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catchment.school

Balliol Primary School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Balliol Primary School is a community primary school in Bedford , serving pupils aged 2-11, with 384 pupils, and a capacity of 440 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

2-11

Age range

384

Pupils

440

Capacity

87%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Balliol Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Balliol Primary School?

The catchment area for Balliol Primary School is the geographic zone Bedford uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for Balliol Primary School is set by Bedford and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Bedford before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Bedford catchment area documents →

Balliol Primary School: 440 places, 87% filled: places available

Balliol Primary School has a published admission number of 440 places. 384 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 87%. At 87% full, the school currently has headroom below its 440 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 33.1% of pupils at Balliol Primary School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Bedford.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Bedford publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Bedford school admissions →

Balliol Primary School: School Information

Full address
Balliol Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7ER
Local authority
Bedford
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
2-11 years
Free school meals
33.1% of pupils
DfE URN
109464

Other Primary Schools in Bedford

If Balliol Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Bedford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Balliol Primary School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Balliol Primary School

What is the catchment area for Balliol Primary School?

The catchment area for Balliol Primary School is the geographic zone Bedford uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Balliol Primary School oversubscribed?

Balliol Primary School has a capacity of 440 places and currently has 384 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Bedford.

What is the admissions policy for Balliol Primary School?

Admission to Balliol Primary School is managed by Bedford. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Balliol Primary School cover?

Balliol Primary School is a primary school in Bedford, serving pupils aged 2-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Balliol Primary School?

Balliol Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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