St Matthew's Primary School
Luton, LU2 0NJ · Luton · primary school
Check the area around this school
31st of 37 primary schools in Luton we can score, 46 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.0/10 against 2,071 of them, against 2.8/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 57.0 · 32 | 40% | 1.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 1.0 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Matthew's Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 1.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 884 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are available in the after-school club? How does the school monitor progress for the 1.0% of pupils who reach the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about St Matthew's Primary School
Overview
Pupils at St Matthew’s Primary School receive a high-quality education, characterised by an “ambitious” curriculum and “well structured” lessons. The school fosters a positive environment where children are “happy,” behave calmly, and develop strong personal resilience through initiatives like the ‘Happy Centred School’ approach.
Strengths
- Early years provision is “Outstanding,” with children settling quickly and becoming “independent, confident and curious learners.”
- Reading instruction is highly effective, featuring a “clear structure and sequence” in phonics that helps pupils become “confident, fluent readers.”
- Staff provide robust support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they “access learning with their peers.”
- Pupils enjoy a “wide range of clubs and sports activities” and take pride in representing the school.
- Teachers maintain a “sharp focus on vocabulary,” particularly supporting pupils for whom English is not their first language.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, pupils “do not revisit what they have learned across the year,” leading to less confidence in remembering key knowledge.
- Pupils have “less understanding of the benefit their activity has on the wider community,” limiting their development as active citizens.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 54% |
| 2023/24 | 60% |
| 2024/25 | 57% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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