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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Not judgedURN 109446

Cotton End Forest School

Community school · Bedford · MK45 3AG

Ages 2–11 · 435 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

KS2 expected (RWM)

59%

Overall absence

4.6%

Admissions demand

1.07 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2025-05-20

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
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)59%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
102.0
Avg scaled score — maths
103.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
101.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)9.5%
Unauthorised1.0%
Authorised absence
3.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.4%
Enrolments in measure
296

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

1.07 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

64

Places offered

60

1st-preference offers

60

Total preferences (any rank)
114
Preferred offers (top 3)
60
Applications from outside LA
5
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 fill69%

435 pupils · 630 places

Pupils on roll
435
Boys / girls
239 / 196
School capacity
630
Capacity fill
435 / 630 (69%)
Free school meals
17.7%
FSM pupils
77
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 Karen Headland

Location

Address
High Road, Cotton End
Postcode
MK45 3AG
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
North Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Smaller rural: 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, 435 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 17.7%.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Primary schools in Bedford
67
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK45
23
Primary in MK45
17
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.

Compare with theseAll in BedfordNear MK45

  • Shortstown Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 0GS · Bedford

    Ages 2–11

    • KS245%
    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM26.3%
    • Demand1.03

    1.2 miles away

  • Wilstead Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3BX · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    1.6 miles away

  • Lakeview School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 6BH · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM18.9%

    1.7 miles away

  • Wixams Tree Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 6BA · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS246%
    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM18.2%
    • Demand0.99

    2.1 miles away

  • Haynes Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3PR · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM6.2%
    • Demand1.04

    2.2 miles away

  • Elstow School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9GP · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS270%
    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM21.1%
    • Demand0.91

    2.3 miles away

  • King's Oak Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 0HH · Bedford

    Ages 1–11

    • KS259%
    • Absence6.4%
    • FSM42.2%
    • Demand0.97

    2.3 miles away

  • Sheerhatch Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK44 3TH · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS239%
    • Absence6.9%
    • FSM18.6%
    • Demand1.00

    2.3 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Karen Headland
Telephone
01234740100
Website
www.cottonendforestschool.co.uk/

Official links