Daubeney Academy
Bedford, MK42 7PS · Bedford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 — 7.0/10 against 835 of them, against 5.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 51.7 · 66 | 46% | 3.07 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.02 · 52 | 38% | 1.99 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.1 · 51 | 15% | 0.78 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Daubeney Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils performed slightly better than expected based on their starting points. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.0 out of 10 either way).
Getting in
The published school roll is 576 pupils against a stated capacity of 583. 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 attainment gap with the national median? What specific support is available for students who are not meeting expected progress?
What Ofsted said about Daubeney Academy
Overview
Daubeney Academy fosters a "truly inclusive culture" where diversity is "joyfully embraced" and pupils act as "proud ambassadors." The school has driven "significant improvements" since its previous inspection, establishing a "warm and nurturing environment" with "exemplary" behaviour and high expectations for all students.
Strengths
- Behaviour is described as "exemplary," with pupils conducting themselves with respect and taking ownership of their actions.
- The curriculum is "taught consistently well," particularly in core subjects, with teachers delivering "clear, precise explanations" that nurture curiosity.
- Personal development is "well-rounded," equipping pupils for life in modern Britain through excellent careers guidance and a "rich variety of enrichment opportunities."
- Tailored support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those speaking English as an additional language is "carefully planned and impactful."
- Leaders have ensured "trust, engagement and stability," with staff and parents being "overwhelmingly positive" about the school.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, staff are in the "early stages of receiving the training" to teach and assess the curriculum as intended, meaning pupils do not yet receive the same precise support as in core subjects. Leaders must ensure teachers continue to be supported in developing their approaches.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.6 |
| 2024/25 | 38.5 |
| 2025/26 | 46.1 |
| 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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