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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 137756

The Firs Lower School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK45 2QR

Ages 2–9 · 350 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

4.5%

Admissions demand

0.83 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-05-03

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence4.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)8.4%
Unauthorised1.1%
Authorised absence
3.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.5%
Enrolments in measure
214

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

0.83 · Often has places

1st preferences

50

Places offered

60

1st-preference offers

50

Total preferences (any rank)
127
Preferred offers (top 3)
60
Applications from outside LA
9
Offers to outside-LA applicants
5

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 fill101%

350 pupils · 348 places

Pupils on roll
350
Boys / girls
180 / 170
School capacity
348
Capacity fill
350 / 348 (101%)
Free school meals
5%
FSM pupils
14
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 2–9

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: THE FIRS LOWER SCHOOL
Academy trust
THE FIRS LOWER SCHOOL
Headteacher
Mr Adam Campbell

Location

Address
Station Road, Ampthill
Postcode
MK45 2QR
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Mid Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Urban: 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 2–9, in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, 350 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 5%.

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

  • Russell Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Ampthill · MK45 2TD · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence3.8%
    • FSM4.8%
    • Demand1.21

    0.3 miles away

  • Templefield Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 1AJ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM9.4%
    • Demand0.98

    1.5 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

    1.7 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

    1.7 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

    1.8 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

    2.2 miles away

  • Houghton Conquest Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK45 3LL · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM21.8%
    • Demand1.45

    2.7 miles away

  • Thomas Johnson Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK43 0SB · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM9.4%
    • Demand1.00

    2.9 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Adam Campbell
Telephone
01525402735
Website
http://www.firslower.co.uk

Official links