St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School is a voluntary controlled school in Biggleswade for pupils aged 4 to 11. It has a Church of England religious character. It has 945 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School is Needs attention, from an inspection in July 2026.
Ofsted inspection: July 2026.
| Type | Primary / Voluntary controlled school |
| Age Range | 4-11 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Brunts Lane Biggleswade Bedfordshire SG18 0LY |
| Phone | 01767312311 |
| Reference Number | 109595 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 945 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.69%
Girls: 49.31% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 12.5% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 4% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 27.8 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 28.6 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 27.2 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61 | 49 | 110 |
| 2 | 85 | 87 | 172 |
| 3 | 84 | 69 | 153 |
| 4 | 85 | 73 | 158 |
| 5 | 51 | 67 | 118 |
| 6 | 57 | 59 | 116 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 79.7% |
| White, Other | 3.6% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 3.1% |
| Indian | 2.2% |
| White & Asian | 1.9% |
| Mixed, Other | 1.9% |
| African | 1.5% |
| Asian, Other | 1.5% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.3% |
| Pakistani | 0.6% |
| Chinese | 0.4% |
| Unclassified | 0.4% |
| Irish | 0.1% |
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School is a large Church of England primary that has recently moved from lower-school status and will see its first Year 6 cohort move on in 2025–2026. Safeguarding standards are met, and the school's caring, inclusive ethos is a clear strength. Pupils feel safe, attend well, behave positively and benefit from strong early years provision, effective support for pupils with SEND, and a broad personal development offer that includes clubs, trips and pupil leadership roles. Pupil premium funding is used well to support disadvantaged pupils. The inspection judged attendance and behaviour, early years, inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing at the expected standard. However, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance need attention. Published outcomes are limited, but phonics results have been below national averages for three years, and the latest Year 4 multiplication check was significantly below average. Some pupils have gaps in key knowledge, especially in writing and presentation, and the support to help them catch up is not consistently swift or precise. Teaching quality varies, and staff do not always check understanding well enough, so misconceptions can persist beyond early years. Leaders recognise the need for greater consistency and have begun improvements, but these are recent and their impact is not yet clear. Staff need further targeted training, some parents and carers want clearer communication and greater involvement, and some staff would like more support in challenging situations. Leaders and governors must act quickly to secure consistently high-quality teaching and better achievement for all pupils.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Needs attention |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Expected standard |
| > Achievement | Needs attention |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Expected standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Needs attention |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| > Early Years | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 10 Mar 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 10 Mar 2026 | School inspection |
| 18 Nov 2021 | School inspection |
| 04 May 2016 | Short inspection |
| 28 Mar 2014 | Interim assessment |
| 09 Jun 2011 | Full inspection |
| 29 Nov 2007 | Full inspection |
| 06 Jun 2005 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture and pupils who feel safe.
- Pupils attend well, and persistent absence is below national averages.
- Behaviour is typically positive, classrooms are calm, and bullying is addressed effectively.
- Early years provides a strong start, particularly in early language and reading.
- The school has a caring, inclusive ethos and supports pupils with SEND well.
- Pupil premium funding is used effectively, and disadvantaged pupils take on leadership roles.
- Personal development is well established, including safety, relationships and wellbeing education.
- A broad range of clubs, trips and responsibilities enriches pupils' experience.
- Staff work proactively with external agencies and use alternative provision appropriately.
- Governors meet statutory duties, understand the school and provide support and challenge.
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement needs attention, with phonics outcomes below national averages for the past three years.
- The latest Year 4 multiplication tables check was significantly below average.
- Some pupils have gaps in key knowledge, including fluency, accuracy and presentation in writing.
- Pupils are not catching up quickly enough when gaps in their learning emerge.
- Teaching quality varies significantly across the school.
- Teachers do not consistently check understanding, so misconceptions can go unnoticed beyond early years.
- Catch-up support is variable and not precise or swift enough.
- Recent leadership improvements have not yet had a clear impact.
- Staff require further targeted training to secure consistent practice across all year groups.
- Some staff would like more support from leaders when facing challenging situations.
- Some parents and carers feel communication is unclear and involvement in school life is limited.
- Some pupils are not well prepared academically for the next stage of education because of unresolved gaps.
- Further work is needed with some parents and the school community to ensure support for the behaviour approach.
- Some early years staff need further training to make adult-child interactions more purposeful.
Reception admissions, 2026 entry
Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Second Preference | 58 | 8 |
| Third Preference | 40 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 0 | 0 |
Previous years
Sample
UnlockPlaces and pupil numbers
In 2024–25 St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School had 885 pupils for 900 places. 15 places (1.7%) were unfilled. The local authority plans to add 240 places by 2027–28.
Pupils and places
Reception intake in the “Biggleswade Primary” planning area
Central Bedfordshire counted 287 Reception pupils in this area in 2024–25 and forecasts 294 in 2029–30, up 2%.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Places | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 750 | 750 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 |
| Pupils | 334 | 366 | 377 | 378 | 393 | 429 | 513 | 592 | 656 | 688 | 755 | 776 | 789 | 819 | 885 |
| Unfilled | 25.8% | 18.7% | 16.2% | 16.0% | 12.7% | 4.7% | 31.6% | 21.1% | 27.1% | 23.6% | 16.1% | 13.8% | 12.3% | 9.0% | 1.7% |
Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.
In 2024–25 pupils at St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School attended 95.4% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 9.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).
Sessions missed
Pupils persistently absent
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorised absence | 3.3% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 3.3% | 5.7% | 4.3% | 4.1% | 3.6% |
| Unauthorised absence | 0.9% | 1.0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Severely absent pupils | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 0.6% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.0% |
Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.
In 2024–25, 0.4% of pupils at St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). One pupil was permanently excluded.
Pupils suspended at least once
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.9 |
| Permanent exclusions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.
In 2025–26 St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School had 24.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).
Pupils per teacher
Teachers who left the school within a year
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils per adult | 13.4 | 14.0 | 13.3 | 11.8 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 12.1 | 11.6 | 10.9 | 11.3 | 10.6 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 10.5 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left state teaching | 17.3% | 23.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5.6% | 4.1% | 13.5% | 0.0% | 8.8% | 3.1% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 4.5% | 1.1% | 4.1% | – |
| Teachers who took any sick leave | 71.4% | 71.4% | 100.0% | 88.9% | 61.9% | 65.5% | 71.4% | 64.7% | 61.5% | – | 71.4% | 95.1% | 80.0% | 79.1% | 65.4% | – |
| Sick days per teacher | 2.7 | 5.2 | 9.1 | 10.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 7.1 | 3.5 | – | 2.6 | 10.0 | 5.3 | 6.9 | 5.2 | – |
Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.
In 2025–26, 17.2% of pupils at St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 4.2% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).
Pupils by main type of need
| SEN support | EHC plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Social, emotional and mental health | 56 | 8 |
| Speech, language and communication needs | 35 | 20 |
| Moderate learning difficulty | 26 | 2 |
| Autistic spectrum disorder | 12 | 7 |
| Other difficulty or disability | 14 | 0 |
| Specific learning difficulty | 13 | 1 |
| Hearing impairment | 5 | 0 |
| Down's syndrome | 0 | 2 |
| Physical disability | 2 | 0 |
Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
In 2025–26 St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School received £6,263 and spent £6,262 for each of its 945 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £532,000 (-£563 per pupil).
Income per pupil
Spending per pupil
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue reserve | £266,000 | £187,000 | £453,000 | £478,000 | £103,000 | -£303,000 | -£533,000 | -£532,000 |
| per pupil | £383 | £249 | £596 | £618 | £130 | -£368 | -£596 | -£563 |
| In-year balance | £129,000 | -£79,000 | £267,000 | £25,000 | -£375,000 | -£406,000 | -£230,000 | £1,000 |
| per pupil | £186 | -£105 | £350 | £32 | -£474 | -£493 | -£257 | £1 |
Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).
| Name | Distance |
|
Lawnside Academy
Lawnside, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0LX |
0.42 miles |
|
Biggleswade Academy
Mead End, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JU |
0.87 miles |
|
Caldecote Church of England Academy
Manor Place, Upper Caldecote, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9DA |
1.4 miles |
|
Langford Village Academy
Church Street, Langford, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9QA |
2.08 miles |
|
Sutton CofE VA Primary School
High Street, Sutton, Bedfordshire, SG19 2NE |
2.61 miles |
|
St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School
Ivel Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1AX |
2.61 miles |
|
Northill CofE Academy
Bedford Road, Northill, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9AH |
2.69 miles |
|
Dunton CofE Junior School
High Street, Dunton, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8RN |
2.97 miles |
|
Laburnum Primary School
Laburnum Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1HQ |
2.99 miles |
|
Southill Lower School
School Lane, Southill, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9JA |
2.99 miles |
|
Robert Peel Primary School
Dapifer Drive, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1QJ |
3.09 miles |
|
Potton Primary School
Mill Lane, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2PG |
3.42 miles |
|
Maple Tree Primary School
Hawk Drive, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2WA |
3.71 miles |
|
Everton Heath Primary School
33 Potton Road, Everton, Nr Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2LE |
3.94 miles |
|
Clifton All Saints Academy
Church Street, Clifton, Near Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5ES |
3.98 miles |
|
Moggerhanger Primary School
Blunham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RD |
3.99 miles |
|
Raynsford Church of England Academy
Park Lane, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6AT |
4.09 miles |
|
John Donne Church of England Primary School
High Street, Blunham, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL |
4.51 miles |
|
Wrestlingworth CofE Infant School
Church Lane, Wrestlingworth, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2EU |
4.58 miles |
|
Robert Bloomfield Academy
Bloomfield Drive, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5BU |
4.95 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Ivel Valley School & College
Hitchmead Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0NL |
0.71 miles |
|
Stratton School
Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JB |
0.73 miles |
|
Edward Peake CofE VC School
Potton Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0EJ |
0.82 miles |
|
OneSchool Global UK - Biggleswade Campus
The Oaks, Potton Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0EP |
1.58 miles |
|
Sandy Secondary School
Engayne Avenue, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1BL |
3.46 miles |
|
Henlow Church of England Academy
Church Road, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6AN |
4.01 miles |
|
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5QS |
4.29 miles |
|
Etonbury Academy
Stotfold Road, Arlesey, Bedfordshire, SG15 6XS |
4.95 miles |
All schools in Biggleswade · Central Bedfordshire local authority: places and applications
What is St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School is Needs attention, from an inspection in July 2026.
When was St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School was last inspected in July 2026.
How many pupils does St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School have?
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School has 945 pupils on roll.
What age range does St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School cover?
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School for pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School?
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School is at Brunts Lane, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0LY.