Etonbury Academy
Arlesey, SG15 6XS · Central Bedfordshire · middle school
Check the area around this school
1st of 16 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire we can score, 27 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 the 765 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5/10 among them, against 5.9/10 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 | 50.3 · 63 | 30% | 1.89 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.1 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.8 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Etonbury Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in May 2025. In 2024/25, 45.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.5 out of 10 among them, against 5.4 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,158 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,270. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores relative to similar-intake schools? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Etonbury Academy
Overview
Etonbury Academy is described as a "welcoming and nurturing place to learn" where pupils enjoy attending and feel "safe, cared for and known as individuals." The inspection confirms that the school has "taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection," with leaders, trustees, and governors actively sustaining high standards for pupils.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "great courtesy and respect," creating "calm, orderly and purposeful" classrooms that allow learning without disruption.
- Leaders have established an "ambitious curriculum" that teaches essential skills and knowledge, with teachers demonstrating "secure subject knowledge" and explaining information clearly.
- Staff provide strong support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), using strategies such as "writing frames, word banks and targeted one-to-one support."
- The school offers an "extensive and well-planned programme" to develop character, including debating, sports, and careers advice, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
- Reading is prioritised across the school, with staff quickly identifying and supporting pupils who struggle to become "fluent and confident readers."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must "systematically check pupils’ understanding" with greater precision to identify and address gaps in knowledge effectively.
- Staff need consistent support to ensure learning tasks are "adapted well enough to enable all pupils to access and engage fully," matching work to pupils’ starting points.
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 | 46.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.5 |
| 2025/26 | 45.8 |
| 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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