St Michael's Church of England Combined School

St Michael's Church of England Combined School continues to perform well, maintaining its status as a good school. The nurturing and inclusive environment fosters high expectations and aspirations among pupils, who exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and demonstrate respect for one another. The school implements a well-balanced curriculum that supports students' academic and personal development, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and experiential learning opportunities. Notably, pupils feel safe and supported, which contributes to their overall success and high achievement levels. However, there are areas identified for improvement, particularly regarding the precision of assessments in some foundation subjects, which may hinder the quick identification of gaps in knowledge. The school is aware of these challenges and is working to enhance their assessment processes to ensure that all students can achieve their fullest potential.

Strengths

• Supportive and nurturing environment
• Well-planned and ambitious curriculum
• High-quality teaching and subject knowledge
• Vibrant approach to reading and phonics
• Positive relationships among pupils
• Effective support for pupils with SEND
• Strong emphasis on personal and social development
• Engagement with parents and community

Areas for Improvement

• Less precise assessment approaches in some foundation subjects

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 Michael's Church of England Combined School attended 96.5% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 5.0% 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, 0.0% of pupils at St Michael's Church of England Combined 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 St Michael's Church of England Combined School had 23.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.4% 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, 18.7% of pupils at St Michael's Church of England Combined School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 1.5% 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 St Michael's Church of England Combined School received £6,576 and spent £6,680 for each of its 203 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £127,000 (£626 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 Leighton Buzzard · Buckinghamshire local authority: places and applications

What is St Michael's Church of England Combined School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for St Michael's Church of England Combined School is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was St Michael's Church of England Combined School last inspected by Ofsted?

St Michael's Church of England Combined School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does St Michael's Church of England Combined School have?

St Michael's Church of England Combined School has 203 pupils on roll.

What age range does St Michael's Church of England Combined School cover?

St Michael's Church of England Combined School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are St Michael's Church of England Combined School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 33% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is St Michael's Church of England Combined School?

St Michael's Church of England Combined School is at Chapel Square, Stewkley, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 0HA.