St. Augustine's Academy

About St. Augustine's Academy

St. Augustine’s Academy is a Church of England primary in Central Bedfordshire that currently teaches 176 pupils, just shy of its 189-place capacity. The school serves a community with above-average economic need: 35.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national primary average of around 24%. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 39 applications for 24 places, with 21 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.63 suggests a school that local families are actively choosing, even if it isn’t the most selective or highest-performing in the area. The intake is mixed, and the school’s religious character may appeal to families looking for a values-led setting, though the data doesn’t indicate any faith-based admissions criteria. With a headteacher in place since at least the most recent Ofsted inspection, the school feels settled and well-subscribed.

Academically, St. Augustine’s sits in the middle of the pack locally. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 54% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — exactly matching the Central Bedfordshire average. That places the school 19th out of 34 primaries in the local authority, and in the bottom half nationally by this metric. However, the picture is more nuanced when you look at individual subjects: 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, and 69% in writing, while maths lagged at 62%. At the higher standard, reading stood out with 23% achieving greater depth, against just 8% across all three subjects. Progress scores aren’t available in the data, so it’s hard to say how much value the school adds, but the reading results suggest a strength in literacy. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2018, rated overall effectiveness as Good, and an ungraded visit in 2024 confirmed it remains Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including art studios, music rooms, an ICT suite and a chapel, plus sports like athletics, football, gymnastics and rounders. Clubs include choir, book club and coding. For children with additional needs, the school lists provisions for dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder — a broad offer that suggests a genuinely inclusive approach. There’s no nursery or sixth form, so it’s strictly a 4–11 primary. Families considering St. Augustine’s should be aware that it is oversubscribed, so applying as a first preference is advisable. It’s a good fit for parents who want a church school with a diverse intake, solid but not exceptional results, and a clear focus on reading and pastoral support. The nearest Outstanding-rated school, Lark Rise Academy, is 1.7 km away, so it’s worth comparing if results are your priority.

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