Welcome to Hillborough Junior School
Hillborough Junior School has a prestigious history as both a ‘Beacon’ school, a ‘Teaching School’, and home of the Shire Foundation Initial Teacher Training Centre. Today, we continue this legacy of excellence as home to a Specialist Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision. As a key part of the Local Authority’s SEMH Service, this provision offers vital expertise and outreach to support pupils in settings across Luton. By sharing best practices and collaborating with partners, Hillborough remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
At our core, we are a ‘Values’ school built on six key tenets: Determination, Teamwork, Self-belief, Honesty, Passion, and Respect. We empower our children to become creative and critical thinkers by integrating these values with a holistic model based on the ‘Five Habits of Mind’—Persistence, Collaboration, Discipline, Imagination, and Inquisitiveness. To bridge our values with academic success, we place a rigorous focus on the eight essential universal skills—such as leadership, listening, and problem-solving—ensuring our pupils have the tangible tools to navigate their future with confidence.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do; we are committed to providing a meaningful education that supports and challenges all pupils, irrespective of ethnicity, background, or ability. By embracing the diversity of our multi-ethnic community, we ensure that every child feels a deep sense of belonging and is celebrated for their unique heritage and individual potential. Furthermore, our school is recognised as an Attachment and Trauma Aware setting, ensuring our staff are equipped to build the secure, nurturing relationships that allow every child to feel safe and ready to learn.
We advocate that every child has unlimited potential. By nurturing their development in an environment of respect, love, and celebration, we cultivate happy, compassionate, and high-achieving pupils. Our shared ethos focuses on positive behaviour reinforcement, ensuring all children feel safe and valued within our school community.
Our broad curriculum generates a deep sense of pride through excellence in sport, the performing arts, and a wealth of enrichment activities. Our extensive range of after-school clubs reinforces this inclusive approach, ensuring every learner can develop skills in areas they truly enjoy.
The lasting impact of our approach is reflected in the positive perceptions of our pupils, parents, and the wider community. Our children report high levels of enjoyment and demonstrate confidence in their relationships with staff and peers. Parents find our environment welcoming and appreciate the unwavering diligence of our staff and governors.
Our Recent Accolades:
Our commitment to a well-rounded education is evidenced by our numerous recent awards, including:
- School Games Platinum Award (2025) – Recognizing our sustained excellence in physical activity and competitive sport.
- Music Mark (2025) – Celebrating our high-quality music provision.
- Primary Science Quality Mark (2025) – A national accreditation for excellence in science leadership and teaching.
- Career Mark Primary (2025) – Recognizing our commitment to preparing students for their future through high-quality career education.
- Skills Builder Flagship Status (2025) – Highlighting our focus on essential life skills.
- Artsmark Platinum Award (2023)
Hillborough continues to be recognized for its vision, previously featuring in The Times top 100 schools in England and Wales and maintaining an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ status. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our entire school community as we aspire to excellence every day.
