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John Donne Church of England Primary School Catchment Area

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

John Donne Church of England Primary School is a voluntary aided primary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 121 pupils, and a capacity of 208 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

3-11

Age range

121

Pupils

208

Capacity

58%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

John Donne Church of England Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for John Donne Church of England Primary School?

The catchment area for John Donne Church of England Primary 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, in most years, faith-based criteria. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Admission to John Donne Church of England Primary School is managed by Central Bedfordshire and typically includes both faith criteria and catchment area proximity. The weighting given to each criterion depends on the school's published oversubscription policy, which is reviewed annually.

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 →

John Donne Church of England Primary School: 208 places, 58% filled: places available

John Donne Church of England Primary School has a published admission number of 208 places. 121 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 58%. At 58% full, the school currently has headroom below its 208 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. 17% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bedford.

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 →

John Donne Church of England Primary School: School Information

Full address
High Street, Blunham, Bedford, MK44 3NL
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Voluntary aided school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Religious character
Church of England
Free school meals
17% of pupils
DfE URN
109615

Other Primary Schools in Bedford

If John Donne Church of England Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Bedford are the next closest alternatives.

Other Church of England Schools in Central Bedfordshire

John Donne Church of England Primary School shares its religious character with these Church of England schools across Central Bedfordshire. Faith criteria typically sit alongside catchment distance in each school's admissions policy.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to John Donne Church of England 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: John Donne Church of England Primary School

What is the catchment area for John Donne Church of England Primary School?

The catchment area for John Donne Church of England Primary 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, in most years, faith-based criteria. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is John Donne Church of England Primary School oversubscribed?

John Donne Church of England Primary School has a capacity of 208 places and currently has 121 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Central Bedfordshire.

What is the admissions policy for John Donne Church of England Primary School?

John Donne Church of England Primary School uses both faith criteria and catchment area proximity in its admissions policy. The weighting is reviewed annually and published by Central Bedfordshire before each admissions cycle.

What age range does John Donne Church of England Primary School cover?

John Donne Church of England Primary School is a primary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for John Donne Church of England Primary School?

John Donne Church of England Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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