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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 137948

Samuel Whitbread Academy

Academy converter · Shefford · SG17 5QS

Ages 13–18 · 1,657 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

47.1

Overall absence

9.6%

Admissions demand

1.18 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-04-26

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.13
−20+2
Attainment 847.1
English & maths grade 5+51%
English & maths grade 4+70%
EBacc entry16%

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 absence9.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)27.0%
Unauthorised1.9%
Authorised absence
7.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,244

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

1.18 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

464

Places offered

394

1st-preference offers

392

Total preferences (any rank)
504
Preferred offers (top 3)
394
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 fill100%

1,657 pupils · 1,650 places

Pupils on roll
1,657
Boys / girls
917 / 740
School capacity
1,650
Capacity fill
1,657 / 1,650 (100%)
Free school meals
12.8%
FSM pupils
154
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 13–18

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: BEDFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Academy trust
BEDFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Sponsor
Bedfordshire Schools Trust Limited
Headteacher
Mr Nicholas Martin

Location

Address
Shefford Road, Clifton
Postcode
SG17 5QS
Town
Shefford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Hitchin
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

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 13–18, in Shefford, Central Bedfordshire, 1,657 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 12.8%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Shefford
5
Secondary schools in Shefford
1
Academies among open schools in Shefford
80% (4)
Open schools in SG17
6
Secondary in SG17
1
Open schools in Central Bedfordshire LA
135
Secondary in Central Bedfordshire LA
14

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 SheffordNear SG17

  • Henlow Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Henlow · SG16 6AN · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 9–16

    • Att843.5
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence8.5%

    1.6 miles away

  • Clifton All Saints Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Near Shefford · SG17 5ES · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS236%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM10.1%
    • Demand1.17

    0.7 miles away

  • Robert Bloomfield Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Middle deemed secondary

    Shefford · SG17 5BU · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 9–13

    • KS251%
    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM13.3%

    1.0 miles away

  • Shefford Lower School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Shefford · SG17 5XA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence4.8%
    • FSM14.0%
    • Demand1.02

    1.0 miles away

  • Raynsford Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Henlow · SG16 6AT · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM10.3%
    • Demand1.17

    1.5 miles away

  • Campton Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shefford · SG17 5PF · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence3.6%
    • FSM4.7%
    • Demand0.96

    1.7 miles away

  • Derwent Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Henlow · SG16 6BA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM14.8%
    • Demand0.94

    2.0 miles away

  • Southill Lower School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Community school · Primary

    Biggleswade · SG18 9JA · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM16.2%
    • Demand0.85

    2.0 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mr Nicholas Martin
Telephone
01462629900
Website
http://www.samuelwhitbread.org.uk/

Official links