Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy
Dunstable, LU5 5HH · Central Bedfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
34th of 36 primary schools in Central Bedfordshire we can score, 95 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.7/10 against 1,808 of them, against 0.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 39.0 · 8 | 62% | 0.46 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 38% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 206 pupils against a stated capacity of 352. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific activities are available during the after-school club? How does the school monitor progress for pupils who have not reached the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy
Overview
Pupils at Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy are described as “welcoming, kind” and enjoy their learning within a supportive environment. The school has shown sustained commitment to raising educational quality, with leaders having “calmly and carefully navigated the journey to secure improvements” following a period of turbulence.
Strengths
- A “well-established curriculum” has elevated expectations, with “encouraging signs that pupils are benefitting” from recent changes.
- Reading is a “prominent and well-developed aspect of the curriculum,” supported by a “clear, systematic approach to phonics teaching.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported,” with teachers routinely adapting work and setting regular targets.
- The early years provision is “ambitious and understood by staff,” with clear routines ensuring children are supported to thrive.
- Behaviour is positive, with “poor behaviour [being] rare” and significant improvements in attendance noted.
Areas to improve
- Assessment information is not always used effectively in some subjects to identify misconceptions, impacting pupil outcomes.
- In some subjects, the school has not clearly identified the key knowledge pupils need to learn or the order in which it is taught.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 41% |
| 2023/24 | 27% |
| 2024/25 | 39% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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