Redborne Upper School and Community College
Bedford, MK45 2NU · Central Bedfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd 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 2.7/10 among them, against 5.3/10 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 | 46.0 · 53 | 30% | 1.58 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.08 · 56 | 25% | 1.39 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.3 · 46 | 10% | 0.46 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Redborne Upper School and Community College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.08 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024. 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.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in dance and take part in trips to Rouen, Germany, Poland, and for skiing.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,657 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,418. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the international trips organised for families with varying budgets?
What Ofsted said about Redborne Upper School and Community College
Overview
Pupils and students speak positively about their experience at this school, describing it as a calm environment where they feel safe and valued. The report highlights that pupils achieve well in public examinations and benefit from a wide range of opportunities, including residential trips and charity events. Overall, the school provides a high-quality education with strong personal development and effective leadership.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well planned and sequenced" and "typically ambitious," with subject specialists providing effective step-by-step support.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has improved, with staff making "appropriate adaptations" and pupils receiving enthusiastic support.
- The approach to reading is "increasingly rigorous," with trained sixth-form students supporting younger pupils to become "fluent and confident readers."
- Careers education is a strength, offering pupils valuable exposure to the world of work, higher education, and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Staff well-being is considered effectively, with access to professional development and support for those new to the profession.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, pupils’ understanding is not routinely checked systematically, meaning misconceptions are not always identified and the quality of work is not consistently high.
- Too many vulnerable pupils are persistently absent, which impacts their achievement; systems to reduce absence must be implemented robustly across all year groups.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.3 |
| 2024/25 | 46.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.3 |
| 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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