Classpot

Houstone School

Central Bedfordshire, LU5 5PXSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Good
May 2025
Progress 8
-0.74
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
1.5×
Oversubscribed
12 1st-choice / 8 places
Ranking
#2,884
of 3,141 nationally

About Houstone School

Houstone School, a secondary in Central Bedfordshire for pupils aged 11 to 16, was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2025, with all four graded categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — each receiving a Good. However, the school's academic outcomes tell a more challenging story. Its Progress 8 score, which measures how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school and their GCSEs compared with the national average, stands at -0.74. This places it well below the local authority average of -0.46 and ranks it 13th out of 16 schools in Central Bedfordshire, putting it in the bottom 50 nationally. The Attainment 8 score, which reflects average GCSE performance across eight subjects, is 32.7, and just 44.2% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressParkside Drive, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, LU5 5PX
HeadteacherElizabeth English
Local AuthorityCentral Bedfordshire
Number of Pupils657
Free School Meals (FSM)27.6%
School Capacity657 / 900 (73% full)

The full report on this school

What 154 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

20 May 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 26 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
Sixth Form CentreTheatreLibraryTennis CourtsSports HallMusic Rooms

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

19

Sports

HockeyTennisMartial ArtsGymnasticsRowingDanceBadmintonCricketAthletics

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubOrchestraEco ClubCodingChoirModel United NationsNewspaperDuke of EdinburghDramaChess

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionPhysicalOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 16:00

Breakfast club

08:00-08:24

After-school care

16:00-17:30

Source: houstoneschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Houstone School

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