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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 145872

Chiltern Academy

Free schools · Luton · LU1 3GF

Ages 11–16 · 1,203 pupils · Luton

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

49.6

Overall absence

8.0%

Admissions demand

1.56 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-02-02

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

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 849.6
English & maths grade 5+55%
English & maths grade 4+72%
EBacc entry63%

EBacc APS: 4.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence8.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)25.0%
Unauthorised3.4%
Authorised absence
4.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,246

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

1.56 · Competitive

1st preferences

363

Places offered

232

1st-preference offers

224

Total preferences (any rank)
827
Preferred offers (top 3)
232
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 fill100%

1,203 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,203
Boys / girls
627 / 576
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,203 / 1,200 (100%)
Free school meals
38.2%
FSM pupils
460
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST
Sponsor
Chiltern Learning Trust
Headteacher
Mr Ian Douglas

Location

Address
Gipsy Lane
Postcode
LU1 3GF
Town
Luton
Local authority
Luton
District
Luton
Constituency
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed free schools (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Luton, Luton, 1,203 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 38.2%.

Open schools in Luton
84
Secondary schools in Luton
14
Academies among open schools in Luton
33% (28)
Open schools in LU1
23
Secondary in LU1
3
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 LU1

  • Queen Elizabeth School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Luton · LU2 9AG · Luton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.8
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+41%
    • Absence7.3%

    1.5 miles away

  • The Stockwood Park Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Luton · LU1 5PP · Luton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att836.2
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+23%
    • Absence10.2%

    1.5 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%

    1.6 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%

    2.0 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%

    2.4 miles away

  • Icknield High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Luton · LU3 2AH · Luton

    Ages 11–16

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

    2.7 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Ian Douglas
Telephone
01582310644
Website
https://www.chiltern-academy.co.uk/

Official links