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Bedford Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Sponsored academy
Mile Road, Bedford MK42 9TR · bedfordacademy.co.uk · 01234 301500
On the mapSearch near MK42 9TR
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected Mar 2023
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 42.8
- average Attainment 8 score. Bedford 44.4, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,480
- 99% of 1,500 places
- Local authority
- Bedford
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 40.3%
- First language not English
- 38.7%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 285 families put the school first and 293 places were offered; 95% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 293 | 285 | 1 | 95% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 290 | 277 | 1 | 94% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 261 | 225 | 0.9 | 98% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 263 | 240 | 0.9 | 94% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 246 | 190 | 0.8 | 97% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 42.8, and 37.8% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Bedford it was 44.4, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C+ (33.4 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼42.8 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼37.8% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼57.6% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲48.4% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.83 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 39.8 | −2.4 |
| Sixth form college | 0.5 | — |
| Further education | 46.6 | +4.9 |
| Other education | 0.5 | −0.1 |
| Apprenticeship | 1.9 | −0.3 |
| Employment | 1.9 | −1.4 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 6.8 | +0.1 |
| Activity not captured | 1.9 | −1.4 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 students | C+ (33.4) | Above average +0.36 | |
| 48 students | C+ (33.8) | Well above average +0.37 | |
| 71 students | Dist- (31.7) | Above average +0.40 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 60 | C (29.4) | +0.22 |
| 2022/23 | 57 | D (20.9) | — |
| 2021/22 | 48 | C- (27) | — |
| 2018/19 | 48 | C- (25.3) | +0.01 |
| 2017/18 | 50 | C- (26.5) | -0.15 |
| 2016/17 | 51 | C (29.4) | -0.10 |
| 2015/16 | 38 | D+ (24.3) | -0.13 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 51 | +13.9 |
| Further and other education | 3.2 | −1.3 |
| Further education | 1 | −1.2 |
| Other education | 2.1 | −0.1 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.2 | −4.8 |
| Employment | 26 | −10 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 12.5 | +2.4 |
| Activity not captured | 3.1 | −0.3 |
Ofsted
Bedford Academy was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 21 March 2023, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 21 Mar 2023
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Previously: Concerns, ungraded inspection, May 2019
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
May 2019Ungraded inspectionConcerns
Safeguarding Effective Oct 2015Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Outstanding 16 to 19 study programmes Good Safeguarding Effective Jul 2013Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Outstanding
What parents said
88% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (75 replies, to 1 January 2024).
- Recommend
- 88%
- Replies
- 75
- 6% · 1 Jan 2024
based on the 77% who raised concerns
based on the 48% who had a child bullied
based on 15 parents (20%) with SEND