Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #7 in Central Bedfordshire public Top 22% UK

Redborne Upper School and Community College

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

personMr Olly Button

corporate_fareREDBORNE UPPER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

location_onBedford, MK45 2NU

language Visit Website phone 1525404462

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,615

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.6

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GCSE Rank

#5 in Central Bedfordshire

#1,437 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Redborne Upper School and Community College is a Academy converter secondary school in Bedford, serving ages 13-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Redborne Upper School and Community College is an academy converter in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, admitting pupils aged 13-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of REDBORNE UPPER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE. The school has approximately 1,592 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.6, placing the school #5 in Central Bedfordshire and #1,437 of 3,216 nationally. 44.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 30 A-level subjects. 46.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 22.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.11 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. 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 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.2:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.2 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

46.6

Grade 5+ E&M

44.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.3%

Entering EBacc22.90%

EBacc APS3.89

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28.60%

EBacc APS3.85

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS3.99

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26%

EBacc APS4.15

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS3.99

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS4.22

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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

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships7%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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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

-0.11

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

116

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*7.5%

Achieving A*–A22.4%

Achieving A*–B46.2%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate96.6%

A-level subjects offered30

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

139

Retention rate93.50%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

145

Retention rate95.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

152

Retention rate98.7%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

02 July 2024

Inspection Report

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04 May 2023

Inspection Report

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07 November 2017

Inspection Report

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14 May 2015

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-07-02

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-11-07

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-09-24

None Legacy

Outstanding

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

3.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.2%(35 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 1,592 pupils. During this period, there were 55 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.5%, 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)	1,592	55	3.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,595	47	2.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,573	61	3.9%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,580	52	3.3%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,587	56	3.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,610	45	2.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,615	50	3.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,625	38	2.3%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,624	37	2.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,636	51	3.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,640	66	4.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,620	47	2.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,625	14	0.9%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,633	63	3.9%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,603	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,603	48	3.0%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,610	59	3.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,634	44	2.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,644	65	4.0%	3.8%	4
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,653	61	3.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,617	56	3.5%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,632	65	4.0%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,649	69	4.2%	3.7%	5
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,605	48	3.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,606	39	2.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,615	27	1.7%	3.1%	0

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 85 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 39 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 19 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 11 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 1 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.

83.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

86.0%Positive

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

11.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree25%

agree49%

disagree15%

strongly disagree4%

don't know8%

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

strongly agree17%

agree42%

disagree28%

strongly disagree8%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree23%

agree29%

disagree12%

strongly disagree11%

don't know1%

not applicable24%

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

yes30%

no70%

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

strongly agree25%

agree24%

disagree25%

strongly disagree21%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree35%

agree41%

disagree13%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree48%

disagree14%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree24%

agree47%

disagree20%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree53%

agree41%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree37%

agree47%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know8%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree40%

disagree17%

strongly disagree7%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes77%

no23%

Top Secondary Schools in Central Bedfordshire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Cedars Upper School

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Good

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Harlington Upper School

Good

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Houstone School

N/A

location_on Dunstable, LU5 5PX

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Priory Academy

Good

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Samuel Whitbread Academy

Good

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View all schools in Central Bedfordshire 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.

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 Central Bedfordshire

Cedars Upper School

Vandyke Upper School

Harlington Upper School

Houstone School

Priory Academy

Samuel Whitbread Academy