Flitwick Lower School
91%
Capacity
318
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Flitwick Lower School
Flitwick Lower School was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, a significant improvement from its previous rating of Requires Improvement. The school has held this Good rating across both its ungraded inspection in 2023 and the graded inspection that preceded it, with leadership and management also judged to be Good. For a school that serves children from age 2 to 9, the most telling academic metric is Key Stage 2 performance. Flitwick’s pupils achieve above the local authority average of 54, placing the school among the stronger performers in Central Bedfordshire. While it doesn’t reach the heights of the top-ranked Lark Rise Academy, it sits comfortably within the upper tier of the 95 primary schools in the area, outperforming many of its peers.
The school’s academic story is backed by solid outcomes across the board. With 318 pupils on roll against a capacity of 350, Flitwick is well-subscribed but not overcrowded. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 8.9%, below the national average, which often correlates with higher attainment. The school offers a broad curriculum supported by facilities including a library, ICT suite, art studios, and a forest school area. Sports provision is varied, with swimming, gymnastics, dance, and athletics on offer, alongside clubs such as choir, coding, and gardening. The school also has a sensory room and a chapel, the latter an unusual feature for a non-religious school. For children with additional needs, the school provides for a wide range of conditions including dyslexia, autism, speech and language difficulties, and hearing impairment.
Flitwick Lower School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 95 applications for 59 places, with 57 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.61 tells you demand outstrips supply, so parents need to be prepared to apply early. The school suits families who want a strong academic foundation without the pressure of a selective environment, and who value outdoor learning and creative subjects alongside core academics. The nursery provision means children can start from age 2, making it a convenient option for working parents. With its Good rating, above-average KS2 results, and broad range of facilities and clubs, Flitwick Lower School offers a well-supported start to primary education in a setting that has clearly found its stride.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Temple Way, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, MK45 1LU |
| Headteacher | Joanna New |
| Local Authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 318 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 8.9% |
| School Capacity | 318 / 350 (91% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Apr 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (26 Apr 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 4 Feb 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed59
95
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
57 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British85.5%
- White (other)6.0%
- Mixed5.3%
- Asian0.9%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
4
Total schools
3
Oversubscribed
3
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flitwick Lower School
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Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Temple Way, Bedford
Central Bedfordshire, MK45 1LU
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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