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Shackleton Primary School Catchment Area

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

Shackleton Primary School is an academy converter primary school in Bedford , serving pupils aged 4-11, with 465 pupils, and a capacity of 540 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

4-11

Age range

465

Pupils

540

Capacity

86%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2021

Shackleton Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Shackleton Primary School?

The catchment area for Shackleton 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.

As an academy, Shackleton Primary School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Bedford. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

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 →

Shackleton Primary School: 540 places, 86% filled: places available

Shackleton Primary School has a published admission number of 540 places. 465 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 86%. At 86% full, the school currently has headroom below its 540 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. 35.9% of pupils at Shackleton 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 →

Shackleton Primary School: School Information

Full address
Pearcey Road, Bedford, MK42 9LZ
Local authority
Bedford
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-11 years
Free school meals
35.9% of pupils
DfE URN
144545

Other Primary Schools in Bedford

If Shackleton 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 Shackleton 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: Shackleton Primary School

What is the catchment area for Shackleton Primary School?

The catchment area for Shackleton 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 Shackleton Primary School oversubscribed?

Shackleton Primary School has a capacity of 540 places and currently has 465 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Bedford.

What is the admissions policy for Shackleton Primary School?

Admission to Shackleton 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 Shackleton Primary School cover?

Shackleton Primary School is a primary school in Bedford, serving pupils aged 4-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Shackleton Primary School?

Shackleton Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2021. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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