Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #5 in Luton public Top 20% UK

Chiltern Academy

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

person Mr Ian Douglas

corporate_fareCHILTERN LEARNING TRUST

location_onLuton, LU1 3GF

language Visit Website phone 01582310644

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,165

trending_up

Attainment 8

52.4

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GCSE Rank

#3 in Luton

#825 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Chiltern Academy is a Free schools secondary school in Luton, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Chiltern Academy is a free schools in Luton, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 1,203 pupils on roll, of whom 38% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.4, placing the school #3 in Luton and #825 of 4,024 nationally. 62.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 29.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 5 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.4 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

52.4

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

62.80%

Grade 4+ E&M

72.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)29.8%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)70.30%

Triple Science Entry10.90%

EBacc Slot Score16.3 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

49.5

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

48.10%

Grade 4+ E&M

69.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)25.7%

Entering EBacc67.50%

EBacc APS4.78

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

55.00%

Entering EBacc63.00%

EBacc APS4.68

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.64

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS5.19

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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.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

89.9%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86.6%

Apprenticeships1.7%

Employment1.7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

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

ApprenticeshipsSP%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

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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	#1,029 / 4,024	#5	#825	#1
2025	#1,069 / 3,948	#3	#1,194	#1
2024	#1,242 / 4,450	#7	#1,179	#684
2023	#832 / 4,321	#4	#622	#326

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

02 February 2023

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

1 Evaluations

2023-02-02

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

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

4.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.4%(40 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,191 pupils. During this period, there were 49 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.1%, 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)	1,191	49	4.1%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,204	57	4.7%	7.8%	3
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,193	35	2.9%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,200	35	2.9%	7.1%	4
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,207	35	2.9%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,157	44	3.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,165	73	6.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,174	39	3.3%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	920	32	3.5%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	923	32	3.5%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	932	42	4.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	688	16	2.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	684	2	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	690	14	2.0%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	445	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	445	9	2.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	450	7	1.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	211	2	0.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	210	5	2.4%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	210	4	1.9%	3.8%	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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 42 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 31 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 18 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 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.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

0%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

87%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

91%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

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

strongly agree32%

agree21%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know11%

not applicable85%

Neither agree nor disagree21%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree44%

agree42%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

Neither agree nor disagree10%

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

strongly agree35%

agree48%

Neither agree nor disagree9%

disagree2%

strongly disagree4%

Don't know2%

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

strongly agree45%

agree43%

Neither agree nor disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

Don't know2%

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

strongly agree38%

agree47%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

Neither agree nor disagree13%

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

strongly agree27%

agree37%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

not applicable11%

Neither agree nor disagree20%

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

yes10%

no90%

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

strongly agree31%

agree62%

strongly disagree8%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes89%

no11%

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

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

Good

location_on Luton, LU2 7AE

emoji_events #4 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.

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

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

Icknield High School

Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia