Most sought-after schools in Central Bedfordshire
Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.
This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.
This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.
| # | School | First preferences per place | Newest intake | Latest Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ashton St Peter's VA C of E School Dunstable, primary |
1.73 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 2 |
Heathwood Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
1.60 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 3 |
Lark Rise Academy Dunstable, primary |
1.55 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 4 |
Sutton CofE VA Primary School Sutton, primary |
1.43 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 5 |
Gravenhurst Academy Bedford, primary |
1.40 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 6 |
Clifton All Saints Academy Near Shefford, primary |
1.33 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 7 |
Stanbridge Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
1.33 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 8 |
Pulford CofE VA Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
1.32 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 9 |
Houghton Regis Primary School Dunstable, primary |
1.27 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 10 |
Southill Lower School Biggleswade, primary |
1.27 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 11 |
Raynsford Church of England Academy Henlow, primary |
1.24 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 12 |
Linslade Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
1.23 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 13 |
Russell Lower School Ampthill, primary |
1.22 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 14 |
Beecroft Academy Dunstable, primary |
1.20 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 15 |
Langford Village Academy Biggleswade, primary |
1.16 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 16 |
St Andrew's CofE VC Primary School Biggleswade, primary |
1.16 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 17 |
Vandyke Upper School Leighton Buzzard, secondary |
1.15 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 18 |
Swallowfield Primary Milton Keynes, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 19 |
Haynes Lower School Bedford, primary |
1.11 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 20 |
Fairfield Park Lower School Fairfield Park, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 21 |
Cranfield Church of England Academy Bedford, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 22 |
Redborne Upper School and Community College Bedford, secondary |
1.07 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 23 |
Beaudesert Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
1.05 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 24 |
Potton Primary School Sandy, primary |
1.05 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 25 |
Sandy Secondary School Sandy, secondary |
1.04 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 26 |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Luton, primary |
1.04 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 27 |
Ramsey Manor Lower School Bedford, primary |
1.02 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 28 |
Samuel Whitbread Academy Shefford, secondary |
1.02 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 29 |
Chalton Lower School Luton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 30 |
Dunton CofE Junior School Biggleswade, primary |
1.00 | 2023 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 31 |
Everton Heath Primary School Nr Sandy, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 32 |
Harlington Lower School Dunstable, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 33 |
Houghton Conquest Primary School Bedford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 34 |
John Donne Church of England Primary School Bedford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 35 |
Kensworth Church of England Academy Dunstable, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 36 |
Kingsmoor Lower School Bedford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 37 |
Maple Tree Primary School Sandy, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 38 |
Meppershall Church of England Academy Shefford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 39 |
Moggerhanger Primary School Bedford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 40 |
Robert Peel Primary School Sandy, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 41 |
St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School Sandy, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 42 |
Westoning Lower School Bedford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 43 |
Woburn Lower School Woburn, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 44 |
Templefield Lower School Bedford, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 45 |
Toddington St George Church of England School Dunstable, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 46 |
Flitwick Lower School Bedford, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 47 |
Hadrian Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 48 |
Silsoe CofE VC Lower School Bedford, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 49 |
St Christophers Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 50 |
The Rushmere Park Academy Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 51 |
Eaton Bray Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 52 |
Roecroft Lower School Hitchin, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 53 |
St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Dunstable, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 54 |
Totternhoe Church of England Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 55 |
Wrestlingworth CofE Infant School Sandy, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 56 |
Shillington Lower School Hitchin, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 57 |
St Mary's VA CofE Lower School Clophill, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 58 |
Stratton School Biggleswade, secondary |
0.95 | 2024 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 59 |
The Vale Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 60 |
Lidlington Primary School Bedford, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 61 | Lime Tree Primary Academy | 0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 62 |
Marston Moreteyne VC School Marston Moreteyne, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 63 |
Shefford Lower School Shefford, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 64 |
Greenfield CofE VC Lower School Greenfield, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 65 |
Derwent Primary School Henlow, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 66 |
Eversholt Lower School Milton Keynes, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 67 |
Gothic Mede Academy Arlesey, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 68 |
Studham Village CofE Academy Studham, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 69 |
The Firs Lower School Bedford, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 70 |
The Mary Bassett Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 71 |
Caldecote Church of England Academy Biggleswade, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 72 |
Campton Academy Shefford, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 73 |
Harlington Upper School Dunstable, secondary |
0.91 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 74 |
Thornhill Primary School Dunstable, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 75 |
Ardley Hill Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 76 |
Dovery Academy Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 77 |
Sundon Lower School Luton, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 78 |
St Mary's CofE Academy Stotfold Hitchin, primary |
0.89 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 79 |
Stondon Lower School Henlow, primary |
0.89 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 80 |
Maulden Lower School Bedford, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 81 |
St. Augustine's Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 82 |
Tithe Farm Primary School Dunstable, primary |
0.87 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 83 |
Caddington Village School Luton, primary |
0.84 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 84 |
Clipstone Brook Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 85 |
Slip End Village School Luton, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 86 |
Southcott Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.82 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 87 |
Cedars Upper School Leighton Buzzard, secondary |
0.80 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 88 |
Lancot School Dunstable, primary |
0.76 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 89 |
Greenleas School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.75 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 90 |
Leedon Lower School Leighton Buzzard, primary |
0.67 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 91 |
Lawnside Academy Biggleswade, primary |
0.64 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 92 |
Biggleswade Academy Biggleswade, primary |
0.63 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 93 |
Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy Dunstable, primary |
0.59 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 94 |
Manshead Church of England Academy Luton, secondary |
0.55 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 94 schools in Central Bedfordshire have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Central Bedfordshire · How we compare schools.