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Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
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Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
- Secondary
- Luton LU2 7AE
1 schools in compare list
Ofsted report
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| Effectiveness of leadership and management | Good |
| The quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
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This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: Pupils make good progress across key stage 3 and key stage 4, especially in English, science, religious education, history and geography.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils behave well around school, showing respect for each other and for adults.
Strengths and Challenges: Strong subject knowledge and commitment noted among teachers.
Opportunities for Involvement: School is well regarded by parents, regularly oversubscribed.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders have successfully tackled areas identified for improvement.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Senior leaders meet regularly with subject leads to ensure student progress is accurate.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Safeguarding is effective, pupils feel safe, very little bullying reported.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Pupils say the school is a place where differences are celebrated and where ‘you can feel safe in your own skin’.
Extracurricular Offerings: Introduced business and finance course at key stage 4.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Students feel well prepared for university and apprenticeships.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Pupils with SEN and/or disabilities do well because their individual needs are well understood by both class teachers and teaching assistants.
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About Us
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed, Roman Catholic school located in Bedfordshire, East of England.
It has 1623 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 15 : 1.
At this school, 48% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
96.90% of pupils completing their main study programme.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
Type of SEN provision
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Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
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From the Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
Greeting you at Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Specialist Science College is a wonderful honour for me.
The school has been serving the Luton community for 50 years by giving students a great atmosphere in which to flourish academically and advance in their religion.
The gospels' expression of Christian values—peace, truth, justice, and love—form the foundation of the institution.
As a really diverse community, Cardinal Newman Catholic School honours its students' accomplishments and offers great spiritual care.
Our goal statement, "Together Toward Our Lord, Through Learning, Love and Faith," reflects the importance of the Catholic life of the school in all that we do.
The foundation of our outstanding accomplishments is a committed and diligent crew that is proud to work here.
Our goal at Cardinal Newman is constant improvement, and we put the needs of our kids first in all that we do.
The character of the institution is significantly improved by our thriving Sixth Form.
The fact that the majority of our Year 11 students stay with us for their Sixth Form studies is evidence of the excellent student-teacher connections made at Cardinal Newman.
Because of their exceptional performance and tough curriculum, our students are able to enrol in some of the top colleges, including Oxbridge.
Although we have high academic expectations and objectives, we also give students the chance to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities that help them discover and develop their special abilities and gifts as well as their self-esteem and positive social skills.
Read more
The school has been serving the Luton community for 50 years by giving students a great atmosphere in which to flourish academically and advance in their religion.
The gospels' expression of Christian values—peace, truth, justice, and love—form the foundation of the institution.
As a really diverse community, Cardinal Newman Catholic School honours its students' accomplishments and offers great spiritual care.
Our goal statement, "Together Toward Our Lord, Through Learning, Love and Faith," reflects the importance of the Catholic life of the school in all that we do.
The foundation of our outstanding accomplishments is a committed and diligent crew that is proud to work here.
Our goal at Cardinal Newman is constant improvement, and we put the needs of our kids first in all that we do.
The character of the institution is significantly improved by our thriving Sixth Form.
The fact that the majority of our Year 11 students stay with us for their Sixth Form studies is evidence of the excellent student-teacher connections made at Cardinal Newman.
Because of their exceptional performance and tough curriculum, our students are able to enrol in some of the top colleges, including Oxbridge.
Although we have high academic expectations and objectives, we also give students the chance to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities that help them discover and develop their special abilities and gifts as well as their self-esteem and positive social skills.
Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Academies | Academies | Academies |
| Snobe grade |
B-
|
B-
|
-
|
| Ofset report | Good | Good | - |
| Age range | 11-18 | 11-18 | 11-16 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 15.9 | - | 16.6 |
| Proficient Math | - | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 48% | 98% | - |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | 9.00% | 35.00% | - |
| Day Fees | - | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.29 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.5 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 48% | 34.61% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 71% | 49.94% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 88% | 39.44% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 26% | 11.72% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 44% | 18.33% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.66 | 3.12 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 93.42% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 291 | 218 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 90% | 91% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 26% | 23.92% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 46% | 11.67% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 17% | 46.83% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 8.33% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 0.92% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 1.42% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.19 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 51.2 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 53% | 38.94% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 72% | 52.24% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 71% | 36.35% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 29% | 13.53% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 44% | 20.71% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.73 | 3.26 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 99% | 94.75% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 258 | 210 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 95% | 92.83% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 22% | 24.83% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 57% | 12.67% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 14% | 47% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 8.58% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 0.92% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 1% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.24 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.2 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 41% 4 | 28.6% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 73% 13 | 44.67% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 15% | 29.67% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 8% | 9.07% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 12% 2 | 13.87% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.96 | 2.89 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 99% | 94.18% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 239 | 185 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 94% | 90.45% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 24% | 24.55% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 47% | 8.45% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 22% | 49% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 8.36% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 1.45% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 1% | 2.18% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.14 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.8 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 45% 2 | 31.87% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 60% 6 | 49.53% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 16% | 28.4% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 8% 1 | 9% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 10% | 13.67% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.05 | 3.16 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 93% | 93.73% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 244 | 184 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 86% | 89.27% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | - | 21.55% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | 42% | 5.36% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | 22% | 47.09% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 9.36% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 5% | 2.09% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 1.82% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.3 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 43% | 30.36% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 66% | 49.27% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 20% | 25.73% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 7% | 12.27% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 10% | 14% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 94.56% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 244 | 189 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | - | 50.56% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | - | 22% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | 43% | 4.78% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | 28% | 44.89% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 11.11% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 2% | 2.78% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 1.67% | 2.45% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 28.97 | 26.43 | 30.01 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 29.51 | 25.87 | 29.57 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 9.00% | 5.46% | 13.67% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 128 | 372 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 65% | 65% | 58.58% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 8% | 5% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 21% | 16.75% | 21.16% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 5% | 8.75% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 34.04 | 30.75 | 33.41 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 34.81 | 24.5 | 32.47 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 15.9% | 8.56% | 17.7% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 126 | 415 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 52% | 60% | 60.67% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 13% | 4.5% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 25% | 17% | 17.73% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 9% | 13.75% | 10.69% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.86 2 | 27.49 | 29.39 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 33.95 | 18.69 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 12.7% | 3.9% | 13.07% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 122 | 380 | 232 |
| Students staying in education | 50% | 61% | 57.31% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 16% | 9.5% | 7.77% |
| Students entering employment | 21% | 14.25% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 6% | 8% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 31.55 2 | 25.35 | 29.03 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 33.19 4 | 20.25 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 13.3% | 4.78% | 13.37% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 5 | 25 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 18 | 51.25% | 31.5% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 8% | 3.5% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 17% | 10.5% | 15.81% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 3.75% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 29.14 | 26.8 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 29.84 | 23.43 | 27.73 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 6.0% | 4.56% | 12.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 28 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 10 | 49.5% | 36.26% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 10% | 4% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 11% | 13.25% | 20.03% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 1.25% | 4.23% |
Best Schools 2025
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College Rankings
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Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 23rd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 22nd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
15 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
Local authority ratio 19 : 1