John Donne Church of England Primary School
Primary · Voluntary aided school · Ages 3–11 · Bedford, Central Bedfordshire
John Donne Church of England Primary School is a primary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire for ages 3–11 (voluntary aided school). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Requires improvement, from the inspection on 28 November 2023.
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Key facts
- Address
- High Street, Blunham, Bedford, MK44 3NL
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 3–11
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- Pupils on roll
- 119 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 16% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 16.1
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
Requires improvement Inspected 28 November 2023
Strengths
- “They feel safe, cared for and valued.”
- “They are part of a harmonious community where staff know them well and provide effective support.”
- “Children in the early years get off to a positive start, settling quickly into routines and developing confidence as they learn in a well-designed and imaginative environment.”
To improve
- “Older pupils did not benefit from the quality of the curriculum now in place when they started school.”
- “Consequently, some have gaps in their foundational knowledge in English and mathematics.”
- “Leaders have rightly prioritised improvements in mathematics teaching following weaker outcomes.”
Safeguarding: met
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 16 September 2026 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Key stage 2 · reading, writing and maths, expected standard (2024/25) | 29% | 62% |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Reception entry: 14 first-preference applications, 15 offers in total, 14 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
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Nearby primary schools
Straight-line distance, in Central Bedfordshire.
- Maple Tree Primary School 1.0 mi School remains Good
- Moggerhanger Primary School 1.3 mi School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next
- Laburnum Primary School 1.5 mi No Ofsted grade
- Robert Peel Primary School 1.6 mi Not judged
- St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School 2.0 mi School remains Good
- Northill CofE Academy 2.9 mi Standards maintained
- Everton Heath Primary School 3.2 mi Good
- Caldecote Church of England Academy 3.6 mi Good