UKSchoolSearch
ClosedPrimaryURN 109499

Watling Lower School

Community school · Dunstable · LU6 3BJ

Ages 2–9 · 197 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

Overall absence

8.0%

Admissions demand

1.34 · Competitive

Absence

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

Overall absence8.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)23.8%
Unauthorised2.1%
Authorised absence
5.9%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.8%
Enrolments in measure
122

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

1.34 · Competitive

1st preferences

39

Places offered

29

1st-preference offers

29

Total preferences (any rank)
109
Preferred offers (top 3)
29
Applications from outside LA
1
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 fill120%

197 pupils · 150 places

Pupils on roll
197
Boys / girls
100 / 97
School capacity
150
Capacity fill
197 / 150 (131%)
Free school meals
4.9%
FSM pupils
8
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
Mr Robert Cook

Location

Address
Bull Pond Lane
Postcode
LU6 3BJ
Town
Dunstable
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Urban/rural
(England/Wales) Urban city and town

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 Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, 197 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 4.9%.

Open schools in Dunstable
33
Primary schools in Dunstable
22
Academies among open schools in Dunstable
73% (24)
Open schools in LU6
15
Primary in LU6
12
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 DunstableNear LU6

  • Watling Lower School

    Ofsted: Some aspects not as strong

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 3BJ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • FSM7.5%

    0.0 miles away

  • Ardley Hill Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 3NZ · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS242%
    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM12.8%
    • Demand0.91

    0.3 miles away

  • Dunstable Icknield Lower School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 3AG · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • FSM16.7%

    0.4 miles away

  • Lark Rise Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 3PT · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS282%
    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM7.6%
    • Demand1.31

    0.5 miles away

  • Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 1EW · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM15.1%
    • Demand1.10

    0.6 miles away

  • St. Augustine's Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU5 4AS · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence7.9%
    • FSM40.1%
    • Demand0.93

    0.7 miles away

  • Beecroft Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dunstable · LU6 1DW · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS232%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM18.6%
    • Demand0.92

    1.0 miles away

  • St Mary's Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Luton · LU1 4BB · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS263%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM22.5%
    • Demand1.00

    1.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Robert Cook

Official links