St Mary's VA CofE Lower School, Clophill
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
St Mary's creates a warm, caring environment where children love coming to school and feel genuinely safe and supported. The school excels at teaching young children strong foundations in reading and phonics while developing kind, well-behaved pupils who respect one another. Every child matters here - the school works hard to include all learners and offers excellent opportunities for enrichment, from faith tours to Second World War experiences, preparing pupils brilliantly for their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour and attendance, well above national averages, supported by clear routines and personalised family support
- Strong early years provision that builds firm foundations and prepares children exceptionally well for Year 1
- Inclusive approach to learning with effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils
- Impressive range of extra-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities tailored to pupil interests
- Leaders and governors maintain rigorous oversight and drive continuous improvement across the school
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils have gaps in spelling, punctuation and grammar, being addressed through a new English curriculum
- Teachers could use questioning more effectively to check understanding and challenge more-able pupils
- Year 4 multiplication tables check results were historically below national average, though recent improvements have raised this to above average
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open, positive culture where concerns are actively identified and acted upon, helping pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Faith tours visiting different places of worship, Second World War themed trips, extra-curricular clubs (varied based on pupil interests and surveys)
St Mary's VA CofE Lower School is a caring community where pupils thrive academically and personally, with strong attendance, excellent behaviour, and a commitment to inclusive practice that supports all learners.
At a Glance
11.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
21.2
Avg class size
21.3
Infant (KS1)
21.0
KS2
5
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
89%
Available places
134 pupils
150 capacity
16 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Clophill
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Clophill
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(10)
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
4.00826%
Overall absence
4.81928%
Persistent absence
83
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
St Mary's VA CofE Lower School
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