Schools by area › Bedford › Goldington Academy
Goldington Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–16 · Academy
Haylands Way, Bedford MK41 9BX · goldington.beds.sch.uk · 01234 261516
On the mapSearch near MK41 9BX
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- May 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 54.3
- average Attainment 8 score. Bedford 44.4, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.5
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 958
- 208 over 750 places · 128%
- Local authority
- Bedford
- Sixth form
- No
- Free school meals
- 22.7%
- First language not English
- 15.8%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 272 families put the school first and 182 places were offered; 67% 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 | 182 | 272 | 1.5▲ | 67% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 180 | 303 | 1.7▲ | 59% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 186 | 318 | 1.7▲ | 58% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 186 | 238 | 1.3▲ | 77% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 186 | 223 | 1.2▲ | 83% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 54.3, and 64.4% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Bedford it was 44.4, and across England 46.
In 2018/19, 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 19% the higher standard.
Key stage 2 results
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2018/19 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▲72% | 65% | ||
| ▲19% | 11% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ▲107 | 104 | ||
| ●106 | 105 | ||
| ●107 | 106 | ||
Progress scores 2018/19: reading -0.30, writing -1.50, maths -1.40
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▲54.3 | 46.0 | ||
| ▲64.4% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲87.6% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲56.5% | 40.5% | ||
| ▲4.97 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 34.1 | +3.2 |
| Further education | 51.4 | −2.5 |
| Apprenticeship | 4 | — |
| Employment | 3.5 | −0.4 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 5.2 | −2 |
| Activity not captured | 1.7 | −0.3 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Goldington Academy on 12 May 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
- Personal development and well-being: Strong standard
- Leadership and governance: Strong standard
- Inspected
- 12 May 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Strong standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Feb 2022
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Feb 2022Good
Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Nov 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Apr 2007Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding
What parents said
96% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (67 replies, to 2 January 2023).
- Recommend
- 96%
- Replies
- 67
- 8% · 2 Jan 2023
based on the 82% who raised concerns
based on the 28% who had a child bullied