Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
Luton, LU2 7AE · Luton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th of 13 secondary schools in Luton we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 886 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.4/10 among them, against 6.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 43.4 · 46 | 30% | 1.37 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.38 · 78 | 25% | 1.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.8 · 69 | 10% | 0.69 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 46.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.38 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,655 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
Since the inspection was in 2024, what specific improvements have been made to the science curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils in reaching the 46.4% attainment benchmark in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
Overview
Cardinal Newman Catholic School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel valued within its Catholic identity and receive high-quality guidance. The curriculum is ambitious and well-planned, ensuring pupils are well prepared for their next steps in education or employment. While teaching typically supports strong achievement, there are inconsistencies in how staff facilitate deeper learning for complex topics.
Strengths
- Pupils feel happy and safe, supported by staff who know them well and prioritise their well-being and personal development.
- The curriculum is carefully planned and ambitious, with teachers possessing strong subject knowledge and using effective strategies to check pupil understanding.
- Reading is a significant strength, with targeted support and paired reading helping pupils become confident and fluent readers.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported, enabling them to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- Behaviour is managed successfully through positive relationships, and pupils receive effective careers guidance and work experience opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Some teachers do not consistently make appropriate teaching choices to allow all pupils to extend their knowledge, limiting their ability to consolidate complex concepts.
- The school needs to further develop work to ensure all staff implement highly effective teaching strategies consistently well.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.5 |
| 2024/25 | 50.0 |
| 2025/26 | 49.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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