Lark Rise Academy is a primary school in Dunstable, serving pupils aged 3 to 11. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Lark Rise Academy currently has around 359 pupils on roll, which is about 100% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.5% boys and 51.5% girls. Around 5.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 3.9%. Persistent absence is recorded at 5.5%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (63%). other white pupils make up about 14.2%

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: Cartmel Drive, Dunstable, LU6 3PT
Website: www.larkrise.com
Telephone: 01582607852
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: Central Bedfordshire
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Romina Lang
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 136345

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 11/03/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 3 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 360
Number of Pupils: 359
Number of Boys: 174
Number of Girls: 185

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 3.9% 4%
Persistent absence: 5.5% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British63.00%226
Other White14.20%51
White and Black Caribbean3.60%13
White and Asian3.30%12
African3.10%11
Indian3.10%11
Other Asian2.80%10
Other Mixed2.20%8
Pakistani1.70%6
White and Black African0.80%3
Chinese0.80%3
Bangladeshi0.60%2
Caribbean0.60%2
Irish0.30%1
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0
Other (any other ethnic group)0.00%0
Unclassified0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Average (1.5)
Writing: Average (-1.1)
Maths: Above Average (2.2)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
73%
Town average
55%
Local authority average
55%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
11%
Town average
5%
Local authority average
7%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
108.0
Town average
104.9
Local authority average
104.7
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
107.0
Town average
103.6
Local authority average
103.6
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Westfield Nursery School
Westfield Road , LU6 1DL
3out of 4 1,880 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Willow Nursery School
Goldstone Crescent , LU5 4QU
3out of 4 2,795 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Lark Rise Lower School
Cartmel Drive , LU6 3PT
- not rated 0 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Lark Rise Academy
Cartmel Drive , LU6 3PT
- not rated 0 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Ardley Hill Lower School
Lowther Road , LU6 3NZ
- not rated 773 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Ardley Hill Academy
Lowther Road , LU6 3NZ
3out of 4 773 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Watling Lower School
Bull Pond Lane , LU6 3BJ
- not rated 805 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Queensbury Academy
Langdale Road , LU6 3BU
- not rated 399 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Queensbury Upper School
Langdale Road , LU6 3BU
- not rated 399 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
Manshead Church of England Academy
Dunstable Road , Caddington LU1 4BB
3out of 4 2,221 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Manshead School
Dunstable Road , Caddington LU1 4BB
- not rated 2,221 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
All Saints Academy Dunstable
Houghton Road , LU5 5AB
- not rated 2,555 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Middle deemed secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Priory Middle School
Britain Street , LU5 4JA
- not rated 1,399 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Ashton CofE VA Middle School
High Street North , LU6 1NH
- not rated 1,737 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Streetfield Middle School
Dunstable Road , Caddington LU1 4BB
- not rated 2,178 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Brewers Hill Middle School
Aldbanks , LU6 1AJ
- not rated 2,272 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Mill Vale School
Wilbury Drive , LU5 4QP
- not rated 2,974 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Central Bedfordshire College
Kingsway , LU5 4HG
- not rated 1,975 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

All-through

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Priory Academy
Priory Academy, Britain Street , LU5 4JA
3out of 4 1,399 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Pilgrim Christian School
West Street Christian Centre , West Street LU6 1SX
- not rated 1,359 yd Other independent school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
St George's School
28 Priory Road , LU5 4HR
- not rated 1,502 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Weatherfield School
Brewers Hill Road , LU6 1AF
- not rated 1,988 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Weatherfield Academy
Brewers Hill Road , LU6 1AF
- not rated 1,988 yd Academy special converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Stannard School
Ridgeway Avenue , LU5 4QL
- not rated 2,526 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.