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OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 109508

The Mary Bassett Lower School

Community school · Leighton Buzzard · LU7 1AR

Ages 2–9 · 378 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

6.1%

Admissions demand

0.85 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-05-22

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 absence6.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.5%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
4.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.2%
Enrolments in measure
249

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

0.85 · Often has places

1st preferences

51

Places offered

60

1st-preference offers

48

Total preferences (any rank)
121
Preferred offers (top 3)
60
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 (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill90%

378 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
378
Boys / girls
200 / 178
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
378 / 420 (90%)
Free school meals
18.9%
FSM pupils
57
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community 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

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Ms Hilary Wheeldon

Location

Address
Bassett Road
Postcode
LU7 1AR
Town
Leighton Buzzard
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
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 community school (primary), Ages 2–9, in Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire, 378 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 18.9%.

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

  • Pulford CofE VA Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 1AB · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence3.6%
    • FSM4.3%
    • Demand1.23

    0.3 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

    0.5 miles away

  • Clipstone Brook Lower School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 3PG · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM11.8%
    • Demand0.95

    0.6 miles away

  • Linslade Lower School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 2QU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence3.2%
    • FSM4.1%
    • Demand1.59

    0.6 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

    0.8 miles away

  • Leedon Lower School

    Ofsted: Urgent improvement

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 3LZ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence7.1%
    • FSM23.5%
    • Demand0.89

    0.9 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

  • Greenleas School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Leighton Buzzard · LU7 2AB · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM9.4%
    • Demand1.07

    1.2 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Hilary Wheeldon
Telephone
01525373017
Website
www.marybassett.co.uk

Official links