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catchment.school

Houghton Conquest Lower School Catchment Area

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

Houghton Conquest Lower School is a community primary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 2-9, with 142 pupils, and a capacity of 144 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

2-9

Age range

142

Pupils

144

Capacity

99%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Houghton Conquest Lower School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Houghton Conquest Lower School?

The catchment area for Houghton Conquest Lower School is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire 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 Houghton Conquest Lower School is set by Central Bedfordshire and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Operating near capacity: 99% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Houghton Conquest Lower School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

Houghton Conquest Lower School: 144 places, 99% filled: nearing capacity

Houghton Conquest Lower School has a published admission number of 144 places. 142 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 99%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 144, Central Bedfordshire's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 22.3% of pupils at Houghton Conquest Lower School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Central Bedfordshire.

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

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

Houghton Conquest Lower School: School Information

Full address
High Street, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3LL
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
2-9 years
Free school meals
22.3% of pupils
DfE URN
109458

Other Primary Schools in Bedford

If Houghton Conquest Lower 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 Houghton Conquest Lower 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: Houghton Conquest Lower School

What is the catchment area for Houghton Conquest Lower School?

The catchment area for Houghton Conquest Lower School is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Houghton Conquest Lower School oversubscribed?

Houghton Conquest Lower School is operating close to its capacity of 144 places (99% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Houghton Conquest Lower School?

Admission to Houghton Conquest Lower School is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Houghton Conquest Lower School cover?

Houghton Conquest Lower School is a primary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 2-9. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Houghton Conquest Lower School?

Houghton Conquest Lower School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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