John Donne Church of England Primary School
58%
Capacity
121
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About John Donne Church of England Primary School
John Donne Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Central Bedfordshire community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 121 pupils on roll, operating at 58% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated John Donne Church of England Primary School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Anita Whitehurst, it falls under Central Bedfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 42% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12277th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 27th out of 34 in Central Bedfordshire.
John Donne Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 17 applications for 11 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 11 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at John Donne Church of England Primary School include Sensory Room, Sports Hall, Outdoor Playground, Forest School, Playing Fields, Library, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Netball, Football, Cross Country and 3 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Book Club, Drama.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.0%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Central Bedfordshire, John Donne Church of England Primary School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | High Street, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL |
| Headteacher | Anita Whitehurst |
| Local Authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 121 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.0% |
| School Capacity | 121 / 208 (58% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 25 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (42%)
12277th of 13,686
Nationally
1388th of 1,612
In East of England
27th of 34
In Central Bedfordshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
42%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
50%
'23/24
42%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed11
17
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
11 families put this school as their 1st choice (65% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Donne Church of England Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
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
High Street, Bedford
Central Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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