Silsoe CofE VC Lower School
| Type | Primary / Voluntary controlled school |
| Age Range | 4-9 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Chestnut Avenue Silsoe Bedford Bedfordshire MK45 4GP |
| Reference Number | 109605 |
Silsoe CofE VC Lower School has been rated as good overall, demonstrating a caring ethos that builds positive relationships among pupils and staff. The school creates an inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and valued, contributing to their happiness and enthusiasm for learning. While the curriculum is ambitious and well-sequenced in most areas, some subjects lack clarity which affects pupil learning. The school's recent transition to a new site and growth in size, coupled with a new headteacher, offers a significant context for understanding this inspection.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 278 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.36%
Girls: 49.64% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 11.9% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 1.4% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 24.6 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 26 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 28.5 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 22 | 50 |
| 2 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
| 3 | 27 | 28 | 55 |
| 4 | 33 | 33 | 66 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 78.4% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 4.7% |
| White & Asian | 3.2% |
| African | 2.5% |
| Indian | 2.2% |
| White, Other | 1.8% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.8% |
| Mixed, Other | 1.8% |
| Pakistani | 1.1% |
| Irish | 0.7% |
| Unclassified | 0.4% |
| Caribbean | 0.4% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Good |
| > Early Years Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 02 Mar 2023 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 02 Mar 2023 | School inspection: |
| 06 Feb 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 28 Feb 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 19 Jun 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Caring ethos fostering positive relationships
- Strong reading culture with effective support for struggling readers
- Enthusiastic and respectful pupils
- Well-planned early years curriculum promoting independence
- Effective training for teachers enhancing teaching quality
- Strong safeguarding culture ensuring pupil safety
Areas for Improvement
- Some curriculum areas lack precise sequencing and detail
- Older readers do not always have appropriately matched books
- Minor concerns regarding communication with some parents
2025 Admissions
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 7 | 1 |
| Third Preference | 8 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 7 | 5 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Greenfield CofE VC Lower School
Pulloxhill Road, Greenfield, Bedfordshire, MK45 5ES |
1.46 miles |
|
St Mary's VA CofE Lower School
High Street, Clophill, Bedfordshire, MK45 4BE |
1.94 miles |
|
Maulden Lower School
Church Road, Maulden, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2AU |
2.08 miles |
|
Gravenhurst Academy
High Street, Gravenhurst, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HY |
2.09 miles |
|
Orchard School & Nursery
Higham Gobion Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RB |
2.36 miles |
|
Kingsmoor Lower School
Kingsmoor Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1EY |
2.47 miles |
|
Ramsey Manor Lower School
Manor Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4NS |
2.7 miles |
|
Shillington Lower School
Greenfields, Shillington, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 3NX |
2.81 miles |
|
Arnold Academy
Hexton Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4JZ |
2.88 miles |
|
Flitwick Lower School
Temple Way, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1LU |
2.88 miles |
|
Templefield Lower School
Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AJ |
3 miles |
|
Woodland Middle School Academy
Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1NP |
3.03 miles |
|
Russell Lower School
Queens Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2TD |
3.07 miles |
|
Westoning Lower School
High Street, Westoning, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 5JH |
3.15 miles |
|
The Firs Lower School
Station Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2QR |
3.3 miles |
|
Alameda Middle School
Station Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2QR |
3.39 miles |
|
Campton Academy
Rectory Road, Campton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5PF |
3.6 miles |
|
Meppershall Church of England Academy
107 High Street, Meppershall, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5LZ |
3.67 miles |
|
Harlington Lower School
Westoning Road, Harlington, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 6PD |
3.74 miles |
|
Shefford Lower School
School Lane, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5XA |
4.29 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Esland Bedford School
Unit 54, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS |
0.97 miles |
|
Redborne Upper School and Community College
Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU |
3.02 miles |
|
Harlington Upper School
Goswell End Road, Harlington, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 6NX |
3.52 miles |