SchoolScoresLime Academy Hartwell
Special free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Sixth form
Part of LIME TRUST
1 York Street, Luton, LU2 0EZ
01582 280652 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 14 February 2024. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 46.6% | 39.8%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 99.7%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.3%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 52.5% | 40.3%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 12.7% | 12.3%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 31.4% | 37.5%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 0.0 | 5.0 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 0.0% | 3.8% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 7.6 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.0 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 26.5% | 11.9%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- Richmond Hill School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lady Zia Wernher School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2014), confirmed 2023 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- Active Support Education Centre 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Claystone School 2.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- Woodlands Secondary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Lime Academy Hartwell's Ofsted rating?
Lime Academy Hartwell was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 February 2024.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151866.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.