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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 139160

Mark Rutherford School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK41 8PX

Ages 11–18 · 1,150 pupils · Bedford

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

45.4

Overall absence

9.1%

Admissions demand

0.64 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2025-11-11

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.05
−20+2
Attainment 845.4
English & maths grade 5+44%
English & maths grade 4+62%
EBacc entry33%

EBacc APS: 4.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)26.0%
Unauthorised2.6%
Authorised absence
6.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,118

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

0.64 · Often has places

1st preferences

130

Places offered

214

1st-preference offers

130

Total preferences (any rank)
441
Preferred offers (top 3)
207
Applications from outside LA
0
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 fill93%

1,150 pupils · 1,243 places

Pupils on roll
1,150
Boys / girls
584 / 566
School capacity
1,243
Capacity fill
1,150 / 1,243 (93%)
Free school meals
30.4%
FSM pupils
304
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

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: MARK RUTHERFORD SCHOOL TRUST
Academy trust
MARK RUTHERFORD SCHOOL TRUST
Headteacher
Headteacher Kelli Foster

Location

Address
Wentworth Drive
Postcode
MK41 8PX
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Bedford
District
Bedford
Constituency
Bedford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
22 on roll / 20 capacity

Local context

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

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bedford, Bedford, 1,150 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 30.4%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Secondary schools in Bedford
14
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK41
19
Secondary in MK41
4
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 MK41

  • Goldington Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bedford · MK41 9BX · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

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

    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%

    1.2 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%

    1.2 miles away

  • Bedford Free School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bedford · MK42 9AD · Bedford

    Ages 11–16

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

    2.3 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%

    2.9 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Headteacher Kelli Foster
Telephone
01234290200
Website
http://www.markrutherford.beds.sch.uk/

Official links