Oakley Primary Academy, Bedford

In its own words: "Oakley Primary Academy is a vibrant village school in the heart of Oakley and is a proud member of Meridian Trust. This is a multi-academy trust made up of excellent member academies, which has a commitment to excellence in education, putting pupil progress at heart of all it does."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It brings me great pleasure to welcome you to Oakley Primary Academy, a proud member of the Meridian Trust. Having joined the school in September 2023, I am honoured to be here to seek to make Oakley the first-choice school for parents and carers in the heart of the community of our wonderful village and local area."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include netball, gymnastics, multi-sports, karate, dance and Lego.

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Oakley Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 70% in Bedford and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 71% 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, 19 families put Oakley Primary Academy as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Oakley Primary Academy are Ursula Taylor Church of England School (1.4 miles, Good, 63% reading, 59% maths); Bromham CofE Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 91% reading, 87% maths); Milton Ernest CofE Primary School (1.7 miles, Good, 64% reading, 82% maths); and Great Ouse Primary Academy (2.2 miles, Good, 82% reading, 76% maths).

Oakley Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Oakley Primary Academy is one of 36 schools run by Meridian Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

78 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Oakley Primary Academy (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 99% say their child is happy there and 85% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (99%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (72%).

11.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 10.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (75%), Mixed (12%) and Asian (6%).

In 2026, 22 pupils (10.5%) received SEN support and 6 (2.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Bedford Rail Station, about 2.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lincroft Academy (in), 90 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Oakley Primary Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bedford (136).

In 2024/25, Oakley Primary Academy issued 10 suspensions, 4.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.