Schools across Central Bedfordshire
Local authority · 136 schools across 28 towns
136
95 primary · 28 secondary
49,870
91% capacity used
45
3 outstanding · 42 good
54,939
5,069 spare places
Ofsted Ratings
Area Performance (2025)
KS2 Reading
67.9%
KS2 Maths
62.4%
School Capacity
Primary Schools
1,719 spare places
Secondary Schools
3,470 spare places
Pupil Absence
Avg Overall Absence
5.9%
2024/25
Avg Persistent Absence
14.3%
2024/25
Schools Reporting
122
2024/25
Absence trend across Central Bedfordshire schools
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.
EHCP Timeliness
Issued Within 20 Weeks
43%
Plans Issued
649
Assessment Requests
944
Tribunal Cases
29
EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)
Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.
Admission Appeals
2025 admission appeals by school phase
Primary
92
Lodged
(2.0%)
62
Heard
20
Successful
(32%)
Primary (infant classes)
67
Lodged
(1.7%)
39
Heard
14
Successful
(36%)
Secondary
158
Lodged
(2.6%)
121
Heard
37
Successful
(31%)
Total
250
Lodged
(2.4%)
183
Heard
57
Successful
(31%)
Total appeals lodged per year
Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.
Towns in Central Bedfordshire
Dunstable
32 schools
Leighton Buzzard
22 schools
Bedford
22 schools
Biggleswade
12 schools
Luton
7 schools
Sandy
7 schools
Shefford
5 schools
Henlow
4 schools
Milton Keynes
3 schools
Hitchin
3 schools
Arlesey
2 schools
Houghton Regis East
1 schools
Clophill
1 schools
Fairfield Park
1 schools
Near Shefford
1 schools
Houghton Regis
1 schools
Nr Sandy
1 schools
Sutton
1 schools
Cranfield
1 schools
Ampthill
1 schools