Brickhill Primary School

About Brickhill Primary School

Brickhill Primary School in Bedford is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 5 to 11, and it is running very close to full capacity. With 208 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is effectively full, and the demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 75 applications for just 30 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.5 to one. Of those applicants, 34 put Brickhill as their first preference, and 29 first-preference offers were made, meaning not every family who wanted a place got one. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 17.8%, which is above the national average for primary schools and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. This is a school that is clearly popular locally and operating at the limit of its physical capacity, so families considering it should be prepared for a competitive admissions process.

Academically, Brickhill performs solidly above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 66% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Bedford LA average of 57%. That places the school 14th out of 46 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the top third locally. In reading, the average scaled score was 107, with 79% reaching the expected standard and 28% achieving a higher standard. Maths saw an average score of 104, with 76% at expected and 21% at the higher level. Writing was slightly lower, with 72% at expected and 14% at the higher level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in February 2024, confirmed it remains Good overall, with leadership and management, early years provision, and the quality of education all rated Good. Its previous graded inspection in 2014 also rated it Good, so the school has maintained a consistent standard over time.

The school offers a good range of facilities for a primary of its size, including a sports hall, dining hall, forest school area, outdoor playground, and even a chapel. Sports on offer include football, cricket, dance, athletics, tennis, gymnastics and cross country, and there is a healthy selection of clubs such as drama, choir, chess, film club, coding and art club. For families with children who have additional needs, Brickhill has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social and emotional mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, so it is purely for primary-age children. Given its strong local reputation, above-average results, and high demand for places, Brickhill is a good fit for families living within its catchment area who want a well-regarded community primary with a broad extracurricular offer and a clear track record of Good Ofsted outcomes.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Brickhill Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents