St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School
62%
Capacity
328
Pupils
1.7x
Demand
About St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Bedford community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 328 pupils on roll, operating at 62% capacity.
Ofsted has rated St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gemma Otter, it falls under Bedford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 35% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12987th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 46th out of 46 in Bedford.
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School is a popular choice with families — it received 45 applications for 26 places, making it 1.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 25 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School include Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Athletics, Football, Cricket and 3 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Film Club, Choir.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 30.6%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bedford, St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-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 | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Biddenham Turn, Bedford, Bedford, MK40 4AT |
| Headteacher | Gemma Otter |
| Local Authority | Bedford |
| Number of Pupils | 328 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.6% |
| School Capacity | 328 / 525 (62% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (35%)
12987th of 13,686
Nationally
1491st of 1,612
In East of England
46th of 46
In Bedford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
35%
Expected Standard
2%
Higher Standard
'22/23
45%
'23/24
35%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed26
45
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
25 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-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
Biddenham Turn, Bedford
Bedford, MK40 4AT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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