Manshead Church of England Academy, Luton
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
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Manshead provides a nurturing environment grounded in Christian values where pupils develop strong personal and social skills. The school excels at supporting pupil wellbeing through mentoring, pastoral care and a comprehensive personal development programme that celebrates diversity and prepares students well for their future. Sixth form students benefit from high-quality careers guidance and leadership opportunities that prepare them effectively for university, apprenticeships and employment.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding culture with all legal requirements met and pupils feeling safe
- Excellent personal development programme centred on Christian values, with pupils actively contributing to the community
- Positive behaviour and attitudes in school, with a calm and orderly environment
- Well-structured sixth form provision with strong careers guidance and preparation for next steps
- Ambitious and broad curriculum with good subject knowledge from teachers
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent pupil achievement, particularly in English and mathematics where progress remains below national averages
- Low overall attendance rates and persistent absence, especially among disadvantaged pupils
- Teaching quality and assessment are inconsistent, particularly in key stage 3
- Support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs is variable and lacks precision
- New systems and changes need more time to become fully embedded and show sustained impact
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Student council, culture day, enrichment activities, arts events, links with Royal Air Force, local professional football team and National Health Service, mentoring younger pupils, fundraising
Manshead Church of England Academy is a Church of England secondary school where safeguarding standards are met and pupils benefit from a strong Christian ethos that shapes their personal development and wellbeing. The school is working to improve consistency in teaching, achievement and attendance across all year groups.
At a Glance
21.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
21.8
Avg class size
48
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
84%
Available places
1,134 pupils
1,350 capacity
216 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Luton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Luton
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(8)
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
10.50093%
Overall absence
31.15234%
Persistent absence
1,024
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Manshead Church of England Academy
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
St. Augustine's Academy
Ardley Hill Academy
Watling Lower School
St Christophers Academy
Lark Rise Academy
Hadrian Academy
Dunstable Icknield Lower School
The Vale Academy
Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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