Bedford Academy
Bedford, MK42 9TR · Bedford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th of 12 secondary schools in Bedford we can score, 13 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.1/10 against 511 of them, against 4.9/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.7 · 26 | 30% | 0.79 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.43 · 81 | 25% | 2.01 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.4 · 41 | 10% | 0.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bedford Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.43 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join music clubs and participate in football, basketball, and dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,480 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific steps are taken to maintain the positive Progress 8 trend seen in 2023/24?
What Ofsted said about Bedford Academy
Overview
Bedford Academy is judged to be ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where pupils are ‘happy and safe’, benefiting from strong staff relationships and an ‘ambitious curriculum’ that allows them to embed important knowledge effectively. Leaders have successfully redesigned the curriculum to address previous shortcomings, resulting in improved outcomes for most pupils.
Strengths
- Pupils study an ‘ambitious curriculum’ with sufficient time to ‘embed important knowledge’, leading to most pupils achieving well.
- Staff build ‘strong relationships’ with pupils, and the ‘access centre’ provides a ‘welcoming safe space’ for additional support.
- Behaviour is good, with pupils following clear expectations; leaders track discrimination and bullying incidents carefully.
- Pupils benefit from ‘inspiring wider opportunities’, including the ‘super curriculum experience’ of trips, mentoring, and work experience.
- Leaders ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs identified effectively and access the same curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure all teachers receive targeted support to improve practice, as teaching is less effective in a small number of subjects where pupils achieve less well.
- Leaders have not ‘checked the impact of teachers’ training and support carefully enough’ in areas where teaching is inconsistent.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with appropriate recruitment processes, regular staff training, and prompt follow-up of concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.4 |
| 2024/25 | 42.8 |
| 2025/26 | 44.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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