Kensworth Church of England Academy, Dunstable

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Kensworth Church of England Academy on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have secure approaches to identifying and responding quickly when pupils' attendance falls."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders thoughtfully designed the curriculum to ensure it meets the needs of all pupils."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders quickly identify pupils' needs and put appropriate support in place promptly."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors and trustees know and understand the school's changing context well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of personal development across the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "The small size of the school means that published data can be influenced by the size and composition of each year group."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to ensure that all foundational skills, particularly in writing, are taught consistently well throughout the school. Any gaps in pupils' knowledge should be addressed swiftly"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers check pupils fully understand the key knowledge in a few subjects before moving learning on"; "Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years actively seek out those children who find it harder to engage with others to better support them develop their social interactions and communication".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Kensworth CE Academy is a small school with a big heart. Located in the village of Kensworth, a stones throw away from Dunstable Downs, we welcome children from three to eleven years old. We aim to ensure every child in our care feels happy, safe and secure so they can thrive in the excellent learning experiences we provide."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Kensworth Church of England Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 57% 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 46% in reading and 38% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Kensworth Church of England Academy as their first choice and 17 named it as one of their preferences, for 8 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Kensworth Church of England Academy are Markyate Village School and Nursery (1.4 miles, Good, 86% reading, 82% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School (1.7 miles, Good, 71% reading, 71% maths); Studham Village CofE Academy (1.8 miles); and Ardley Hill Academy (2.1 miles, Good, 71% reading, 69% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Kensworth Church of England Academy.

Kensworth Church of England Academy is one of 15 schools run by Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

6.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (71%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 11 pupils (12.2%) received SEN support and 10 (11.1%) 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 autism.

Kensworth Church of England Academy had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Kensworth Church of England Academy.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kensworth Primary School (adjacent), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Central Bedfordshire (47).

In 2024/25, Kensworth Church of England Academy issued 4 suspensions, 4.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.