Houstone School, Dunstable
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Houstone School has created a calm, purposeful place where pupils can focus on learning without disruption. The school excels at supporting pupils with additional needs through targeted help with reading and numeracy, while also offering an impressive range of clubs and activities. Pupils feel valued through leadership roles and appreciate the school's fair approach to behaviour management, with chances to 'get back on track'.
Key Strengths
- Ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum that helps pupils build knowledge effectively -
- Clear behaviour routines and systems create an uninterrupted learning environment where pupils can concentrate -
- Strong support for pupils with SEND through accurate assessment and targeted, intensive help -
- Extensive enrichment activities including the 'electives' programme offering boxing, cooking, chess, art and more -
- Effective longer school day and tutor programme providing homework help and personal development learning
Areas for Improvement
- Some staff do not quickly identify when pupils need extra help, guidance or support, which slows their learning progress -
- Communication with parents could be improved -
- Further development of leadership capacity and broadening expertise in SEND provision as the school grows
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with clear systems in place that prioritise pupil safety and wellbeing.
Extracurricular Activities
Boxing, cooking, chess, art, clubs, trips, electives programme, leadership roles, careers curriculum
Houstone School is a calm, safe secondary school that opened in September 2022 and has quickly established high standards of behaviour and achievement. The school provides an ambitious, well-designed curriculum with good teaching and strong support for pupils with additional needs.
At a Glance
28.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
154 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
28.5
Avg class size
22
Total classes
5 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
85%
Available places
765 pupils
900 capacity
135 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Dunstable
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Dunstable
Admissions Demand - Central Bedfordshire
Places available
1,796
Applications
1,679
Got 1st preference
94.6%
Got preferred school
98.7%
Secondary admissions across Central Bedfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.43149%
Overall absence
23%
Persistent absence
700
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Houstone School
Lime Tree Primary Academy
Thornhill Primary School
St Vincent's Catholic Primary School
Chalton Lower School
Southfield Primary Academy
Tithe Farm Primary School
Chantry Primary Academy
Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy
St Martin De Porres Catholic Primary School
Pirton Hill Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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