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ClosedPrimaryURN 109618

St Leonards, Heath and Reach, VA Lower School

Voluntary aided school · Leighton Buzzard · LU7 0AX

Ages 5–9 · 119 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

Overall absence

5.7%

Admissions demand

0.76 · Often has places

Absence

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

Overall absence5.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)14.7%
Unauthorised1.5%
Authorised absence
4.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.8%
Enrolments in measure
109

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

0.76 · Often has places

1st preferences

13

Places offered

17

1st-preference offers

13

Total preferences (any rank)
35
Preferred offers (top 3)
17
Applications from outside LA
2
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 (16 Jan 2025).

Capacity fill95%

119 pupils · 125 places

Pupils on roll
119
Boys / girls
57 / 62
School capacity
125
Capacity fill
119 / 125 (95%)
Free school meals
10.1%
FSM pupils
12
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 5–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • 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
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Bowley

Location

Address
Thrift Road, Heath and Reach
Postcode
LU7 0AX
Town
Leighton Buzzard
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
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 5–9, in Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire, 119 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 10.1%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of St Albans.

Open schools in Leighton Buzzard
24
Primary schools in Leighton Buzzard
16
Academies among open schools in Leighton Buzzard
42% (10)
Open schools in LU7
27
Primary in LU7
18
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 Leighton BuzzardNear LU7

  • St Leonards CE Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 0AX · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • FSM7.7%

    0.0 miles away

  • Heathwood Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 3AU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM5.8%
    • Demand1.33

    0.8 miles away

  • Dovery Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 3AG · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM5.7%
    • Demand0.96

    1.0 miles away

  • The Rushmere Park Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 1EW · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM23.3%
    • Demand0.90

    1.7 miles away

  • Beaudesert Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 3DX · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM9.0%
    • Demand1.18

    1.9 miles away

  • The Mary Bassett Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 1AR · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM18.9%
    • Demand0.85

    2.0 miles away

  • Southcott Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 2UA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM6.8%
    • Demand0.88

    2.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Bowley

Official links