The Duke of Bedford Primary School, Peterborough
The Duke of Bedford Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Peterborough. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2019. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 7th-highest of the 78 schools in Peterborough with published results, and 2,629th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 103% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2019)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 75 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Peterborough (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
The Duke of Bedford Primary School in detail
The Duke of Bedford Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a welcoming village primary school in Thorney near Peterborough. Our vision to inspire a love of learning is at the heart of everything we do as a school. Our curriculum is both exciting and challenging, leading our children on their personal route to success."
The school runs after-school care.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at The Duke of Bedford Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Peterborough and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 81% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at The Duke of Bedford Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 30 families put The Duke of Bedford Primary School as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at The Duke of Bedford Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to The Duke of Bedford Primary School are Eye CofE Primary School (3.8 miles, Good, 68% reading, 81% maths); Coates Primary School (4.1 miles, Good, 60% reading, 73% maths); Alderman Jacobs School (4.2 miles, Good, 77% reading, 73% maths); and Park Lane Primary & Nursery School (4.7 miles, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths).
The Duke of Bedford Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.
Eye CofE Primary SchoolCoates Primary SchoolAlderman Jacobs SchoolPark Lane Primary & Nursery School
What parents say
50 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Duke of Bedford Primary School (as of September 2025): 94% would recommend the school, 94% say their child is happy there and 63% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (94%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (63%).
Staffing
The Duke of Bedford Primary School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of The Duke of Bedford Primary School.
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Duke of Bedford Sch (near), 30 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Peterborough (275).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, The Duke of Bedford Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Peterborough published that the last place for 2023 entry went to a family 0.486 miles away (straight line). The cut-off moves every year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from June 2019, 7 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Your child will thrive in a welcoming school where kindness and teamwork are genuinely valued. Teachers check understanding regularly and provide timely support so pupils stay on track with learning. The school offers excellent enrichment activities including music lessons and pupil-led clubs, giving all children - including disadvantaged pupils - chances to develop their talents and interests.
Key Strengths
- Pupils show excellent behaviour and demonstrate school values like teamwork and kindness on the playground and in lessons
- Strong curriculum design helps pupils build knowledge in a logical order, with clear guidance for teachers
- Excellent reading programme with nearly all pupils reading fluently by end of key stage 1
- Rich enrichment opportunities including music tuition, pupil-led clubs, and activities for disadvantaged pupils
- Effective support for pupils' emotional wellbeing and behaviour, helping them discuss feelings and find positive solutions
Areas for Improvement
- Guidance for staff supporting pupils with SEND needs to be more precise so that learning activities better address individual needs
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school has created a positive culture that prioritises pupils' interests.
Extracurricular Activities
Music tuition for all pupils, pupil-led clubs, reading challenges, 'read and rave' book recommendation sessions, before- and after-school care
The Duke of Bedford Primary School has maintained the standards from its previous good inspection. Pupils thrive in a positive ethos where they demonstrate strong values including teamwork and kindness, while learning the curriculum successfully and being well prepared for secondary education.
At a Glance
26.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
50 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 81% to 87% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 78% to 87% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 75% to 87% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.6
Avg class size
23.0
Infant (KS1)
32.3
KS2
8
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with The Duke of Bedford Primary School
Nurseries
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to The Duke of Bedford Primary School, with their latest published grades:
- Smiley Faces Day Nursery (Thorney) Limited - Day nursery, 0.5 milesOfsted report card, 27 August 2026: Strong standard in 3 areas, Expected standard in 3 areas; safeguarding standards met
Term dates
The Duke of Bedford Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Peterborough. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Duke of Bedford Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Duke of Bedford Primary School is in Peterborough; for families living there:
- Peterborough's school travel policy: Mainstream school transport assistance policy
- How to apply: Apply online for school transport for 4 to 16 year olds
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 2
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 2 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Peterborough is 16 (the median across 91 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at The Duke of Bedford Primary School
Will you get a place at The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
Peterborough published that the last place at The Duke of Bedford Primary School offered on distance for 2023 entry went to a family 0.49 miles away. For 2026 entry it had 30 first choices for 30 places. The report sets your home postcode against these figures.
£9.99 once (inc. VAT; £19.99 for up to three schools), or Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time. What's in the report
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
217 pupils
210 places
7 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Across Peterborough council
Places available
3,215
Applications
2,365
Got 1st preference
94.8%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All primary applications across Peterborough council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Future places in the local planning area
DfE estimates the Rural East Primary planning area (Peterborough) will have 78 spare primary places in 2027/28. In the year groups that are short, it estimates 1 additional place needed.
Source: Department for Education, School capacity: Academic year 2024/25 (published 19 March 2026), estimates of future school place demand by planning area. Council pupil forecasts against reported places, counting places councils and DfE plan to add or remove; rounded to whole places. Explore Education Statistics
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
40
SEN Support
8
EHC Plans
21.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
221
Total Pupils
100
Boys
121
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
14
Teachers
15.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,725
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,528
Per pupil
£1391k
Total funding
£88k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.3%
Overall absence
4.8%
Persistent absence
189
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about The Duke of Bedford Primary School
What are SATs results like at The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
Of the pupils at The Duke of Bedford Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 87% reached the expected standard in reading and 87% did so in maths.
What is The Duke of Bedford Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Duke of Bedford Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded. At its last graded inspection, in June 2019, it was rated Good.
How close to The Duke of Bedford Primary School do you need to live?
Peterborough published for September 2023 entry that the last place offered at The Duke of Bedford Primary School on distance went to a family 0.486 miles away.
Is it hard to get a place at The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
The Duke of Bedford Primary School was full in 2025, at 103% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
Classes at The Duke of Bedford Primary School average 27.6 pupils (2025/26). 3 classes have more than 30 pupils.
How many pupils go to The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
The Duke of Bedford Primary School has around 221 pupils on roll. 27% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
4.3% of sessions were missed at The Duke of Bedford Primary School in 2024/25. 4.8% of pupils were persistently absent.
What are The Duke of Bedford Primary School's term dates?
The Duke of Bedford Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Peterborough. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 2 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Peterborough is 16 (the median across 91 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Duke of Bedford Primary School?
The Duke of Bedford Primary School is at Wisbech Road, Thorney, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE6 0ST.
Sources: Peterborough admissions booklet; Peterborough term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)