Cauldwell School, Bedford

In its own words: "We follow the National Curriculum here at Cauldwell. Full details are available on the CURRICULUM page. We have an Award assembly every Friday to celebrate those children who have shown this terms value."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Cauldwell we place great importance on the partnership of home and school in the education of our young children. We believe that by working together we can bring the best out in our children. For this reason we encourage parents to join in the many activities and events which are part of life here at Cauldwell."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include swimming, Spanish and homework club.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at Cauldwell School reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 70% in Bedford and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 72% in reading and 72% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 68 families put Cauldwell School as their first choice and 135 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 9 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Cauldwell School are Shackleton Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 63% reading, 66% maths); Camestone School (0.7 miles, Good, 67% reading, 52% maths); Priory Primary School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 58% reading, 67% maths); and Queen's Park Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 84% reading, 79% maths).

Cauldwell School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Cauldwell School is one of 6 schools run by Heart Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 62% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cauldwell School (as of April 2026): 90% would recommend the school, 90% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

71.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (43%), Black (14%) and Mixed (11%).

The nearest railway station is Bedford St Johns Rail Station, about 590 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bunyan Road (opposite), 210 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 819 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Bedford (136), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Cauldwell School issued 3 suspensions, 0.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cauldwell School are Bedford Free School (0.5 miles), Daubeney Academy (1 mile), Bedford Academy (1 mile) and Biddenham International School and Sports College (1.2 miles).