Shortstown 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 · 7 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Shortstown is a truly inclusive school where all children feel welcome and supported. Teachers deliver a well-planned curriculum that helps pupils access learning successfully, and there is a strong focus on building positive behaviour and attendance from the earliest years. The school offers a wonderful range of enrichment activities and trips that broaden pupils' experiences and help them discover new interests and talents.
Key Strengths
- Above-average attendance rates with strong support systems for all pupils, including those with special needs
- Positive behaviour and respectful relationships throughout the school, with bullying and discrimination being rare
- Well-sequenced curriculum with clear learning goals that prioritises reading, writing and mathematics
- Effective early identification of pupils' barriers to learning with quick, targeted support in place
- Rich programme of trips, visitors, clubs and enrichment activities that expand pupils' experiences
Areas for Improvement
- Phonics outcomes remain below national average, though improving over recent years
- Staff do not consistently spot pupils' errors and misconceptions, which slows some pupils' progress
- Early years staff occasionally miss opportunities to check children's learning in play-based provision
- Recent staff changes have somewhat reduced leaders' capacity to check quality of provision
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Singing, touch-typing, baking, theatre trips, safari park visits, lunchtime clubs, after-school clubs
Shortstown Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive school where pupils achieve well overall with above-average attendance. Leaders have strengthened the curriculum and created a positive culture where safeguarding is a priority and all pupils are supported to succeed.
At a Glance
26.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 67% to 75%. Maths has improved from 62% to 77%. Writing has improved from 60% to 70%.
Class Sizes
29.2
Avg class size
29.7
Infant (KS1)
28.9
KS2
13
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
114%
Over capacity
479 pupils
420 capacity
59 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
4.19296%
Overall absence
7.31707%
Persistent absence
369
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
Shortstown Primary School
Nearby Schools
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