SchoolScoresCarlton CofE Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
The Moor, Carlton, Bedford, MK43 7JR
01234 720281 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
41 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bedford comparisons use the 38 of its 66 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 28 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 29th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 10th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 15th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 89% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 35 parents who had raised a concern 29th highest of 35 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 17% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 81% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 14 parents of children with SEND 12th highest of 14 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 12% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 70% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 33rd highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 14% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 43%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bedford figures pool parents at the Bedford schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
12 pupils in this year group.
67% — 10 points above the Bedford average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 92% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 92% | 69% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 111 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bedford. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 6 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 6 |
| Of those, offered a place | 6 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 14 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years Joint 46th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 25% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.5% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 26.3% | 13.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 47th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 35th lowest of 65 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 51% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 49th lowest of 65 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 28% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 16.0% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 29th lowest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 50% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 46th lowest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 37% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 54th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 17% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 17.2 | 21.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 57th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 12% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26.
Nearby primary schools
- Harrold Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Turvey Primary School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lavendon School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pinchmill Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 29% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Carlton CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Carlton CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Carlton CofE Primary School?
76% of the 41 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Carlton CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Carlton CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 6 families put Carlton CofE Primary School as their first choice for 6 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 6 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 109610.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.