The Rushmere Park Academy, Leighton Buzzard
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
The Rushmere Park Academy provides an exceptionally welcoming environment where children settle quickly and feel they belong. Staff use excellent teaching methods to help pupils build secure knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics, with particular strength in supporting children with additional needs or those learning English as an additional language. The school offers a broad, ambitious curriculum alongside a strong focus on personal development, teaching pupils about keeping safe, healthy relationships, and building their confidence as caring citizens.
Key Strengths
- Early years provision is strong with high-quality interactions and play-based learning that prepares children well for Year 1
- Personal development and wellbeing are embedded through carefully designed curriculum covering safety, healthy relationships, and citizenship
- Inclusive practice runs through daily work with skillful support for children with additional needs and those learning English as an additional language
- Leaders have improved attendance to broadly in line with national levels through prompt action and home visits
- Wide range of enrichment activities help pupils develop interests and strengths beyond lessons
Areas for Improvement
- Some differences in achievement remain for pupils facing the biggest barriers, particularly those with high absence
- Learning is not broken down clearly enough in some lessons, meaning some pupils do not fully understand new ideas
- Consistency in curriculum delivery varies across subjects, and pupils do not always apply writing skills in other subjects
- Low-level disruption in some lessons affects learning time
- Some parents want clearer communication, particularly when pupils move classes
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Sport, arts, mindfulness activities, outdoor learning, community activities including work with local care homes, school environment projects
The Rushmere Park Academy is a school where children make a very positive start in early years and benefit from a well-designed, ambitious curriculum. Leaders have clear priorities focused on pupil development, and staff follow consistent approaches to support learning and wellbeing.
At a Glance
23.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
20.1
Avg class size
30.0
Infant (KS1)
26.5
KS2
9
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
138%
Over capacity
207 pupils
150 capacity
57 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Leighton Buzzard
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Leighton Buzzard
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(104)
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
6.05799%
Overall absence
14.84375%
Persistent absence
128
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
The Rushmere Park Academy
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