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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Standards maintainedURN 144039

Elstow School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK42 9GP

Ages 4–11 · 413 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Standards maintained

KS2 expected (RWM)

70%

Overall absence

4.9%

Admissions demand

0.91 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Standards maintained

Inspection date

2025-04-02

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)70%
Higher standard (RWM)11%
Avg scaled score — reading
106.0
Avg scaled score — maths
104.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
107.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)11.7%
Unauthorised1.0%
Authorised absence
3.9%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.3%
Enrolments in measure
367

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

0.91 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

48

Places offered

53

1st-preference offers

48

Total preferences (any rank)
84
Preferred offers (top 3)
53
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1

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 fill98%

413 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
413
Boys / girls
211 / 202
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
413 / 420 (98%)
Free school meals
21.1%
FSM pupils
87
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Academy trust
ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Sponsor
Advantage Schools Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Ciantar

Location

Address
Abbey Fields, Elstow
Postcode
MK42 9GP
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
Mid Bedfordshire
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 academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Bedford, Bedford, 413 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 21.1%.

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.

Compare with theseAll in BedfordNear MK42

  • Shackleton Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9LZ · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS243%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM34.1%
    • Demand1.00

    0.8 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

    0.9 miles away

  • Springfield Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 7LJ · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    0.9 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

    1.0 miles away

  • Cauldwell School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9DR · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    1.0 miles away

  • Shortstown Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 0GS · Bedford

    Ages 2–11

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

    1.4 miles away

  • Bedford Road Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 8QH · Bedford

    Ages 5–11

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

    1.4 miles away

  • Lakeview School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 6BH · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM18.9%

    1.5 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Ciantar
Telephone
01234302300
Website
www.elstowschool.co.uk

Official links