Classpot

Balliol Primary School

Bedford, MK42 7ERPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jul 2022
KS2 Results
52%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
26 1st-choice / 27 places
Ranking
#10,154
of 13,686 nationally

About Balliol Primary School

Balliol Primary School is a popular choice among Bedford families, with 26 out of 27 places offered to first-preference applicants in the 2025/26 admissions round. The school received 71 applications in total, giving it an oversubscription ratio of 2.63, meaning nearly three families applied for every available spot. This level of demand suggests strong local confidence in the school, though it’s worth noting that official parent-view data is not available in the current inspection report to confirm satisfaction levels directly. The school is a state-funded primary for children aged 2 to 11, with a current roll of 384 pupils against a capacity of 440, so there is some room for growth. Headteacher Louise Youngman leads a mixed, non-religious school where 33.1% of pupils qualify for free school meals, reflecting a diverse intake.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressBalliol Road, Bedford, Bedford, MK42 7ER
HeadteacherLouise Youngman
Local AuthorityBedford
Number of Pupils384
Free School Meals (FSM)33.1%
School Capacity384 / 440 (87% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

12 Jul 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 27 Sept 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
LibraryPlaying FieldsSports HallGymnasiumSensory RoomChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

13

Sports

NetballFootballRoundersCross CountryCricketSwimmingGymnastics

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubGardeningArt ClubCodingFilm ClubChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

DyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Balliol Primary School

Balliol Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.