St Vincent's Catholic Primary School, Dunstable

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades St Vincent's Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 5 strong standard and 2 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils' attendance overall and for groups such as disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities has risen in recent years."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have strengthened the early years curriculum in recent times."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders are rigorous in their initial and ongoing assessments of pupils' needs."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, including those from the trust, have a precise and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and next steps."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The impact of the school's programme for pupils' personal development and wellbeing is visible in pupils throughout the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well overall."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders maintain rigorous oversight of the quality of curriculum and teaching."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure they continue to review and refine the curriculum in those areas where it is less well embedded, so that the activities pupils carry out are well matched to their needs and enable them to progress"; "Leaders should ensure they continue to support staff to address gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge and skills so that these close rapidly and achievement overall continues to rise".

In its own words: "In April 2007 the School Organisation Committee agreed a proposal to extend the age range of the school to become a full Primary, educating children up to the age of 11. There is a designated 23 place nursery unit, running morning sessions from 08.45 - 11.45 a.m."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At St. Vincent's, Christ is at the centre of everything we do. We aim to achieve this by following our vision, ' G rowing in faith: loving and learning together with Jesus '. The children, parents, staff and governors of St. Vincent's are very proud of our school. St. Vincent's is a warm, welcoming community where everyone genuinely does matter."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at St Vincent's Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 66% in Central Bedfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 73% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put St Vincent's Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 9 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Vincent's Catholic Primary School are Lime Tree Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 77% reading, 60% maths); Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 61% reading, 57% maths); Tithe Farm Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 58% reading, 54% maths); and Thornhill Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 78% reading, 85% maths).

St Vincent's Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

St Vincent's Catholic Primary School is one of 18 schools run by St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 68% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

12.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 43.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (25%), Black (22%) and Asian (10%).

In 2026, 20 pupils (9.4%) received SEN support and 10 (4.7%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

St Vincent's Catholic Primary School had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Leagrave Rail Station, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Vincents School (outside), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Vincent's Catholic Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 210 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Central Bedfordshire (47), as is usual near a town centre.

St Vincent's Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St Vincent's Catholic Primary School are Houstone School (0.6 miles), All Saints Academy Dunstable (1.1 miles) and The Chalk Hills Academy (1.2 miles).