The hardest schools to get into in Luton
Secondary: 426 families put Denbigh High School first in 2026 and 204 of them (48%) were offered a place.
Reception: 106 families put Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre first in 2026 and 61 of them (58%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Luton with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denbigh High School · Luton | 426 | 204 (48%) | 208 |
| 2 | Chiltern Academy · Luton | 272 | 204 (75%) | 228 |
| 3 | Putteridge High School · Luton | 274 | 221 (81%) | 234 |
| 4 | Challney High School for Girls · Luton | 233 | 198 (85%) | 219 |
| 5 | The Chalk Hills Academy · Luton | 308 | 277 (90%) | 290 |
| 6 | Challney High School for Boys · Luton | 218 | 200 (92%) | 230 |
| 7 | Icknield High School · Luton | 238 | 222 (93%) | 292 |
| 8 | Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College · Luton · faith | 250 | 235 (94%) | 261 |
| 9 | Lealands High School · Luton | 194 | 187 (96%) | 204 |
| 10 | The Stockwood Park Academy · Luton | 184 | 184 (100%) | 279 |
| 11 | Queen Elizabeth School · Luton | 136 | 136 (100%) | 187 |
| 12 | Stopsley High School · Luton | 104 | 104 (100%) | 200 |
| 13 | Lea Manor High School · Luton | 101 | 101 (100%) | 154 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Luton
What is the hardest school to get into in Luton?
For secondary places, 426 families put Denbigh High School first in 2026 and 204 of them (48%) were offered a place. For Reception, 106 families put Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre first and 61 of them (58%) were offered a place.
Denbigh High SchoolSomeries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre
How many families in Luton get their first-choice school?
82.8% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 92.6% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Luton published it in its admissions booklet.