Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
Academy converter · sixth form · 1,655 pupils
94% stayed in education · Attainment 8 50.0
Further education
Luton Sixth Form College
- Pupils on roll
- —
- Free school meals
- —
- Year 11 cohort 2025
- —
- Ofsted
- Not covered by Ofsted school inspections
What the data says
Luton Sixth Form College is a 16–19 provider, so there is no Year 11 cohort: this page covers where its students went after 16–18 study and what they achieved.
Among the 1,479 students who left the sixth form in 2023, 51% went to university (Luton 52%, England 37%), and 10% of level 3 students progressed to one of the most selective universities, against 19% nationally.
A level grades average C, below the England average of B-; 8% of students achieved AAB or better including two facilitating subjects (England 18%). The largest A level subjects are Mathematics, Psychology and Business Studies.
Where pupils went after Year 11
Destinations of the 2023 Year 11 leavers, measured the following year: the share in a sustained place for at least two terms. Compared with all state-funded schools in Luton and England.
The Department for Education has not published destination figures for this school (new school, small cohort or not a state-funded school).
Where students went after sixth form
Destinations of students who finished 16–18 study in 2023, measured the following year.
University (higher education)Further educationOther educationApprenticeshipEmploymentNo sustained destination
| Measure | Luton Sixth Form College | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students in the cohort | 1,479 | 1,761 | 541,441 |
| Any sustained destination | 79% | 80% | 79% |
| University (higher education) | 51% | 52% | 37% |
| — most selective universities (top third), of level 3 students | 10% | 11% | 19% |
| Further education | 1% | 1% | 5% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 6% | 7% |
| Employment | 19% | 19% | 28% |
| No sustained destination | 15% | 14% | 16% |
GCSE results 2025
No published Key Stage 4 results for this school.
A levels and other level 3 courses
| Measure | Luton Sixth Form College | Luton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students at the end of 16–18 study | 3,335 | — | — |
| — of whom A level students | 951 | 1,142 | 261,341 |
| Average A level grade | C | C | B- |
| Average points per A level entry | 29.90 | 30.41 | 35.00 |
| Average grade, best 3 A levels | C | C | B- |
| AAB or better with two facilitating subjects | 8% | 9% | 18% |
| Average grade, applied general courses | — | — | — |
| Average grade, T levels | — | — | — |
A level subjects
Entries as a share of A level students, compared with the share across England.
| Subject | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 277 | 29% | 31% |
| Psychology | 215 | 23% | 23% |
| Business Studies | 162 | 17% | 13% |
| Chemistry | 159 | 17% | 17% |
| Biology | 154 | 16% | 20% |
| Computer Science | 146 | 15% | 5% |
| Economics | 133 | 14% | 13% |
| English Language | 124 | 13% | 4% |
| Sociology | 120 | 13% | 13% |
| Law | 119 | 13% | 4% |
| Physics | 73 | 8% | 12% |
| History | 56 | 6% | 13% |
| Media Studies | 48 | 5% | 4% |
| Religious Studies | 47 | 5% | 4% |
| Geography | 40 | 4% | 10% |
| Politics | 40 | 4% | 6% |
| English Literature | 37 | 4% | 11% |
| Further Mathematics | 32 | 3% | 5% |
| English Language and Literature | 31 | 3% | 2% |
| Art and Design | 27 | 3% | 1% |
| Philosophy | 20 | 2% | 1% |
| Drama | 15 | 2% | 2% |
| French | 14 | 1% | 1% |
| Spanish | 13 | 1% | 2% |
| Film Studies | 13 | 1% | 2% |
| Photography | 11 | 1% | 3% |
| Music Technology | 9 | 1% | 0% |
| Italian | 8 | 1% | 0% |
| Physical Education | 6 | 1% | 3% |
| Polish | — | — | 0% |
| Music | — | — | 0% |
| Modern Greek | — | — | 0% |
| Japanese | — | — | 0% |
| Urdu | — | — | 0% |
| Arabic | — | — | 0% |
Applied, technical and other level 3 courses
| Subject | Qualification | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Studies | Core Maths Qualifications at Level 3 | 246 | 26% | — |
| Social Science | VRQ Level 3 | 158 | 17% | — |
| Study Skills | Extended Project (Diploma) | 125 | 13% | — |
| Law / Legal Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 125 | 13% | — |
| Computing and IT Advanced Technician | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | 102 | 11% | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 99 | 10% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 93 | 10% | — |
| Health Studies | OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma at Level 3 | 80 | 8% | — |
| Computer Architecture / Systems | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 80 | 8% | — |
| Finance / Accounting (General) | VRQ Level 3 | 78 | 8% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | 76 | 8% | — |
| Small Business Management | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 55 | 6% | — |
| Health Studies | OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at Level 3 | 53 | 6% | — |
| Biology | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 53 | 6% | — |
| Law / Legal Studies | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Band D) | 44 | 5% | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 19 | 2% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | 13 | 1% | — |
| Film / Video / Television Production | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 12 | 1% | — |
| Health Studies | OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate at Level 3 | 12 | 1% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 10 | 1% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Band D) | — | — | — |
| Art and Design | GCE AS level (All) | — | — | — |
| Psychology | GCE AS level (All) | — | — | — |
| Art and Design | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Psychology | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Computer Architecture / Systems | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | — | — | — |
| Small Business Management | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Band D) | — | — | — |
Other secondary schools in Luton
Challney High School for Boys
Academy converter · 1,197 pupils
94% stayed in education · Attainment 8 47.7
Challney High School for Girls
Academy converter · 1,062 pupils
91% stayed in education · Attainment 8 50.1
Chiltern Academy
Free schools · 1,203 pupils
91% stayed in education · Attainment 8 49.5
Denbigh High School
Academy converter · 1,130 pupils
92% stayed in education · Attainment 8 52.6
Icknield High School
Academy converter · 1,452 pupils
92% stayed in education · Attainment 8 49.4
Sources: Department for Education school and college performance tables 2024/2025 (Key Stage 4 and 16–18 results, subject entries, destination measures for 2023 leavers); Get Information About Schools register as at 19 September 2026; Ofsted management information as at 31 August 2026. Small numbers are suppressed by DfE and shown as “—”. How to read these figures.