Denbigh School
Milton Keynes, MK5 6EX · Milton Keynes · secondary school
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2nd of 14 secondary schools in Milton Keynes we can score, 15 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 742 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.2/10 among them, against 8.1/10 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 | 64.0 · 86 | 30% | 2.57 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.3 · 73 | 25% | 1.82 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.2 · 87 | 10% | 0.87 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Denbigh School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 68.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 54.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.3 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.3 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Young Enterprise Competition, MK Magistrates Competition, Bar Mock Trial Competition, English-Speaking Union Schools’ Mace Debate, Biology Olympiad, and Football Academy Programme. Creative Arts productions, Talent shows, and Art Exhibitions are offered. Trips include the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, a ski trip to Italy, Year 8 trip to Paris, Sixth Form visit to CERN, History trip to Belgium and France, and Year 10 cultural trip to Spain and France. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,778 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,700. 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
With the school
What Ofsted said about Denbigh School
Overview
Denbigh School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a school where pupils feel happy and safe, with a renewed vision that is highly evident and largely realised. Leaders have acted swiftly to address areas where outcomes fell below expectations, particularly in the sixth form.
Strengths
- Pupils develop a strong sense of belonging and enjoy the challenge of learning, supported by a large team of expert ‘associate staff’ and specialist pastoral care.
- Behaviour is strong, with staff establishing effective routines that result in lessons being “purposeful and industrious.”
- The school implements an ambitious curriculum, with pupils achieving well, particularly in the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.
- Reading is given high priority, with ‘literacy champions’ promoting a ‘word consciousness’ strategy and expert support helping pupils catch up quickly.
- Absence is low due to a proactive approach to attendance, and the school offers a wide range of creative, sporting, and academic clubs.
Areas to improve
- Not all teachers adapt the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) fully effectively, meaning these pupils do not always learn as well as they could.
- Teachers’ checks on pupils’ learning vary; in some subjects, these checks are less effective, hindering progress by failing to identify gaps or misconceptions in knowledge.
- The school needs to improve staff expertise further to deliver the personal, social and health education curriculum fully.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.6 |
| 2024/25 | 54.3 |
| 2025/26 | 56.2 |
| 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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