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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Standards maintainedURN 109690

Biddenham International School and Sports College

Foundation school · Bedford · MK40 4AZ

Ages 11–18 · 1,422 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Standards maintained

Attainment 8

40.4

Overall absence

9.2%

Admissions demand

1.13 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Standards maintained

Inspection date

2025-01-13

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+0.12
−20+2
Attainment 840.4
English & maths grade 5+28%
English & maths grade 4+52%
EBacc entry17%

EBacc APS: 3.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)28.5%
Unauthorised4.6%
Authorised absence
4.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,156

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

1.13 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

264

Places offered

234

1st-preference offers

210

Total preferences (any rank)
611
Preferred offers (top 3)
234
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 fill95%

1,422 pupils · 1,500 places

Pupils on roll
1,422
Boys / girls
697 / 725
School capacity
1,500
Capacity fill
1,422 / 1,500 (95%)
Free school meals
35.8%
FSM pupils
434
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Mr David Bailey

Location

Address
Biddenham Turn
Postcode
MK40 4AZ
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 foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bedford, Bedford, 1,422 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 35.8%.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Secondary schools in Bedford
14
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK40
11
Secondary in MK40
1
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 MK40

  • Bedford Free School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9AD · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

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

    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%

    1.7 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%

    1.9 miles away

  • Castle Newnham School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9DT · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM23.7%

    2.0 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%

    2.2 miles away

  • Bedford Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9TR · Bedford

    Ages 11–18

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

    2.2 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%

    2.3 miles away

  • Lincroft Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK43 7RE · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.4
    • P80.4
    • EM5+59%
    • Absence8.0%

    2.4 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mr David Bailey
Telephone
01234342521
Website
http://www.biddenham.beds.sch.uk

Official links