Classpot

Cotton End Forest School

Bedford, MK45 3AGPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
May 2025
KS2 Results
77%
meeting expected standard in RWM
First choices / offers
0.9×
First choices did not exceed offers made
48 1st-choice / 51 offers made
Ranking
#8,075
of 13,686 nationally

About Cotton End Forest School

Cotton End Forest School is a state-funded primary school in Bedford, East of England, for pupils aged 2 to 11 for boys and girls. DfE data records 435 pupils on roll and a published capacity of 630.

The latest recorded Ofsted overall judgement is Good (20 May 2025). 77% met the expected KS2 standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25. admissions data records 48 first-preference applications and 51 offers made on national offer day for 2026/27.

Figures can refer to different reporting periods. Check the date and source shown beside each section. How Classpot uses school data.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
AddressHigh Road, Cotton End, Bedford, Bedford, MK45 3AG
HeadteacherMrs Karen Headland
Local AuthorityBedford
Number of Pupils435
Free School Meals (FSM)17.7%
School Capacity435 / 630 (69% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

What 106 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

20 May 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

State-funded school inspections stopped receiving a single overall grade from September 2024. Renewed inspections from November 2025 use report cards with separate five-point grades that are not directly comparable with the old scale.

Source: Ofsted, 29 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Published SEND Data

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education. Confirm current provision with the school's SENCO.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

09:00 – 15:30

Source: cottonendforestschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cotton End Forest School

Cotton End Forest School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This is the overall judgement recorded under the inspection framework in use on the inspection date. Read the report and date before comparing it with newer inspections.