UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 109615

John Donne Church of England Primary School

Voluntary aided school · Bedford · MK44 3NL

Ages 3–11 · 119 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

KS2 expected (RWM)

42%

Overall absence

5.6%

Admissions demand

0.95 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2023-11-28

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Requires improvement
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
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)42%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
103.0
Avg scaled score — maths
97.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
100.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)14.0%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
4.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.2%
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

0.95 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

19

Places offered

20

1st-preference offers

19

Total preferences (any rank)
26
Preferred offers (top 3)
20
Applications from outside LA
3
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 fill57%

119 pupils · 208 places

Pupils on roll
119
Boys / girls
56 / 63
School capacity
208
Capacity fill
119 / 208 (57%)
Free school meals
17%
FSM pupils
18
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 3–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of St Albans
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary aided school
Federation
The Riverbank Federation
Headteacher
Mrs Anita Whitehurst

Location

Address
High Street, Blunham
Postcode
MK44 3NL
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
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 voluntary aided school (primary), Ages 3–11, in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, 119 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 17%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of St Albans.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Primary schools in Bedford
67
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK44
14
Primary in MK44
12
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 MK44

  • Maple Tree Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Sandy · SG19 2WA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM12.1%
    • Demand1.37

    1.0 miles away

  • Moggerhanger Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bedford · MK44 3RD · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS244%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM14.4%
    • Demand1.00

    1.3 miles away

  • Laburnum Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Sandy · SG19 1HQ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence7.2%
    • FSM25.2%
    • Demand1.00

    1.5 miles away

  • Robert Peel Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Foundation school · Primary

    Sandy · SG19 1QJ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS264%
    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM26.6%
    • Demand0.92

    1.6 miles away

  • Roxton Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Bedford · MK44 3DR · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM27.1%
    • Demand1.00

    2.0 miles away

  • Northill CofE Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Biggleswade · SG18 9AH · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM21.2%
    • Demand0.85

    2.9 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Anita Whitehurst
Telephone
01767640346
Website
www.johndonne.co.uk

Official links