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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136085

Bedford Academy

Academy sponsor led · Bedford · MK42 9TR

Ages 11–18 · 1,480 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

43.4

Overall absence

7.7%

Admissions demand

0.87 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-03-21

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.43
−20+2
Attainment 843.4
English & maths grade 5+35%
English & maths grade 4+55%
EBacc entry49%

EBacc APS: 3.8

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.3%
Unauthorised2.9%
Authorised absence
4.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.9%
Enrolments in measure
1,194

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.87 · Often has places

1st preferences

225

Places offered

261

1st-preference offers

221

Total preferences (any rank)
645
Preferred offers (top 3)
261
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

1,480 pupils · 1,500 places

Pupils on roll
1,480
Boys / girls
751 / 729
School capacity
1,500
Capacity fill
1,480 / 1,500 (99%)
Free school meals
40.3%
FSM pupils
512
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Harpur Trust
Headteacher
Mr Chris Deller

Location

Address
Mile Road
Postcode
MK42 9TR
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
Bedford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bedford, Bedford, 1,480 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 40.3%.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Secondary schools in Bedford
14
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK42
26
Secondary in MK42
5
Open schools in Bedford LA
86
Secondary in Bedford LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BedfordNear MK42

  • Bedford Free School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9AD · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att852.7
    • P81.1
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence6.5%

    1.1 miles away

  • Daubeney Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 7PS · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att835.6
    • P80.0
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence9.2%

    1.4 miles away

  • Goldington Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9BX · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att854.1
    • P80.8
    • EM5+64%
    • Absence6.4%

    1.8 miles away

  • Castle Newnham School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9DT · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM23.7%

    1.9 miles away

  • Wixams Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 6BA · Bedford

    Ages 11–19

    • Att846.1
    • P80.2
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence8.5%

    2.3 miles away

  • Kempston Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 7EB · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att837.3
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence8.8%

    2.5 miles away

  • Mark Rutherford School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 8PX · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.4
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence9.1%

    2.9 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mr Chris Deller
Telephone
01234301500
Website
http://bedfordacademy.co.uk/

Official links