SchoolScoresMilton Ernest CofE Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Thurleigh Road, Milton Ernest, High Street, Upper Dean, Bedford, MK44 1RF
01234 822079 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 November 2012.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 17 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
11 pupils in this year group.
55% — 2 points below the Bedford average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 55% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 64% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 55% | 69% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 82% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 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 | 5 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 5 |
| Of those, offered a place | 5 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 17 |
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 56th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 16% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.5% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 60th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 18th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 61% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.9% | 13.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 59th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 49th lowest of 65 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 37% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 51st lowest of 65 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 25% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 16.7% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 61st highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 6% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 14.1 | 21.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 59th highest of 66 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 11% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.1 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 20th highest of 57 state primary schools in Bedford. Higher than 63% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 16.4% | 14.8%* | 14.4%* |
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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Oakley Primary Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pinchmill Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 29% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ursula Taylor CofE School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Thurleigh Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sharnbrook Primary 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Milton Ernest CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Milton Ernest CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 November 2012. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 17 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Milton Ernest CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 7 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Milton Ernest CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 5 families put Milton Ernest CofE Primary School as their first choice for 5 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 5 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 109613.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.