Located in Shefford, Shefford Lower School is a primary school, serving pupils aged 3 to 9. The school is a community school 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.
Shefford Lower School currently has around 518 pupils on roll, which is about 115% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.4% boys and 48.6% girls. Around 11.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 4.8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 11.4%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 9 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (86.9%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | School Lane, Shefford, SG17 5XA |
| Website: | www.sheffordlowerschool.co.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01462629123 |
| School Type: | Community school |
| Education phase: | Primary |
| Local authority: | Central Bedfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Polly Ross |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Not applicable |
| Unique reference: | 109479 |
Ofsted inspection date: 22/11/2017
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 3 - 9 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 450 |
| Number of Pupils: | 518 |
| Number of Boys: | 266 |
| Number of Girls: | 252 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 4.8% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 11.4% | 8.2% |
| White British | 86.90% | 450 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 2.30% | 12 |
| Other White | 1.90% | 10 |
| Other Mixed | 1.90% | 10 |
| White and Asian | 1.40% | 7 |
| African | 1.20% | 6 |
| Other Asian | 0.80% | 4 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.80% | 4 |
| White and Black African | 0.80% | 4 |
| Indian | 0.60% | 3 |
| Pakistani | 0.40% | 2 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.40% | 2 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 1 |
| Chinese | 0.20% | 1 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.20% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.20% | 1 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Unclassified | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shefford Lower School School Lane , SG17 5XA | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Campton Academy Rectory Road , Campton SG17 5PF | 3out of 4 | 1,210 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Campton Lower School Rectory Road , Campton SG17 5PF | - not rated | 1,210 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Meppershall Church of England Academy 107 High Street , Meppershall SG17 5LZ | 3out of 4 | 2,732 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Meppershall Church of England Academy 107 High Street , Meppershall SG17 5LZ | - not rated | 2,752 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Whitbread Academy Shefford Road , Clifton SG17 5QS | 3out of 4 | 1,844 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Samuel Whitbread Community College Shefford Road , Clifton SG17 5QS | - not rated | 1,844 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Bloomfield Academy Bloomfield Drive , SG17 5BU | - not rated | 110 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield Drive , SG17 5BU | - not rated | 110 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lodge School Ampthill Road , Campton SG17 5BH | - not rated | 686 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.