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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 109479

Shefford Lower School

Community school · Shefford · SG17 5XA

Ages 3–9 · 514 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

4.8%

Admissions demand

1.02 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-06-18

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence4.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)11.4%
Unauthorised1.1%
Authorised absence
3.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.5%
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

1.02 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

91

Places offered

89

1st-preference offers

87

Total preferences (any rank)
117
Preferred offers (top 3)
89
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 fill114%

514 pupils · 450 places

Pupils on roll
514
Boys / girls
274 / 240
School capacity
450
Capacity fill
514 / 450 (114%)
Free school meals
14%
FSM pupils
66
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 3–9

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
Mrs Polly Ross

Location

Address
School Lane
Postcode
SG17 5XA
Town
Shefford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Hitchin
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
9 on roll / 8 capacity

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 3–9, in Shefford, Central Bedfordshire, 514 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 14%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

Open schools in Shefford
5
Primary schools in Shefford
3
Academies among open schools in Shefford
80% (4)
Open schools in SG17
6
Primary in SG17
4
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 SheffordNear SG17

  • Campton Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shefford · SG17 5PF · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence3.6%
    • FSM4.7%
    • Demand0.96

    0.7 miles away

  • Meppershall Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shefford · SG17 5LZ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM17.3%
    • Demand0.95

    1.6 miles away

  • Clifton All Saints Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Near Shefford · SG17 5ES · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS236%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM10.1%
    • Demand1.17

    1.7 miles away

  • Southill Lower School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Community school · Primary

    Biggleswade · SG18 9JA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM16.2%
    • Demand0.85

    2.2 miles away

  • Gravenhurst Academy

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 4HY · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM9.7%
    • Demand1.00

    2.4 miles away

  • Raynsford Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Henlow · SG16 6AT · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM10.3%
    • Demand1.17

    2.5 miles away

  • Stondon Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Henlow · SG16 6LQ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM12.5%
    • Demand1.00

    2.5 miles away

  • Derwent Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Henlow · SG16 6BA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM14.8%
    • Demand0.94

    2.6 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Polly Ross
Telephone
01462629123
Website
www.sheffordlowerschool.co.uk/

Official links