UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 144545

Shackleton Primary School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK42 9LZ

Ages 4–11 · 487 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

KS2 expected (RWM)

43%

Overall absence

6.0%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-01-27

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected 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)43%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
103.0
Avg scaled score — maths
103.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
102.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)20.4%
Unauthorised2.1%
Authorised absence
3.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.5%
Enrolments in measure
475

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

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

60

Places offered

60

1st-preference offers

55

Total preferences (any rank)
147
Preferred offers (top 3)
60
Applications from outside LA
0
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 fill101%

487 pupils · 480 places

Pupils on roll
487
Boys / girls
255 / 232
School capacity
480
Capacity fill
487 / 480 (101%)
Free school meals
34.1%
FSM pupils
166
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: HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Harpur Trust
Headteacher
Dr Andie BenBrahim

Location

Address
Pearcey Road, Shackleton Primary School
Postcode
MK42 9LZ
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 academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Bedford, Bedford, 487 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 34.1%.

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

  • 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

    0.5 miles away

  • Cauldwell School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9DR · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    0.5 miles away

  • Elstow School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9GP · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    0.8 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

    1.1 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

    1.1 miles away

  • Castle Newnham School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 3EP · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM9.6%

    1.1 miles away

  • Springfield Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 7LJ · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    1.3 miles away

  • Queen's Park Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK40 4HA · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

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

    1.4 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Dr Andie BenBrahim
Telephone
01234352912
Website
www.shackletonprimary.co.uk

Official links