Totternhoe Church of England Academy, Dunstable

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Totternhoe Church of England Academy on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders set clear expectations for behaviour."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise inclusion."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a well-sequenced personal development programme."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils generally secure the basic skills they need to be ready for the next stage in education."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Across the school, there is variability in the quality of teaching."

Early years - Needs attention. "Many staff interact well with children."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "The trust supports the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff have secure subject knowledge and teach the full curriculum well, so that all pupils build knowledge accurately and securely over time"; "Leaders need to continue their work to ensure that adult interactions in the early years are purposeful and develop children's knowledge rapidly"; "Leaders need to ensure that more pupils reach the expected standard by the end of Year 6. They should improve achievement across all year groups, including for pupils who join the school at different times"; "Leaders need to continue to improve communication with parents and carers so that more parents have secure confidence in the leadership of the school"; "Leaders and those responsible for governance need to embed their identified priorities fully and ensure that ongoing actions lead to rapid and sustained improvements in standards".

In 2025, 41% of Year 6 pupils at Totternhoe Church of England Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 24% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 66% in Central Bedfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 82% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Totternhoe Church of England Academy as their first choice and 30 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Totternhoe Church of England Academy are Eaton Bray Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 59% reading, 44% maths); Lancot School (1 mile, Good, 71% reading, 67% maths); Beecroft Academy (1.2 miles, Good, 68% reading, 66% maths); and Edlesborough Primary Academy (1.5 miles, Good, 89% reading, 82% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Totternhoe Church of England Academy.

Totternhoe Church of England Academy is one of 15 schools run by Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

5.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 37 pupils (20.9%) received SEN support and 16 (9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Totternhoe Church of England Academy had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Totternhoe Church of England Academy.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Giles' Church (opposite), 180 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 14 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Central Bedfordshire (47).

Totternhoe Church of England Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.