Harlington Upper School
Dunstable, LU5 6NX · Central Bedfordshire · secondary school
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7th of 16 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire we can score, 27 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 624 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9/10 among them, against 4.1/10 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 | 45.9 · 52 | 30% | 1.57 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.34 · 25 | 25% | 0.61 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.1 · 51 | 10% | 0.51 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harlington Upper School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.34 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.0 out of 10 among them, against 4.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,156 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,360. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their progress scores? What specific extracurricular opportunities are available for students? How does the school manage class sizes with its current capacity?
What Ofsted said about Harlington Upper School
Overview
Harlington Upper School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. Pupils generally enjoy their time at school, reach high expectations, and benefit from an ambitious curriculum that supports their future career directions. The report highlights notable improvements in behaviour and a strong partnership between teachers and sixth-form students.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious for all pupils’, with teachers using guidance to help students develop a ‘good understanding’ of subject knowledge.
- Sixth-form students are ‘well prepared for the future’, acting as role models and achieving well through effective partnerships with staff.
- The school provides ‘effective’ support for pupils at an early stage of reading, helping them become ‘fluent and confident readers’.
- Careers advice is ‘effective’, supporting pupils in making ‘informed, positive decisions’ about their next steps in education or employment.
- Safeguarding arrangements are ‘effective’, with an open culture that puts pupils’ interests first.
Areas to improve
- Teachers need ‘precise information’ about the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure support is consistently effective.
- Strategies to improve behaviour during social times must be strengthened, as a small minority of pupils still display ‘boisterous behaviour’ and use ‘inappropriate language’.
- The school must communicate more effectively with parents to ensure they understand the ‘rationale behind the actions leaders take’ and the positive changes being made.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.4 |
| 2024/25 | 47.8 |
| 2025/26 | 46.1 |
| 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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