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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Improved significantlyURN 109567

Downside Primary School

Community school · Luton · LU4 8EZ

Ages 4–11 · 1,015 pupils · Luton

School website

Ofsted

Improved significantly

KS2 expected (RWM)

66%

Overall absence

5.4%

Admissions demand

0.98 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Improved significantly

Inspection date

2024-12-02

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)66%
Higher standard (RWM)12%
Avg scaled score — reading
105.0
Avg scaled score — maths
106.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
108.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)13.9%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
3.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.1%
Enrolments in measure
956

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary 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

0.98 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

127

Places offered

131

1st-preference offers

127

Total preferences (any rank)
245
Preferred offers (top 3)
130
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1

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 fill97%

1,015 pupils · 1,050 places

Pupils on roll
1,015
Boys / girls
515 / 500
School capacity
1,050
Capacity fill
1,015 / 1,050 (97%)
Free school meals
20.5%
FSM pupils
206
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Miss K Hooker

Location

Address
Chaul End Lane
Postcode
LU4 8EZ
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
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
8 on roll / 8 capacity

Local context

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

Mixed community school (primary), Ages 4–11, in Luton, Luton, 1,015 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 20.5%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Luton
84
Primary schools in Luton
52
Academies among open schools in Luton
33% (28)
Open schools in LU4
20
Primary in LU4
12
Open schools in Luton LA
79
Primary in Luton LA
46

Nearby primary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in LutonNear LU4

  • Foxdell Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU1 1TG · Luton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS262%
    • Absence5.7%
    • FSM25.5%
    • Demand0.91

    0.7 miles away

  • Beechwood Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU4 9RD · Luton

    Ages 3–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM22.6%
    • Demand0.96

    0.7 miles away

  • Maidenhall Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU4 8LD · Luton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence7.0%
    • FSM22.1%
    • Demand0.99

    0.7 miles away

  • Norton Road Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU3 2NX · Luton

    Ages 5–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM30.8%
    • Demand1.00

    0.9 miles away

  • Denbigh Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU3 1NS · Luton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS270%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM24.8%
    • Demand1.39

    1.0 miles away

  • Leagrave Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Foundation school · Primary

    Luton · LU4 9ND · Luton

    Ages 3–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM26.2%
    • Demand1.72

    1.0 miles away

  • Beech Hill Community Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Luton · LU4 8BW · Luton

    Ages 3–11

    • KS262%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM28.6%
    • Demand0.96

    1.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Miss K Hooker
Telephone
01582587160
Website
www.downside-primary.co.uk/

Official links