Shefford Lower School
School Lane, Shefford, SG17 5XAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Shefford Lower School is a primary school in Shefford for ages 3 to 9. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 22 November 2017, report published 15 December 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 May 2023
Pupils enjoy coming to school to learn and play. The strong focus on values underpins all areas of school life. Pupils are eager to show these values, such as cooperation and sharing, whenever they can. The FLOURISH approach (friendly, learning, open, understanding, relational, independent, safe and happy) encourages everyone to look after one another. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. They know that there are adults who will help them if they have any worries. Pupils enjoy their learning because teachers are knowledgeable and make lessons interesting. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They understand and respond well to adults' high expectations. Pupils enjoy various enrichment experiences, through, for example, the museum, art gallery and immersive room. There are many clubs available, including for sports, music and the arts. Pupils contribute well to school life. They participate as school parliament members, play leaders, museum curators and reading buddies. These experiences help to prepare pupils for the next stage of their education. Parents and carers are supportive of the school. One who summed up the views of many commented, 'a wonderful school where both my children have thrived'.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, staff do not always give pupils precise information on how to improve their work. This means that pupils' learning is not always so well supported in these subjects. Leaders should implement their plans to strengthen the use of assessment and feedback in these subjects.
- The school is growing to provide for pupils from Nursery up to Year 6. Leaders have appropriate plans to prepare everyone for these changes. They should continue with their planned work for this development. This includes extending and refining the existing curriculum, so that it continues to build on pupils' learning from the end of Year 4 through to the end of Year 6.
Pupil numbers and mix
514 pupils on roll, with places for 450
Schools near Shefford Lower School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Bloomfield Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 42% met the expected standard |
| Campton Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Meppershall Church of England Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 30% met the expected standard |
| Clifton All Saints Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Southill Lower School | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Polly Ross
- Phone
- 01462629123
- Address
- School Lane, Shefford, SG17 5XA
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 109479
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.