Schools by area › Central Bedfordshire › Samuel Whitbread Academy
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 13–18 · Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford SG17 5QS · samuelwhitbread.org.uk · 01462 629900
On the mapSearch near SG17 5QS
Overview
- Ofsted
- Remains Good
- Ungraded inspection · Mar 2023
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 46.7
- average Attainment 8 score. Central Bedfordshire 43.6, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Year 9, September 2025
- Pupils
- 1,657
- 7 over 1,650 places · 100%
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 12.8%
- First language not English
- 2.4%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 9 in September 2025, 362 families put the school first and 356 places were offered; 98% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 9 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 356 | 362 | 1▲ | 98% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 394 | 464 | 1.2▲ | 84% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 361 | 364 | 1▲ | 99% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 371 | 370 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2021Sept 2021 | 376 | 414 | 1.1▲ | 90% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 46.7, and 48% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Central Bedfordshire it was 43.6, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade B- (35.9 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ●46.7 | 46.0 | ||
| ▲48.0% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲72.7% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼11.6% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.87 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 47.6 | −6.2 |
| Sixth form college | 0.5 | — |
| Further education | 39.9 | +8.4 |
| Other education | 0.5 | 0 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.5 | +0.4 |
| Employment | 3.7 | −1.1 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 1.5 | −2.1 |
| Activity not captured | 1.7 | −0.1 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 181 students | B- (35.9) | Average +0.02 | |
| 183 students | B- (35.8) | Average +0.02 | |
| 116 students | Dist- (32.3) | Average +0.04 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 194 | C+ (33.5) | -0.05 |
| 2022/23 | 190 | C+ (33.3) | — |
| 2021/22 | 153 | B- (37.1) | — |
| 2018/19 | 208 | C (30.8) | -0.31 |
| 2017/18 | 168 | C+ (32.3) | +0.02 |
| 2016/17 | 194 | C (29.9) | -0.06 |
| 2015/16 | 189 | C (29.6) | -0.05 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 46 | −6.8 |
| Further and other education | 2.4 | +0.9 |
| Further education | 0.8 | — |
| Other education | 1.6 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 8.9 | −1.2 |
| Employment | 33.5 | +8.4 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 6.5 | −2 |
| Activity not captured | 2.8 | +0.8 |
Ofsted
At an ungraded inspection on 3 March 2023, Ofsted’s outcome for Samuel Whitbread Academy was: School remains Good.
- Outcome
- Remains Good
- Inspected
- 2 Mar 2023
- Ungraded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Nov 2017
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
Nov 2017Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good Safeguarding Effective May 2014Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good
What parents said
80% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (259 replies, to 1 January 2024).
- Recommend
- 80%
- Replies
- 259
- 15% · 1 Jan 2024
based on the 77% who raised concerns
based on the 35% who had a child bullied
based on 65 parents (25%) with SEND