St Mary's VA CofE Lower School
| Type | Primary / Voluntary aided school |
| Age Range | 2-9 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | High Street Clophill Bedfordshire MK45 4BE |
| Reference Number | 109617 |
St Mary's VA CofE Lower School demonstrates a strong overall performance, with leaders actively promoting an open and positive culture that prioritizes pupil safety and well-being. Attendance rates are above national averages, supported by personalized strategies for families, and behaviour across the school is commendable, reflecting the school's core values. The early years provision is particularly notable; children build a solid foundation for their education through a well-structured curriculum that emphasizes language development and social skills. While the school excels in various areas, including inclusion and personal development, there are some areas for improvement, particularly in the consistency of teaching quality across subjects. The recent introduction of new curricula aims to elevate standards in English and mathematics, but there are indications of gaps in some pupils' foundational skills, particularly in writing mechanics. Overall, the leadership is effective, continuously monitoring progress and ensuring that all pupils, including those with additional needs, receive the support they require to thrive.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 143 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.35%
Girls: 49.65% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 10.6% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 2.1% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 21.2 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 21.3 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 21 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| 2 | 10 | 14 | 24 |
| 3 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| 4 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 88.1% |
| White, Other | 4.2% |
| Mixed, Other | 2.8% |
| White & Asian | 2.1% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 0.7% |
| Unclassified | 0.7% |
| White & Black (African) | 0.7% |
| Caribbean | 0.7% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Expected standard |
| > Leadership & Governance | Strong standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Strong standard |
| > Achievement | Expected standard |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Strong standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Strong standard |
| > Early Years | Strong standard |
| Last Report Date | 03 Mar 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 03 Mar 2026 | School inspection |
| 22 Sep 2021 | School inspection |
| 30 Jun 2010 | Interim assessment |
| 15 May 2007 | Full inspection |
| 26 Feb 2002 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Strong promotion of attendance and personalised support for families.
- Impeccable behaviour and a strong sense of community among pupils.
- Highly effective early years provision that prepares children well for Year 1.
- Individual support systems for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Leaders maintain robust oversight and drive improvements rapidly.
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils have gaps in basic knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- Inconsistent use of questioning by teachers to check pupils' understanding.
2025 Admissions
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 9 | 1 |
| Third Preference | 2 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 2 | 1 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Maulden Lower School
Church Road, Maulden, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2AU |
1.93 miles |
|
Silsoe CofE VC Lower School
Chestnut Avenue, Silsoe, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4GP |
1.94 miles |
|
Gravenhurst Academy
High Street, Gravenhurst, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HY |
1.95 miles |
|
Campton Academy
Rectory Road, Campton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5PF |
2.41 miles |
|
Haynes Lower School
Foresters Close, Haynes, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3PR |
2.68 miles |
|
Greenfield CofE VC Lower School
Pulloxhill Road, Greenfield, Bedfordshire, MK45 5ES |
2.92 miles |
|
Shefford Lower School
School Lane, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5XA |
3.01 miles |
|
Robert Bloomfield Academy
Bloomfield Drive, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5BU |
3.07 miles |
|
Shillington Lower School
Greenfields, Shillington, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 3NX |
3.07 miles |
|
Meppershall Church of England Academy
107 High Street, Meppershall, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5LZ |
3.15 miles |
|
Russell Lower School
Queens Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2TD |
3.35 miles |
|
Houghton Conquest Lower School
High Street, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3LL |
3.44 miles |
|
The Firs Lower School
Station Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2QR |
3.65 miles |
|
Alameda Middle School
Station Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2QR |
3.66 miles |
|
Kingsmoor Lower School
Kingsmoor Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1EY |
3.68 miles |
|
Orchard School & Nursery
Higham Gobion Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RB |
4.12 miles |
|
Templefield Lower School
Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AJ |
4.13 miles |
|
Flitwick Lower School
Temple Way, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1LU |
4.14 miles |
|
Woodland Middle School Academy
Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 1NP |
4.17 miles |
|
Stondon Lower School
Hillside Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6LQ |
4.41 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Esland Bedford School
Unit 54, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS |
1.56 miles |
|
Redborne Upper School and Community College
Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU |
3.65 miles |
|
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5QS |
4.06 miles |
|
Wixams Academy
Green Lane, Wixams, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 6BA |
4.58 miles |