Bedford Free School
Bedford, MK42 9AD · Bedford · secondary school
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1st 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 — 9.5/10 against 827 of them, against 8.6/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 58.3 · 79 | 30% | 2.37 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 1.11 · 99 | 25% | 2.47 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.0 · 74 | 10% | 0.74 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bedford Free School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +1.11 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in June 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 536 pupils against a stated capacity of 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Progress 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Outstanding rating while managing a roll above its designated capacity?
What Ofsted said about Bedford Free School
Overview
Bedford Free School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection, where it was judged outstanding for overall effectiveness. The report confirms that pupils flourish in a community characterised by high-quality education, exemplary behaviour, and exceptional personal development. Leaders and staff successfully uphold the school’s rigorous expectations, ensuring a consistently strong quality of education.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve extremely well within a "well-constructed, broad and ambitious academic curriculum" that prioritises knowledge retention and character development.
- Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "very well supported," enabling them to access the same curriculum as their peers and achieve very well.
- There is a "strong culture of reading," with effective support ensuring that pupils who struggle to read fluently "catch up quickly."
- The school offers an "impressive range of opportunities" through its enrichment programme, including diverse electives, trips, and high participation in sports.
- Staff are "very well supported" with high-quality training, and trustees hold leaders "strictly to account" for the quality of provision.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.7 |
| 2024/25 | 46.5 |
| 2025/26 | 51.0 |
| 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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