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OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 109605

Silsoe CofE VC Lower School

Voluntary controlled school · Bedford · MK45 4GP

Ages 4–9 · 251 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

5.4%

Admissions demand

0.98 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-03-02

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 absence5.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)11.8%
Unauthorised1.1%
Authorised absence
4.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.8%
Enrolments in measure
237

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

0.98 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

49

Places offered

51

1st-preference offers

49

Total preferences (any rank)
64
Preferred offers (top 3)
50
Applications from outside LA
6
Offers to outside-LA applicants
2

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 fill84%

251 pupils · 300 places

Pupils on roll
251
Boys / girls
127 / 124
School capacity
300
Capacity fill
251 / 300 (84%)
Free school meals
8.4%
FSM pupils
21
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary controlled school

Age range

Ages 4–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of St Albans
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary controlled school
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Boyle

Location

Address
Chestnut Avenue, Silsoe
Postcode
MK45 4GP
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

SEN & specialist provision

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

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision and SEN unit
Resourced places
0 on roll / 8 capacity
SEN unit places
0 on roll / 0 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed voluntary controlled school (primary), Ages 4–9, in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, 251 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 8.4%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health. 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 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

  • Greenfield CofE VC Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Greenfield · MK45 5ES · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM6.3%
    • Demand0.94

    1.5 miles away

  • St Mary's VA CofE Lower School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Clophill · MK45 4BE · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM11.8%
    • Demand1.00

    1.9 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

    2.1 miles away

  • Gravenhurst Academy

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 4HY · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

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

    2.1 miles away

  • Kingsmoor Lower School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 1EY · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.2%
    • FSM14.1%
    • Demand0.95

    2.5 miles away

  • Ramsey Manor Lower School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 4NS · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM9.2%
    • Demand1.02

    2.7 miles away

  • Shillington Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Hitchin · SG5 3NX · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.9%
    • FSM15.7%
    • Demand0.93

    2.8 miles away

  • Flitwick Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 1LU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM9.4%
    • Demand0.98

    2.9 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Boyle
Telephone
01525860247
Website
www.silsoeschool.co.uk

Official links