Great Ouse Primary Academy

  • Primary
  • Free school
  • Ages 3 to 11
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Seaforth Gardens, Bedford, MK40 4TJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Great Ouse Primary Academy is a primary school in Bedford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 84 schools in Bedford. It ranks 3rd of 52 primary schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in June 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 2 June 2026, report published 9 July 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion
Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching
Expected standard
Achievement
Expected standard
Attendance and behaviour
Strong standard
Personal development and wellbeing
Strong standard
Leadership and governance
Expected standard
Early years
Strong standard
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils feel cared for and valued at this warm, nurturing school. They enjoy attending and speak positively about their experiences. Relationships between pupils and with staff are firmly rooted in mutual respect. Pupils act with kindness, support and thoughtfulness towards one another. These strong relationships extend to staff, whom pupils trust to listen and resolve issues. As a result, pupils feel a deep sense of belonging. They proudly describe the school as ‘one big family’. This encourages pupils to attend regularly. In the playground, pupils cooperate well and organise their own games successfully, taking careful consideration of others. In lessons, they listen to each other’s ideas and work collaboratively to complete tasks. Pupils understand clearly what bullying is. While occasional unkindness occurs, staff address it promptly and effectively, meaning pupils feel safe. From the early years, the curriculum inspires curiosity and encourages pupils to explore topics further. Staff make learning enjoyable, helping pupils remember key knowledge. Pupils achieve well. Carefully planned trips enhance learning across the curriculum. For example, a visit where pupils examined Egyptian artefacts strengthened their knowledge and motivated them to continue learning beyond school. The school includes all pupils in academic and extra-curricular activities. Staff identify and remove barriers so that everyone can participate fully. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well prepared for learning and are helped to access the curriculum successfully. Pupils value the wide range of opportunities available, including sports competitions, trips and residential visits. They take pride in representing their school and demonstrate enthusiasm when engaging in new experiences. Leaders actively promote the school values, which ensure that pupils build confidence, resilience, and independence. As a result, pupils leave the school well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders should ensure that all pupils’ individual targets and adaptations are sharply focused and precise so that pupils with gaps in their foundational knowledge make increased progress.
  • Leaders should ensure a consistently effective approach to teaching and to the quality of work produced across the school.
  • Leaders should refine analysis of disadvantaged pupils' gaps in learning to ensure greater precision and enabling more targeted support for a small group of pupils.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

51 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths67%

67%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths12%

12%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

455 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals18.7%

18.7%, 7.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language32.7%

32.7%, 11.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.2%

13.2%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.7%

3.7%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Great Ouse Primary Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School0.4 milesOfsted: Good44% met the expected standard
Queen's Park Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good61% met the expected standard
Livingstone Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good49% met the expected standard
Edith Cavell Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard
Westfield Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good48% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
MERIDIAN TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Chris Payne
Address
Seaforth Gardens, Bedford, MK40 4TJ
Local authority
Bedford
URN
144746

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.