Denbigh High School
Luton, LU3 1HE · Luton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.6/10 against 691 of them, against 8.7/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 60.2 · 82 | 30% | 2.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.8 · 94 | 25% | 2.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.3 · 83 | 10% | 0.83 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Denbigh High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.8 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in January 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,130 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,120. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Outstanding Ofsted rating while managing an intake above its designated capacity?
What Ofsted said about Denbigh High School
Overview
Denbigh High School is judged as ‘Outstanding’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where pupils are ‘very proud’ to attend and respond positively to ‘high expectations’ set by staff. Leaders maintain a ‘relentless’ pursuit of excellence, fostering a culture where ‘high achievement for all is our shared responsibility’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘rigorously planned’, ‘broad, innovative, and highly ambitious’, ensuring pupils securely build knowledge and address misconceptions.
- Pupils demonstrate an ‘exceptional attitude to their learning’, are ‘engaged and active’, and support each other to succeed.
- Attendance is ‘exemplary’, and behaviour is very good with ‘very little bullying’ and robust handling of any incidents.
- There is a strong focus on personal development, with a ‘comprehensive’ careers programme and careful preparation for life in modern Britain.
- Staff are ‘well supported with their well-being and workload’, and the trust provides useful training to improve teaching quality.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with pupils feeling safe and confident to seek support if they have concerns about their well-being.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.4 |
| 2024/25 | 52.6 |
| 2025/26 | 54.3 |
| 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 National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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