Gilbert Inglefield Academy, Leighton Buzzard
Data last updated 16 Mar 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school has recently begun to improve with new leadership and trust support. Pupils enjoy representing the school in teams and are enthusiastic about community opportunities. The phonics programme successfully supports early readers, including those learning English as an additional language.
Key Strengths
- The phonics programme effectively identifies and supports pupils with reading difficulties, including those learning English as an additional language
- The 'HIVE' provides high-quality care and support to pupils with complex emotional needs
- Pupils are enthusiastic about opportunities to represent the school and forge new friendships with pupils from other schools
Areas for Improvement
- Safeguarding culture is not open and positive - staff checks were not properly completed and concerns are misreported or not prioritized
- Teaching is weak and does not meet the needs of pupils, especially disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND
- Curriculum lacks ambition and links between key knowledge are not made, leaving pupils unprepared for upper school
- Support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils is ineffective and they fall further behind their peers
- Governors have failed in their responsibilities and lack oversight and challenge of leaders
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are not met - leaders have not embedded protective practices, staff checks were not routinely secured before employment, and the processes to manage allegations against staff are not effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Work-related learning for Year 8 pupils, team representation opportunities, community activities through supporting trust
Gilbert Inglefield Academy is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education and has critical safeguarding failures that put pupils at significant risk of harm. The school requires special measures due to weak leadership, governance, and teaching across all areas.
At a Glance
21.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 60% to 49%. Maths has declined from 49% to 31%. Writing has improved from 20% to 37%.
Class Sizes
28.0
Avg class size
23
Total classes
8 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
89%
Available places
643 pupils
720 capacity
77 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Leighton Buzzard
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Leighton Buzzard
Admissions Demand - Central Bedfordshire
Places available
1,796
Applications
1,679
Got 1st preference
94.6%
Got preferred school
98.7%
Secondary admissions across Central Bedfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(11)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.86758%
Overall absence
22.38586%
Persistent absence
679
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Gilbert Inglefield Academy
The Rushmere Park Academy
Beaudesert Lower School
Clipstone Brook Lower School
Dovery Academy
Heathwood Lower School
Leedon Lower School
The Mary Bassett Lower School
Pulford CofE VA Lower School
Linslade Lower School
St Leonards CE Academy
Showing 10 of 11 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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