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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 144746

Great Ouse Primary Academy

Free schools · Bedford · MK40 4TJ

Ages 3–11 · 455 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

KS2 expected (RWM)

78%

Overall absence

5.7%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-06-02

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

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)78%
Higher standard (RWM)3%
Avg scaled score — reading
109.0
Avg scaled score — maths
110.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
111.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)13.4%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
4.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.3%
Enrolments in measure
313

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

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

55

Places offered

57

1st-preference offers

55

Total preferences (any rank)
87
Preferred offers (top 3)
57
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 fill108%

455 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
455
Boys / girls
233 / 222
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
455 / 420 (108%)
Free school meals
18.7%
FSM pupils
85
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 3–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: MERIDIAN TRUST
Academy trust
MERIDIAN TRUST
Sponsor
Meridian Trust
Headteacher
Mr Chris Payne

Location

Address
Seaforth Gardens
Postcode
MK40 4TJ
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 free schools (primary), Ages 3–11, in Bedford, Bedford, 455 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 18.7%.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Primary schools in Bedford
67
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK40
11
Primary in MK40
8
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 MK40

  • Queen's Park Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4HA · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • KS249%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM32.4%
    • Demand0.98

    0.6 miles away

  • Livingstone Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bedford · MK41 7LG · Bedford

    Ages 2–11

    • KS256%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM36.0%
    • Demand0.95

    0.6 miles away

  • Edith Cavell Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bedford · MK41 7NH · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM36.0%
    • Demand1.00

    0.6 miles away

  • Westfield Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4HW · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

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

    0.6 miles away

  • St James' CofE Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4BD · Bedford

    Ages 5–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM18.0%
    • Demand1.07

    0.8 miles away

  • Priory Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 1JD · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • KS246%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM26.2%
    • Demand1.77

    0.8 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

    1.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Chris Payne
Telephone
01234907890
Website
www.greatouse.beds.sch.uk

Official links