Wixams Academy
Bedford, MK42 6BA · Bedford · secondary school
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10th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.5/10 against 912 of them, against 5.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 12 | 35% | 0.41 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 44.2 · 48 | 30% | 1.43 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.23 · 67 | 25% | 1.68 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.9 · 39 | 10% | 0.39 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Wixams Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.23 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 (7.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 903 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,750. 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 new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Wixams Academy
Overview
Wixams Academy is fulfilling the expected standard of education, with leaders having driven "sustainable change" since the previous inspection. The school offers an "ambitious and carefully designed" curriculum that supports most pupils in building knowledge effectively, resulting in a "growing positive community" where pupils feel safe and behave well.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well sequenced" and supports pupils to build knowledge over five years, with particular success in English and mathematics.
- Staff development ensures teachers use "clear examples" and focus on "key subject-specific vocabulary" to explain difficult ideas.
- A "well considered" PSHE curriculum helps pupils understand important topics such as relationships, emotional wellbeing, and careers.
- Post-16 students benefit from "small class sizes" and "tailored support," with most progressing well from their starting points.
- Pupils enjoy a wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities, including sports and drama, which enhance school life.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "further embed the improvements to the school's approach to inclusion" so pupils' needs are accurately identified and addressed.
- Leaders should improve attendance for all pupils, particularly those with special educational needs or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.1 |
| 2024/25 | 47.5 |
| 2025/26 | 43.9 |
| 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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