Shackleton Primary School, Bedford
Data last updated 11 Sept 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
Shackleton provides a warm, welcoming environment where all pupils feel valued and supported. The school prioritises developing strong behaviour, character and wellbeing from the early years onwards, helping children build confidence and positive attitudes to learning. Leaders work closely with families and external agencies to remove barriers to learning, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding culture with open communication and effective support for pupil welfare
- Orderly behaviour and positive relationships across the school, with swift responses to bullying
- Well-organised curriculum with clear expectations, particularly in core subjects
- Effective early years provision that prepares children well for Year 1
- Leaders' focus on professional learning is improving teaching consistency
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils' achievement in reading, writing and mathematics does not yet meet national expectations
- Progress and attainment remain inconsistent across year groups
- For some pupils with increased needs, learning targets are not matched precisely enough to their individual requirements
- Local governors need to develop more strategic challenge and independent evaluation of school impact
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open and positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Educational visits, performances, outdoor learning activities, music, sports clubs
Shackleton Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive school where pupils feel safe and valued. Leaders have established a positive culture with a clear focus on improving teaching and learning in reading, writing and mathematics.
At a Glance
34.1%
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 67% to 63%. Maths has remained stable at around 66%. Writing has improved from 51% to 66%.
Class Sizes
23.3
Avg class size
25.3
Infant (KS1)
27.4
KS2
20
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
487 pupils
480 capacity
7 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Bedford
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bedford
Admissions Demand - Bedford
Places available
2,690
Applications
2,103
Got 1st preference
93.6%
Got preferred school
99.3%
Primary admissions across Bedford (2025/26)
Inspection History(4)
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
5.93183%
Overall absence
18.30664%
Persistent absence
437
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
Shackleton Primary School
Bedford Academy
Bedford Girls' School
Bedford Free School
St John's School
Bedford School
Daubeney Academy
Grange Academy
KWS School
Castle Newnham School
Goldington Academy
Showing 10 of 11 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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