Set on the eastern edge of Luton, Putteridge High School is a mixed secondary serving students aged 11 to 16. The school has undergone a significant physical transformation recently, moving into a brand-new, multi-million pound building that has redefined the daily experience for its 1,200 students. Academic performance is solid, with 2024 results placing the school in the middle 35% of secondaries in England (FindMySchool ranking). While it does not have its own sixth form, its focus on the five-year journey from Year 7 to GCSE is sharp and effective.
The atmosphere at Putteridge is one of modern order. The new school building, completed under the Department for Education school rebuilding programme, has replaced the dated 1950s structures with a state-of-the-art facility designed for 21st-century learning. The layout is logical and spacious, reducing the friction of lesson transitions and creating a calm, professional environment that many students describe as feeling more like a college than a traditional school.
Mr David Graham has been the Headteacher since September 2015, bringing an inclusive and ambitious philosophy to the school. For over a decade, he has overseen significant school improvement, including the successful transition to the new school building. His leadership is characterised by a drive for "First Class" standards, a phrase that permeates school life from uniform expectations to the quality of classwork. The school is a member of the Chiltern Learning Trust, a high-performing multi-academy trust that provides a strong network of support and professional development for staff. This connection ensures the school remains at the forefront of pedagogical research and local educational strategy.
The school's ethos, Sincere Ante Omnia (Sincerity Before All), is reflected in the direct and transparent way staff interact with students. There is a palpable sense of community pride, particularly following the move to the new site, which has been viewed as a significant investment in the local Putteridge and Stopsley families.
In 2024, Putteridge High School achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 48.3, which sits comfortably above the England average of 45.9. These results reflect a school that is successfully helping students achieve grades that exceed the national baseline across eight key subjects.
The school ranks 1,486th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 8th among secondaries in Luton. This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), representing a solid and reliable choice for local families.
A key indicator of the school's effectiveness is its Progress 8 score of +0.23. This positive figure indicates that students at Putteridge make more progress from their primary school starting points than the average student nationally. In an area with diverse starting points, this "value-added" metric is a testament to the quality of the teaching and the interventions put in place to support student growth.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at Putteridge is structured and ambitious. The latest Ofsted inspection in November 2024 confirmed that pupils flourish at this school and experience a high quality of education. The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced in the lower years, allowing students to explore a wide range of subjects before narrowing their focus for GCSEs. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and utilise the new building's technology, including interactive screens and specialised laboratories, to make lessons engaging.
The school places a significant emphasis on the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. In 2024, 22% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the EBacc, supported by an average point score of 4.29. This focus ensures that a large portion of the cohort is prepared for the most competitive A-level and university pathways.
For students requiring additional support, the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team is well-integrated into the mainstream curriculum. Interventions are targeted and data-driven, ensuring that the positive progress seen across the whole school is shared by those with specific learning requirements.
As a 11-16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. Putteridge High School has strong links with local post-16 providers, including Luton Sixth Form College and The Chalk Hills Academy. The careers programme is robust, beginning in Year 7 and intensifying in Year 10 and 11 with one-to-one guidance interviews and careers fairs.
The school reports that the vast majority of students progress to either A-level programmes or high-quality vocational courses and apprenticeships. The positive Progress 8 scores mean that Putteridge students are often well-positioned to secure their first-choice college placements.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Securing a place at Putteridge High School has become increasingly competitive. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed, with 520 applications for 235 places. This results in a subscription proportion of 2.21, meaning there are more than two applications for every available seat.
Admissions are coordinated by Luton Borough Council. The national closing date for secondary school applications for September 2026 entry is 31 October 2025. After children with an EHCP naming the school and looked-after children, priority is given to siblings and then to those living within the designated catchment area. Because of the school's popularity and the density of the local population, families living outside the immediate Putteridge area may find entry difficult.
Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends, although the school does not publish a specific "last distance" figure, as the catchment remains the primary driver.
Applications
520
Total received
Places Offered
235
Subscription Rate
2.2x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is organized through a traditional year group system, with each student belonging to a tutor group that meets daily. This provides a consistent point of contact for parents and ensures that every student is known well by at least one member of staff.
The school utilizes a "House" system (Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow) to encourage healthy competition and a sense of belonging beyond the year group. Wellbeing is supported through the PSHCRE curriculum, which addresses contemporary issues such as mental health, online safety, and healthy relationships. The new building includes dedicated spaces for student support, including quiet areas for reflection and offices for the pastoral leads.
Extracurricular life at Putteridge has been revitalized by the new facilities. The sports provision is a particular highlight, with a large four-court sports hall and all-weather pitches that host a variety of clubs from football and netball to trampolining.
The creative arts are equally well-served. The school features specialized drama studios and music practice rooms. Annual highlights include a Year 7 camping trip and a Year 10 trip to Paris, alongside an extraordinary choice of clubs ranging from chess and music to debating.
STEM subjects benefit immensely from the new building's design. The science wing features eleven purpose-built laboratories that allow for frequent practical work, a luxury not always available in older schools. The Design and Technology suites are equipped with modern machinery, including 3D printers and laser cutters, fostering a culture of innovation. Coding and robotics clubs are popular after-school options, drawing on the school's upgraded IT infrastructure.
Putteridge High School is a state-funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees for students to attend. As part of the state sector, the school receives its funding directly from the government. Families are responsible for associated costs such as school uniform, some educational trips, and elective music lessons. Support is often available for families eligible for Pupil Premium to help cover these additional costs; parents should contact the school's finance office for more information.
The school day typically runs from 8:40 am to 3:10 pm. The school is well-served by local bus routes, though many students walk from the surrounding residential streets. The new site includes improved cycle storage to encourage active travel. Travel to and from the school is managed carefully by staff to ensure student safety in the busy residential area.
Putteridge High School is a school on an upward trajectory, buoyed by exceptional new facilities and a stable, ambitious leadership team. The latest inspection suggests the school may have improved significantly across all areas, with exemplary behaviour and high expectations. It is best suited to local Luton families who want a modern, high-standard secondary education within a supportive multi-academy trust framework. The primary challenge remains the high demand for places.
Yes, Putteridge High School is officially rated Good by Ofsted. In the most recent inspection in November 2024, inspectors found that pupils flourish and experience a high quality of education, with exemplary behaviour and high expectations from leaders.
No, the school caters to students aged 11 to 16. Students typically move on to Luton Sixth Form College or other local providers for their A-levels or vocational qualifications.
Entry is very competitive. In the last cycle, there were 520 applications for only 235 places, making it significantly oversubscribed. Priority is largely determined by catchment area and siblings.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. It is funded by the government as part of the Chiltern Learning Trust.
In 2024, the school performed well, ranking 8th in Luton. The Progress 8 score of +0.23 is a key highlight, indicating that the teaching helps students achieve higher grades than they were predicted based on their primary school results.
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