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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 144546

Shortstown Primary School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK42 0GS

Ages 2–11 · 479 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

KS2 expected (RWM)

45%

Overall absence

4.5%

Admissions demand

1.03 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-02-03

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • 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)45%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
103.0
Avg scaled score — maths
101.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
104.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)9.6%
Unauthorised1.7%
Authorised absence
2.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
363

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

1.03 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

61

Places offered

59

1st-preference offers

58

Total preferences (any rank)
106
Preferred offers (top 3)
59
Applications from outside LA
1
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%

479 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
479
Boys / girls
230 / 249
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
479 / 420 (114%)
Free school meals
26.3%
FSM pupils
111
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 2–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • NurseryHas Nursery Classes
  • 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
Mrs Denise Cottam

Location

Address
Beauvais Square, Shortstown
Postcode
MK42 0GS
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
North 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 academy converter (primary), Ages 2–11, in Bedford, Bedford, 479 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 26.3%.

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

    1.1 miles away

  • Cotton End Forest School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3AG · Bedford

    Ages 2–11

    • KS259%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM17.7%
    • Demand1.07

    1.2 miles away

  • Elstow School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9GP · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    1.4 miles away

  • Shackleton Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9LZ · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS243%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM34.1%
    • Demand1.00

    1.6 miles away

  • Lakeview School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 6BH · Bedford

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM18.9%

    1.8 miles away

  • Sheerhatch Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK44 3TH · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

    • KS239%
    • Absence6.9%
    • FSM18.6%
    • Demand1.00

    2.0 miles away

  • Cauldwell School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK42 9DR · Bedford

    Ages 4–11

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

    2.1 miles away

  • Goldington Green Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK41 0DP · Bedford

    Ages 2–11

    • KS264%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM37.0%
    • Demand0.98

    2.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Denise Cottam
Telephone
01234740881
Website
www.shortstownprimary.co.uk

Official links