Cotton End Forest School
| Type | Primary / Community school |
| Age Range | 3-11 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | High Road Cotton End Bedford Bedfordshire MK45 3AG |
| Phone | 01234740100 |
| Reference Number | 109446 |
Description
betaCotton End Forest School is an innovative educational establishment located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, UK, with its postal address being MK45 3AG. This exceptional institution immerses students in nature-based learning experiences, adopting a 'forest school' philosophy that enables personal, social, and emotional development, as well as practical and technical skills, within a natural and child-centered environment.
Key features and facts about Cotton End Forest School include:
- Nature-Based Education: The school provides hands-on learning experiences that foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment and the seasonal changes throughout the year.
- Age Range: The school caters to children aged 3-11 years, taking them through primary education in an engaging outdoor setting.
- Experienced Staff: Staff members are trained in forest school practices, incorporating their passion for the outdoors into their teaching methods.
- Collaboration: The school works collaboratively with Leighton Primary Academy, sharing resources and collaborating on certain activities to enhance the educational experience and improve outcomes for students across both institutions.
- School Values: The mission of the school is to prepare each student with the necessary skills and understanding to face the challenges of the modern world while promoting sound social and emotional well-being.
- Local Facilities: Cotton End Forest School offers additional on-site resources such as a community room for parent workshops and educational events, as well as a kitchen to make indoor learning possible during inclement weather.
- Awards and Recognition: The school has been awarded the "Outdoor Effective Accreditation Level 3" by Napo Outdoor Effectiveness, recognizing their excellence in educational practice.
- Community Engagement: The school is managed by the James quandary Education Trust, a local multi-academy trust aiming to support education in the surrounding areas.
By providing a curriculum that combines essential subject areas with exciting outdoor experiences, Cotton End Forest School fosters a love for learning and appreciation for the natural world in the children it serves.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 389 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 56.56%
Girls: 43.44% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 15.4% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 10.8% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 30 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 28.3 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 26.8 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 34 | 26 | 60 |
| 2 | 30 | 28 | 58 |
| 3 | 32 | 22 | 54 |
| 4 | 31 | 28 | 59 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 28 |
| 6 | 17 | 5 | 22 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 62.7% |
| White, Other | 6.4% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 5.7% |
| African | 5.1% |
| White & Asian | 4.9% |
| Indian | 3.6% |
| White & Black (African) | 3.3% |
| Mixed, Other | 2.3% |
| Unclassified | 2.1% |
| Caribbean | 1.5% |
| Asian, Other | 0.5% |
| Irish | 0.3% |
| Pakistani | 0.3% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| > Quality of education | Requires Improvement |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Requires Improvement |
| > Early Years Provision | Good |
| Last Inspection Date | 2023-03-20 |
| Date | Description | Report |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-24 | School inspection: | School inspection: |
| 2020-10-15 | Monitoring visit | Monitoring visit |
| 2017-02-08 | Short inspection | Short inspection |
| 2013-02-13 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2011-02-16 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2007-12-05 | Full inspection: | Full inspection: |
| 2003-02-10 | Full inspection | Full inspection |
Average Scaled Score
Results are converted into scaled scores to allow accurate comparisons of performance over time even if the difficulty of the test varies over time. Scaled scores range from 80 to 120.
| Subject | School | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 101 | Unlock | Unlock |
| Maths | 102 | Unlock | Unlock |
Progress Scores
A progress score is a way to measure how well a student progressed in comparison to other students of a similar starting ability. A score of zero means would mean that a student made the same progress as others that had a similar starting a ability. A positive score would mean that the student made more progress than other students of similar starting ability. The scores below are for the whole school so is the average progress score across all students.
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | -2.6 | Unlock | Unlock |
| Writing | 0.4 | Unlock | Unlock |
| Maths | -0.6 | Unlock | Unlock |
How many students meet the standards
Sample
UnlockAverage Scaled Score
Results are converted into scaled scores to allow accurate comparisons of performance over time even if the difficulty of the test varies over time. Scaled scores range from 80 to 120.
Sample
UnlockProgress Scores
A progress score is a way to measure how well a student progressed in comparison to other students of a similar starting ability. A score of zero means would mean that a student made the same progress as others that had a similar starting a ability. A positive score would mean that the student made more progress than other students of similar starting ability. The scores below are for the whole school so is the average progress score across all students.
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Shortstown Primary School
Beauvais Square, Shortstown, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 0GS |
1.22 miles |
|
Wilstead Primary School
Cotton End Road, Wilstead, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3BX |
1.61 miles |
|
Lakeview School
School Lane, Off Brooklands Avenue, Wixams, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 6BH |
1.72 miles |
|
Wixams Tree Primary School
Green Lane, Wixams, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 6BA |
2.11 miles |
|
Haynes Lower School
Foresters Close, Haynes, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3PR |
2.2 miles |
|
Elstow School
Abbey Fields, Elstow, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9GP |
2.26 miles |
|
King's Oak Primary School
Oak Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 0HH |
2.31 miles |
|
Sheerhatch Primary School
Willington Road, Cople, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3TH |
2.34 miles |
|
Shackleton Primary School
Pearcey Road, Shackleton Primary School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9LZ |
2.71 miles |
|
Cherry Trees Nursery School
Hawkins Road, Bedford, MK42 9LS |
2.75 miles |
|
Springfield Primary School
Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7LJ |
3.1 miles |
|
Cauldwell School
Edward Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9DR |
3.15 miles |
|
Peter Pan Nursery School
Edward Road, Bedford, MK42 9DR |
3.16 miles |
|
Camestone School
Jowitt Avenue, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8NW |
3.21 miles |
|
Goldington Green Academy
Goldington Green, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 0DP |
3.28 miles |
|
Houghton Conquest Lower School
High Street, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3LL |
3.29 miles |
|
Castle Newnham School
Goldington Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 3EP |
3.4 miles |
|
St John Rigby Catholic Primary School
Polhill Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9DQ |
3.64 miles |
|
Bedford Road Primary Academy
Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8QH |
3.68 miles |
|
Priory Primary School
Greyfriars, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1JD |
3.77 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Bedford Academy
Mile Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9TR |
2.16 miles |
|
Wixams Academy
Green Lane, Wixams, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 6BA |
2.18 miles |
|
KWS School
51 Brunel Road, Bedford, MK41 9TJ |
2.89 miles |
|
Daubeney Academy
Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7PS |
3.09 miles |
|
Bedford Girls' School
Cardington Road, Bedford, MK42 0BX |
3.13 miles |
|
Bedford Free School
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AD |
3.26 miles |
|
Bedford College
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AH |
3.34 miles |
|
St John's School
Austin Canons, Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8AA |
3.45 miles |
|
Goldington Academy
Haylands Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9BX |
3.55 miles |
|
Grange Academy
Halsey Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8AU |
3.66 miles |
|
Bedford School
De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU |
3.7 miles |
|
Castle Newnham School
Polhill Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9DT |
3.77 miles |
|
Kempston Academy
Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EB |
3.96 miles |
|
Ridgeway School
Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EB |
3.99 miles |
|
Bedford Greenacre Independent School
|
4.31 miles |
|
Biddenham International School and Sports College
Biddenham Turn, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4AZ |
4.37 miles |
|
Mark Rutherford School
Wentworth Drive, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 8PX |
4.46 miles |
|
Bedford Modern School
Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7NT |
4.49 miles |
|
Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College
Green Lane, Stewartby, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 9LY |
4.77 miles |
|
St Thomas More Catholic School
Tyne Crescent, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7UL |
4.96 miles |