Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School, Dunstable

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders' deep knowledge of pupils informs the school's personal development offer."

Achievement - Expected standard. "In reading, writing and mathematics tests at the end of Year 6, pupils' outcomes are typically close to national averages."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations of attendance and behaviour."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders are reflective."

Early years - Expected standard. "The early years classroom is calm and well-organised."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure any needs pupils have are identified quickly when they join the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders accurately evaluate the school's strengths and areas for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the early years environment is designed to maximise children's learning opportunities in all 7 areas of learning"; "Leaders should ensure that the governing body continues to strengthen its work to provide robust support and challenge that is sharply focused on the school's improvement priorities".

From the headteacher's welcome: "A very warm welcome to Ashton St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School. Since joining as Headteacher in 2019, my love and pride for our school have grown year on year."

The school runs after-school care until 6:00pm, from £4.00 per session.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 9.45am and an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 9.45am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 66% in Central Bedfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School are Dunstable Icknield Lower School (0.2 miles); Beecroft Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 68% reading, 66% maths); Lancot School (0.5 miles, Good, 71% reading, 67% maths); and Watling Lower School (0.6 miles).

Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

15.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 22 pupils (10.7%) received SEN support and 9 (4.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Leagrave Rail Station, about 3.4 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Nursery Close (adjacent), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 244 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Central Bedfordshire (47), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School issued 7 suspensions, 3.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School are Queensbury Academy (0.5 miles), Priory Academy (0.6 miles), All Saints Academy Dunstable (0.8 miles) and Manshead Church of England Academy (1.6 miles).