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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 109617

St Mary's VA CofE Lower School

Voluntary aided school · Clophill · MK45 4BE

Ages 2–9 · 134 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Overall absence

4.7%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-03-03

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence4.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)10.5%
Unauthorised1.1%
Authorised absence
3.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
95

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

22

Places offered

23

1st-preference offers

22

Total preferences (any rank)
43
Preferred offers (top 3)
23
Applications from outside LA
3
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 fill89%

134 pupils · 150 places

Pupils on roll
134
Boys / girls
66 / 68
School capacity
150
Capacity fill
134 / 150 (89%)
Free school meals
11.8%
FSM pupils
13
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 2–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • NurseryHas Nursery Classes
  • 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 Karen Bingley

Location

Address
High Street
Postcode
MK45 4BE
Town
Clophill
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Mid 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 voluntary aided school (primary), Ages 2–9, in Clophill, Central Bedfordshire, 134 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 11.8%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of St Albans.

Open schools in Clophill
1
Primary schools in Clophill
1
Academies among open schools in Clophill
0% (0)
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 ClophillNear MK45

  • Maulden Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 2AU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM9.9%
    • Demand1.10

    1.9 miles away

  • Silsoe CofE VC Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 4GP · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM8.4%
    • Demand0.98

    1.9 miles away

  • Gravenhurst Academy

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 4HY · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

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

    1.9 miles away

  • Campton Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shefford · SG17 5PF · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

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

    2.4 miles away

  • Haynes Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3PR · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM6.2%
    • Demand1.04

    2.7 miles away

  • Greenfield CofE VC Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Greenfield · MK45 5ES · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

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

    2.9 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Karen Bingley
Telephone
01525860206
Website
www.clophillstmarysschool.co.uk

Official links