Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #9 in Bedford public Top 29% UK

Bedford Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Chris Deller

corporate_fareHEART ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onBedford, MK42 9TR

language Visit Website phone 1234301500

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,309

trending_up

Attainment 8

42.8

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GCSE Rank

#8 in Bedford

#2,119 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Bedford Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Bedford, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Bedford Academy is an academy sponsor led in Bedford, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of HEART ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,375 pupils on roll, of whom 38% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.8, placing the school #8 in Bedford and #2,119 of 3,216 nationally. 37.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 10 A-level subjects. 46.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 15.0% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.36 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.3:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

42.8

Grade 5+ E&M

37.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.9%

Entering EBacc48.40%

EBacc APS3.83

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc48.50%

EBacc APS3.82

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.00

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS3.39

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc22%

EBacc APS3.39

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc7%

EBacc APS3.07

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS3.22

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.36

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.0%

Achieving A*–A15.0%

Achieving A*–B46.0%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate100.0%

A-level subjects offered10

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.22

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate96.90%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.00%

2022

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 March 2023

Inspection Report

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14 May 2019

Inspection Report

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22 October 2015

Inspection Report

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11 February 2015

Inspection Report

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17 July 2013

Inspection Report

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18 January 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-03-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-05-14

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-10-22

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-07-17

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.4%(19 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,375 pupils. During this period, there were 20 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,375	20	1.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,371	37	2.7%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,316	41	3.1%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,332	40	3.0%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,336	35	2.6%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,301	38	2.9%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,309	31	2.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,308	25	1.9%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,258	21	1.7%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,264	24	1.9%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,262	17	1.3%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,206	22	1.8%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,197	8	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,196	17	1.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,129	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,129	17	1.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,129	19	1.7%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,161	8	0.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,173	38	3.2%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,174	55	4.7%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,183	59	5.0%	3.4%	3
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,193	63	5.3%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,201	52	4.3%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,233	32	2.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,233	29	2.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,236	42	3.4%	3.1%	7

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 62 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 48 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 40 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 26 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 18 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

84.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

25.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree47%

agree40%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree41%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree45%

agree17%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

not applicable23%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes20%

no80%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree53%

agree40%

strongly disagree7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree60%

agree35%

disagree1%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree56%

agree39%

disagree5%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree48%

agree40%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree57%

agree39%

disagree4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree71%

agree27%

disagree3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree47%

agree39%

disagree5%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes88%

no12%

Top Secondary Schools in Bedford

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Goldington Academy

Good

location_on Bedford, MK41 9BX

emoji_events #1 in LA

Sharnbrook Academy

Requires improvement

location_on Bedford, MK44 1JL

emoji_events #2 in LA

Wixams Academy

Requires improvement

location_on Bedford, MK42 6BA

emoji_events #3 in LA

Bedford Free School

Outstanding

location_on Bedford, MK42 9AD

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Thomas More Catholic School

Good

location_on Bedford, MK41 7UL

emoji_events #5 in LA

Lincroft Academy

Requires improvement

location_on Bedford, MK43 7RE

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Bedford arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Bedford

Goldington Academy

Sharnbrook Academy

Wixams Academy

Bedford Free School

St Thomas More Catholic School

Lincroft Academy