Broadmead Lower School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 9
Ofsted: Good

Park Crescent, Stewartby, Bedford, MK43 9NNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Broadmead Lower School is a primary school in Bedford for ages 4 to 9. It is one of the 84 schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 June 2023, report published 17 September 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 June 2023

Broadmead Lower School is a positive and welcoming place for pupils. Pupils enjoy the warm, nurturing relationships they have with staff. Pupils' parents recognise how these relationships ensure their children feel happy to come to school. Pupils feel safe in school. Pupils know that if bullying occurs, teachers will act quickly to stop it. Pupils feel confident about going to staff if they have any worries about school or home. Pupils behave well in lessons because they enjoy their learning and want to focus on it. They also behave well around school and at lunchtimes. Pupils are clear about lunchtime routines like tidying up the play equipment and involving pupils who are lonely in their games. Pupils understand how such routines link to the school rules 'be ready, be respectful, be safe'. Pupils feel that the school rules, rewards and sanctions are fair. Pupils enjoy the range of extra-curricular activities available. This includes sports such as athletics, dodgeball, football and street dance. Pupils also appreciate the many visits that staff organise, including residential trips. Pupils particularly enjoyed the recent residential visit as it gave them the opportunity to develop their independence.

What the school should improve

  • Teachers do not use the assessment information they have well enough to move some pupils on quickly enough. This is because they have not had the training to know what to do next once pupils grasp a concept or skill. Leaders need to ensure that teachers are trained to know when to adapt teaching and move pupils on.
  • Governors do not actively request all the information they need from school leaders around behaviour and attendance. Consequently, they rely on school leaders to pinpoint successes and possible issues, as opposed to playing an active role in rigorous evaluation themselves. Governors should ensure they have the training and systems in place to support them in checking, challenging and celebrating all aspects of the school accurately and confidently.

Pupil numbers and mix

228 pupils on roll, with places for 300

Eligible for free school meals19.3%

19.3%, 7.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7%

7%, 14.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.7%

19.7%, 4.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.9%

3.9%, 2.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Broadmead Lower School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Marston Vale Middle School0.3 milesOfsted judgements: Good54% met the expected standard
Houghton Conquest Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Willow Grove Primary School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Wootton Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Marston Moreteyne VC School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 9
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Deborah Cosbie-Ross
Address
Park Crescent, Stewartby, Bedford, MK43 9NN
Local authority
Bedford
URN
109483

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.