Leedon Lower School, Leighton Buzzard
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school provides excellent pastoral support with a nurturing approach and therapeutic programmes that help pupils manage their emotions and wellbeing. Leaders are working at pace to improve the school after a period of change, and have already achieved reductions in suspensions and improvements in attendance for vulnerable pupils. Pupils benefit from strong relationships with approachable leaders and feel cared for by the school.
Key Strengths
- Safeguarding is effective with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed
- Strong pastoral care with a nurturing approach and therapeutic programmes supporting pupil wellbeing
- Improvements in behaviour with reduced suspensions as pupils' emotional and mental health needs are being addressed
- Effective strategies for helping pupils with SEND feel more settled and reducing their anxiety
- Year 4 residential visit is a valued and memorable learning experience
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement is significantly below national averages - phonics results and multiplication table checks are well below expected levels
- Gaps in reading, writing and maths knowledge are not being closed quickly or with urgency
- Teaching quality is weak with low expectations and insufficient guidance for pupils to improve their work
- Early years curriculum lacks detail about what children should know before starting Reception
- SEND pupils have targets that are too broad or unmet, resulting in minimal progress over time
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, making pupils safer and helping them feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Football, cricket, lunchtime clubs for sensory needs, therapeutic programmes, Year 4 residential visit
Leedon Lower School requires significant improvement as it is performing significantly less well than expected. While safeguarding standards are met and there are emerging improvements in behaviour and attendance, the school faces urgent challenges in teaching quality, pupil achievement, and curriculum delivery.
At a Glance
23.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
26.7
Avg class size
25.7
Infant (KS1)
28.0
KS2
12
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
102%
Over capacity
368 pupils
360 capacity
8 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Leighton Buzzard
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Leighton Buzzard
Admissions Demand - Central Bedfordshire
Places available
4,163
Applications
3,574
Got 1st preference
90.0%
Got preferred school
97.0%
Primary admissions across Central Bedfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(110)
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
6.78211%
Overall absence
15.86716%
Persistent absence
271
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Leedon Lower School
Nearby Schools
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