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OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 109458

Houghton Conquest Lower School

Community school · Bedford · MK45 3LL

Ages 2–9 · 139 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

6.2%

Admissions demand

1.45 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-06-04

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

Absence

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

Overall absence6.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.3%
Unauthorised1.0%
Authorised absence
5.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
86

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

1.45 · Competitive

1st preferences

29

Places offered

20

1st-preference offers

20

Total preferences (any rank)
40
Preferred offers (top 3)
20
Applications from outside LA
7
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 fill97%

139 pupils · 144 places

Pupils on roll
139
Boys / girls
72 / 67
School capacity
144
Capacity fill
139 / 144 (97%)
Free school meals
21.8%
FSM pupils
22
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 2–9

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
Miss Julie Heaslip

Location

Address
High Street, Houghton Conquest
Postcode
MK45 3LL
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Mid Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Larger 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 2–9, in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, 139 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 21.8%.

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 Central Bedfordshire LA
135
Primary in Central Bedfordshire LA
95

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

  • Broadmead Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK43 9NN · Bedford

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM19.3%
    • Demand0.93

    1.7 miles away

  • Wilstead Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3BX · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    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

    1.8 miles away

  • Lakeview School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 6BH · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM18.9%

    2.1 miles away

  • Maulden Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 2AU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM9.9%
    • Demand1.10

    2.4 miles away

  • Russell Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Ampthill · MK45 2TD · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence3.8%
    • FSM4.8%
    • Demand1.21

    2.5 miles away

  • The Firs Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 2QR · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM5.0%
    • Demand0.83

    2.7 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Miss Julie Heaslip
Telephone
01234740202
Website
www.hcschool.org.uk

Official links