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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 142310

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College

Academy converter · Luton · LU2 7AE

Ages 11–18 · 1,655 pupils · Luton

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

48.5

Overall absence

6.5%

Admissions demand

1.14 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2024-06-23

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.38
−20+2
Attainment 848.5
English & maths grade 5+47%
English & maths grade 4+69%
EBacc entry93%

EBacc APS: 4.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence6.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.9%
Unauthorised1.3%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.1%
Enrolments in measure
1,417

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.14 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

285

Places offered

249

1st-preference offers

234

Total preferences (any rank)
439
Preferred offers (top 3)
249
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill118%

1,655 pupils · 1,400 places

Pupils on roll
1,655
Boys / girls
876 / 779
School capacity
1,400
Capacity fill
1,655 / 1,400 (118%)
Free school meals
18.8%
FSM pupils
256
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Northampton
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST
Headteacher
Helen Fay

Location

Address
Warden Hill Road
Postcode
LU2 7AE
Town
Luton
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Luton
District
Luton
Constituency
Luton North
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
VI - Visual Impairment; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
16 on roll / 18 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Luton, Luton, 1,655 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 18.8%. SEN provision includes: VI - Visual Impairment; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Northampton.

Open schools in Luton
84
Secondary schools in Luton
14
Academies among open schools in Luton
33% (28)
Open schools in LU2
21
Secondary in LU2
4
Open schools in Luton LA
79
Secondary in Luton LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in LutonNear LU2

  • Icknield High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU3 2AH · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att850.6
    • P80.5
    • EM5+60%
    • Absence7.8%

    1.0 miles away

  • Lea Manor High School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Luton · LU3 3TL · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att834.4
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+26%
    • Absence10.6%

    1.2 miles away

  • Stopsley High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU2 7UX · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+42%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.6 miles away

  • Lealands High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Luton · LU3 3AL · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att843.4
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence7.6%

    2.0 miles away

  • Denbigh High School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU3 1HE · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att855.4
    • P80.8
    • EM5+60%
    • Absence5.9%

    2.1 miles away

  • Putteridge High School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU2 8HJ · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att848.3
    • P80.2
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence5.0%

    2.1 miles away

  • Challney High School for Girls

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU4 9FJ · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.0
    • P80.7
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence5.7%

    2.5 miles away

  • Challney High School for Boys

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU4 9TJ · Luton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att848.7
    • P80.6
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence7.4%

    2.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Helen Fay
Telephone
01582597125
Website
http://www.cardinalnewmanschool.net/

Official links