Dunton CofE Junior School

Dunton CofE VC Lower School has shown a solid performance in its recent inspection, earning a 'Good' rating overall. The school features a positive learning environment where pupils are happy and engaged, showcasing pride in their achievements and a desire to learn. Staff have high expectations of students and provide strong support, particularly for those with special educational needs. However, this is the school's first graded inspection since the pandemic and reflects a transition period following a considerable change in staff. It also bears in mind the previous outstanding grade from 13 years ago, highlighting the school's journey and growth under new leadership.

Strengths

• Strong focus on early reading and phonics.
• Well-planned curricular activities that build on previous knowledge.
• High-quality provision for pupils with special educational needs.
• Positive behaviour and respectful environment.
• Effective strategies improving pupils' attendance.

Areas for Improvement

• Older pupils struggle to clearly demonstrate practical skills in some subjects.
• Limited extra-curricular opportunities for developing students' talents.

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 Dunton CofE Junior School attended 96.6% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 3.8% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

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, 2.0% of pupils at Dunton CofE Junior School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

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 Dunton CofE Junior School had 18.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 25.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

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, 13.6% of pupils at Dunton CofE Junior School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 6.1% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

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 Dunton CofE Junior School received £9,311 and spent £9,120 for each of its 66 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £46,000 (£694 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Biggleswade · Central Bedfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Dunton CofE Junior School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Dunton CofE Junior School is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was Dunton CofE Junior School last inspected by Ofsted?

Dunton CofE Junior School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does Dunton CofE Junior School have?

Dunton CofE Junior School has 66 pupils on roll.

What age range does Dunton CofE Junior School cover?

Dunton CofE Junior School for pupils aged 7 to 11.

Where is Dunton CofE Junior School?

Dunton CofE Junior School is at High Street, Dunton, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8RN.