Cotton End Forest School vs Shortstown Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in East of England, England, 2.0 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Cotton End Forest School
Bedford · Local authority primary · Ages 2–11
435 students
Shortstown Primary School
Bedford · Academy primary · Ages 2–11
479 students
| Measure | Cotton End Forest School Bedford, East of England | Shortstown Primary School Bedford, East of England |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 56 Top 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #796 of 1,872 | #1459 of 1,872 |
| National rank | #6643 of 15,697 | #12139 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 2–11 | Ages 2–11 |
| Students | 435 | 479 |
| Pupils on roll | 435 | 479 |
| Free school meals | 17.7% | 26.3% |
| Capacity filled | 69% | 114% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 77% | 60% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 0% | 0% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Bedford | Bedford |
| region | East of England | East of England |
| Website | www.cottonendforestschool.co.uk/ | www.shortstownprimary.co.uk |
The verdict
- •Cotton End Forest School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (56.2 vs 30.4).
- •Cotton End Forest School does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (77% vs 60%).
- •Shortstown Primary School is the larger school with 479 students compared with 435.
- •Cotton End Forest School is a local authority school while Shortstown Primary School is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cotton End Forest School better than Shortstown Primary School?
On the Success Index (England), Cotton End Forest School ranks higher (56.2 vs 30.4 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Cotton End Forest School and Shortstown Primary School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Bedford and Bedford in East of England.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Cotton End Forest School: 435. Shortstown Primary School: 479. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Cotton End Forest School and Shortstown Primary School rank in East of England?
Cotton End Forest School is 796th of 1,872 and Shortstown Primary School is 1459th of 1,872 among primary schools in East of England on the 2025 Success Index (England).