SchoolScoresChallney High School for Girls
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Girls only
Part of CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST
Addington Way, Luton, LU4 9FJ
01582 571427 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 14 January 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 26 March 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
101 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Luton comparisons use the 8 of its 14 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 86% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 46 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 92% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 70 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 86% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 74% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 17 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 99% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 72% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Luton. Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Luton figures pool parents at the Luton schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
206 pupils in this year group.
48% — 5 points above the Luton average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 48% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 50.1 | 45 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
211 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the Luton average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 13% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 75% | 47% | 13% |
| Further education college | 10% | 27% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 1% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Luton. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 219 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 233 |
| Of those, offered a place | 198 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 443 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.3% | 31.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 2.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 12.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 79.3% | 45.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Lower than 83% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 7.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Lower than 87% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7% | 21.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6 | 14.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.10% | 0.31% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 94% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools in Luton. Higher than 85% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 14.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Al Hikmah Boys School 0.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- King's House Moorlands 0.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Challney High School for Boys 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Chalk Hills Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia 1.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Lealands High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lea Manor High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 1 expected, 1 needs attention · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Houstone School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Icknield High School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Denbigh High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Challney High School for Girls's Ofsted rating?
Challney High School for Girls was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 26 March 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Challney High School for Girls do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 48% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Challney High School for Girls?
93% of the 101 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Challney High School for Girls to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Challney High School for Girls oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 233 families put Challney High School for Girls as their first choice for 219 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 198 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 144312.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.