John Donne Church of England Primary School

Primary
Local authority maintained
Ages 3 to 11

Ofsted: Requires improvement

High Street, Blunham, Bedford, MK44 3NLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

John Donne Church of England Primary School is a primary school in Bedford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 52nd of 52 primary schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Requires improvement, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 November 2023, report published 25 January 2024

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

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

17 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths29%

29%, 33 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score102

102, 4 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

119 pupils on roll, with places for 208

Eligible for free school meals16%

16%, 10.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5%

5%, 16.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.3%

19.3%, 4.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.7%

1.7%, 4.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near John Donne Church of England Primary School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Maple Tree Primary School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	71% met the expected standard
Moggerhanger Primary School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	62% met the expected standard
Laburnum Primary School	2 miles	Report card: Expected standard	63% met the expected standard
Robert Peel Primary School	2 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	57% met the expected standard
Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	0% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Voluntary aided school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 3 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Religious character: Church of England
Nursery classes: Yes
Headteacher: Mrs Anita Whitehurst
Phone: 01767640346
Website: johndonne.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: High Street, Blunham, Bedford, MK44 3NL
Local authority: Central Bedfordshire
URN: 109615

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.