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OpenSecondaryOfsted: OutstandingURN 138228

Bedford Free School

Free schools · Bedford · MK42 9AD

Ages 11–16 · 536 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Attainment 8

52.7

Overall absence

6.5%

Admissions demand

1.91 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2020-01-15

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
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+1.11
−20+2
Attainment 852.7
English & maths grade 5+54%
English & maths grade 4+75%
EBacc entry93%

EBacc APS: 5.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)20.4%
Unauthorised3.6%
Authorised absence
2.9%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.4%
Enrolments in measure
554

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

1.91 · Competitive

1st preferences

189

Places offered

99

1st-preference offers

96

Total preferences (any rank)
358
Preferred offers (top 3)
99
Applications from outside LA
4
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
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 fill107%

536 pupils · 500 places

Pupils on roll
536
Boys / girls
276 / 260
School capacity
500
Capacity fill
536 / 500 (107%)
Free school meals
29.5%
FSM pupils
158
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Academy trust
ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Sponsor
Advantage Schools Trust
Headteacher
Mr Tom Wood

Location

Address
Cauldwell Street
Postcode
MK42 9AD
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 free schools (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bedford, Bedford, 536 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 29.5%.

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 Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9TR · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att843.4
    • P80.4
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence7.7%

    1.1 miles away

  • Castle Newnham School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9DT · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM23.7%

    1.1 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%

    1.3 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%

    1.5 miles away

  • St Thomas More Catholic School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 7UL · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.6
    • P80.3
    • EM5+45%
    • Absence8.4%

    2.0 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%

    2.3 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%

    2.4 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Tom Wood
Telephone
01234332299
Website
http://www.bedfordfreeschool.co.uk/

Official links