125

verified

Ofsted

No Judgement

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,649

trending_up

Attainment 8

49.8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#6 in Luton

#1,181 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College is a Academy converter secondary school in Luton, serving ages 11-18.

article

School Summary

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College is an academy converter in Luton, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,655 pupils on roll, of whom 18% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.8, placing the school #6 in Luton and #1,181 of 4,024 nationally. 43.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 23.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 22 A-level subjects. 55.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 24.4% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 13.1% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,113 nationally), out of 59.3% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: +0.11 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is No Judgement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.5 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

49.8

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

43.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

69.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)23.3%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)66.40%

Triple Science Entry17.50%

EBacc Slot Score14.9 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

46.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

69.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)24.3%

Entering EBacc82.20%

EBacc APS4.68

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.5

Grade 5+ E&M

47.20%

Entering EBacc92.50%

EBacc APS4.6

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc88%

EBacc APS4.66

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS4.73

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.96

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS4.05

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

95.5%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92.5%

Apprenticeships2.6%

Employment0.4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1.9%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)SP%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.11

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*5.7%

Achieving A*–A24.4%

Achieving A*–B55.2%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate94.7%

A-level subjects offered22

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.01

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate95.70%

Post-18 Destinations 85.4% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 59.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 5.7%

work Employment 18.7%

Not sustained / NEET8.1%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate96.90%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)89% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 64.1%

stars Top-Third Universities 13.1%

handshake Apprenticeships 9.7%

work Employment 14.5%

Not sustained / NEET9%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

120

Retention rate99.2%

Post-18 Destinations 92.1% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 59%

handshake Apprenticeships 11.2%

work Employment 20.2%

Not sustained / NEET7.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#747 / 4,024	#4	#1,181	#1	—	#1,113	#1,178
2025	#573 / 3,948	#1	#1,121	#1	#725	#1,113	#1,178
2024	#754 / 4,450	#3	#1,368	#684	#1,068	#1,113	#1,178
2023	#775 / 4,321	#3	#1,209	#838	—	—	#785
2022	#777 / 4,199	#4	#1,306	#1,049	—	—	#1,204
2019	#1,105 / 2,711	#5	#1,295	#826	—	—	—
2018	#1,056 / 2,537	#4	#1,113	#1,011	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 May 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 June 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

31 August 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-06-05

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2013-12-10

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2011-03-22

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

7.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.0%(66 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 1,641 pupils. During this period, there were 117 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.1%, 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)	1,641	117	7.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,642	63	3.8%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,627	35	2.2%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,623	47	2.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,621	86	5.3%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,646	80	4.9%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,649	64	3.9%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,654	56	3.4%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,705	29	1.7%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,696	47	2.8%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,701	37	2.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,682	35	2.1%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,692	3	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,688	32	1.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,601	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,601	34	2.1%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,612	23	1.4%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,613	22	1.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,612	37	2.3%	3.8%	4
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,623	44	2.7%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,608	25	1.6%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,620	41	2.5%	3.0%	6
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,623	34	2.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,565	32	2.0%	3.0%	4
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,558	52	3.3%	3.3%	4
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,566	38	2.4%	3.1%	0

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 75 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 50 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 42 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 27 pupils

Visual Impairment 8 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 8 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Physical Disability 3 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.

My child is happy at this school.

72%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

78%Positive

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

21%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree30%

agree45%

disagree11%

strongly disagree11%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree18%

agree41%

disagree25%

strongly disagree11%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree22%

agree28%

disagree13%

strongly disagree22%

don't know3%

not applicable13%

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

yes23%

no77%

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

strongly agree25%

agree15%

disagree25%

strongly disagree30%

Don't know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree13%

strongly disagree6%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree26%

agree47%

disagree13%

strongly disagree8%

don't know7%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree14%

agree50%

disagree20%

strongly disagree14%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree27%

agree51%

disagree11%

strongly disagree10%

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

strongly agree33%

agree45%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree19%

agree38%

disagree23%

strongly disagree14%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes68%

no32%

Top Secondary Schools in Luton

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Denbigh High School

Outstanding

location_on Luton, LU3 1HE

emoji_events #1 in LA

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

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)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

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

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

Denbigh High School

Putteridge High School

Challney High School for Girls

Chiltern Academy

Icknield High School

Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia