Riseley CofE Primary School
71%
Capacity
159
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Riseley CofE Primary School
Riseley CofE Primary School is a popular choice among local families, with its most recent admissions data for the 2025/26 intake showing it was oversubscribed. The school received 24 applications for 19 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.26, and all 19 first-preference applicants were offered a spot. This suggests that while the school is in demand, families who put it as their top choice have a strong chance of securing a place. The school is a Church of England primary for children aged 3 to 11, with a current roll of 159 pupils against a capacity of 224, so there is some room for growth. It also offers nursery provision, which can be a practical advantage for families looking for a single-site journey from early years through to the end of primary.
Academically, the school holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2024, with an Outstanding grade for early years provision. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 46% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the local authority average of 57%. However, individual subject scores were stronger: 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, with an average score of 106, and 61% did so in writing. Maths was weaker, with 57% at the expected level and an average score of 103. The proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading was 29%, compared with 18% in maths and just 4% in writing. The school ranks 37th out of 46 primary schools in Bedford on this combined measure, placing it in the bottom half of the local authority.
The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a library, music rooms, a sensory room, a gymnasium, playing fields, a chapel and a Forest School area. Sports provision covers dance, netball, tennis, athletics and swimming, while after-school clubs include eco club, gardening, coding, chess and film club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, and physical disability. With 11.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. It is best suited to families who value a church school environment with strong early years provision and a broad range of extracurricular activities, and who are comfortable with a school that is improving but currently sits below the local average for core academic outcomes.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | High Street, Bedford, Bedford, MK44 1DR |
| Headteacher | Leigh Pointon |
| Local Authority | Bedford |
| Number of Pupils | 159 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 11.3% |
| School Capacity | 159 / 224 (71% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 1 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (46%)
11625th of 13,686
Nationally
1306th of 1,612
In East of England
37th of 46
In Bedford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
46%
Expected Standard
4%
Higher Standard
'22/23
46%
'23/24
46%
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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed19
24
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
19 families put this school as their 1st choice (79% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% 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
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British86.8%
- Mixed6.9%
- White (other)4.4%
- Asian0.6%
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.
75% 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.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
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 Riseley CofE 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
Bedford, MK44 1DR
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