UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 109464

Balliol Primary School

Community school · Bedford · MK42 7ER

Ages 2–11 · 355 pupils · Bedford

Ofsted

Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

52%

Overall absence

4.4%

Admissions demand

0.90 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-07-12

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)52%
Higher standard (RWM)4%
Avg scaled score — reading
103.0
Avg scaled score — maths
103.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
105.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence4.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)13.0%
Unauthorised1.1%
Authorised absence
3.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.3%
Enrolments in measure
308

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.90 · Often has places

1st preferences

26

Places offered

29

1st-preference offers

26

Total preferences (any rank)
74
Preferred offers (top 3)
29
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill81%

355 pupils · 440 places

Pupils on roll
355
Boys / girls
182 / 173
School capacity
440
Capacity fill
355 / 440 (81%)
Free school meals
30.4%
FSM pupils
108
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 2–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • NurseryHas Nursery Classes
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mrs Louise Youngman

Location

Address
Balliol Road, Kempston
Postcode
MK42 7ER
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
Bedford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (primary), Ages 2–11, in Bedford, Bedford, 355 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 30.4%.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Primary schools in Bedford
67
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK42
26
Primary in MK42
12
Open schools in Bedford LA
86
Primary in Bedford LA
55

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

  • Bedford Road Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 8QH · Bedford

    Ages 5–11

    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM30.1%
    • Demand0.88

    0.5 miles away

  • Community school · Primary

    Kempston · MK42 7FJ · Bedford

    Ages 5–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM10.8%
    • Demand1.20

    0.6 miles away

  • Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 7LJ · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS249%
    • Absence7.4%
    • FSM28.5%
    • Demand0.88

    0.7 miles away

  • Camestone School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 8NW · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM11.8%
    • Demand1.12

    0.9 miles away

  • Great Denham Primary School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4GG · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • KS268%
    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM12.9%
    • Demand1.07

    1.3 miles away

  • Wootton Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK43 9JT · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM17.5%

    1.5 miles away

  • Cauldwell School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9DR · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM21.4%
    • Demand1.18

    1.6 miles away

  • Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4HW · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • KS245%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM20.8%
    • Demand0.83

    1.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Louise Youngman
Telephone
01234300601

Official links