Classpot

Harlington Upper School

Central Bedfordshire, LU5 6NXSecondaryAges 13–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Oct 2023
Progress 8
-0.34
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
184 1st-choice / 202 places
Ranking
#2,322
of 3,141 nationally

About Harlington Upper School

Harlington Upper School’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.34 places it above the Central Bedfordshire local authority average of -0.46 for secondary schools, meaning pupils here make more progress than the typical student across the area. That gap is modest but consistent: the school ranks 10th out of 16 schools in the LA on this measure, putting it in the top half locally. Nationally, it sits in the 74th percentile, which is a solid mid-table position for a state secondary. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 44.4 is a useful benchmark, though without a direct LA average for that metric, it’s the Progress 8 comparison that really tells the story. Harlington is not an outlier in either direction, but it is clearly doing better than the average school in its own authority, which is a reassuring sign for parents considering it as a solid, dependable option.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range13 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressGoswell End Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, LU5 6NX
HeadteacherHelen Harris
Local AuthorityCentral Bedfordshire
Number of Pupils1,198
Free School Meals (FSM)12.8%
School Capacity1,198 / 1,360 (88% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

3 Oct 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 14 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Sixth Form CentreMusic RoomsDining HallArt StudiosPlaying FieldsSports HallTheatreTennis CourtsLibrary

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

RowingNetballBadmintonSwimmingCricketMartial ArtsCross CountryTennisDance

Clubs & Activities

CodingArt ClubChessModel United NationsDebateYoung EnterpriseOrchestra

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:15 – 15:05

Source: harlington.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Harlington Upper School

Harlington Upper School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.