Icknield High School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Riddy Lane, Luton, LU3 2AHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Icknield High School is a secondary school in Luton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 77 schools in Luton. It ranks 4th of 14 secondary schools in Luton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 February 2024, report published 19 March 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 February 2024

Pupils are proud of their school. They value the opportunities the school offers to learn about themselves, their community and the wider world. Pupils have a positive approach to learning. They concentrate well in lessons. They are determined to live up to the school's high expectations. This is reflected in the high standard of their work and achievement in national assessments. The school prepares pupils well for their next steps in education, employment and training. Pupils enjoy school. They build strong relationships with each other and staff. Pupils follow the school's well-established routines. They appreciate the 'fives' they receive in recognition of their good conduct and achievements. Bullying at school is rare. When concerns arise, staff from the 'year rooms' ensure that issues are resolved promptly. The school has robust measures in place to ensure pupils are safe. Safeguarding has a high profile across the school. Pupils learn how to avoid the risks they face as young adults. They look out for each other and know how to find help from staff when needed. Staff are vigilant to signs of potential harm. They act swiftly when necessary. The school works well with external agencies to ensure vulnerable pupils receive the support they need.

What the school should improve

  • Staff do not always give pupils enough opportunity to discuss what they are learning. This leads to pupils in some lessons not being able to practise articulating their ideas, debating issues or sharing their reasoning about aspects of their studies. This can hinder their depth of understanding. Staff must give pupils meaningful opportunities to discuss what they are learning across the curriculum.
  • Some pupils in key stage 4 have variable access to the PSHE programme. As a result, these pupils are not taught elements of the PSHE programme in the detail needed. The school must ensure that all pupils receive the full PSHE programme in the depth and detail intended to be fully prepared for adult life.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

281 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score49.4

49.4, 3.3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths57.7%

57.7%, 12.3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths74%

74%, 9.2 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc37.4%

37.4%, 3.1 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.41

4.41, 0.32 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,452 pupils on roll, with places for 1,445

Eligible for free school meals27.9%

27.9%, 1.4 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language27.7%

27.7%, 6.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.4%

11.4%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.7%

2.7%, 3.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Icknield High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 50.0
Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 57.4
Stopsley High School1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 42.3
Denbigh High School1 mileOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 52.6
Lea Manor High School1 mileReport card: Needs attention to strong standardAttainment 8: 36.3

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ICKNIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Kamran Ahmed
Address
Riddy Lane, Luton, LU3 2AH
Local authority
Luton
URN
137679

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.