Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #10 in Bedford public Top 33% UK

Mark Rutherford School

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

personHeadteacher Kelli Foster

corporate_fareMARK RUTHERFORD SCHOOL TRUST

location_onBedford, MK41 8PX

language Visit Website phone 1234290200

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

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Students

1,298

trending_up

Attainment 8

41.5

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GCSE Rank

#11 in Bedford

#2,324 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Mark Rutherford School is a Academy converter secondary school in Bedford, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Mark Rutherford School is an academy converter in Bedford, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of MARK RUTHERFORD SCHOOL TRUST. The school has approximately 1,180 pupils on roll, of whom 27% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 41.5, placing the school #11 in Bedford and #2,324 of 3,216 nationally. 39.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 13.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 21 A-level subjects. 29.6% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 12.9% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.19 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

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

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.6× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.4 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

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

39.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.1%

Entering EBacc15.00%

EBacc APS3.52

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32.50%

EBacc APS4.02

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS3.65

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS3.66

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS3.8

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc47%

EBacc APS3.99

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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%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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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

-0.19

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.2%

Achieving A*–A12.9%

Achieving A*–B29.6%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate100.0%

A-level subjects offered21

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.5

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate95.00%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate90.20%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate96.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

14 June 2023

Inspection Report

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10 March 2020

Inspection Report

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03 March 2016

Inspection Report

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04 January 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-06-14

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Good

2016-03-03

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-11-14

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2010-02-03

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

4.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.1%(37 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,180 pupils. During this period, there were 57 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.8%, 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)	1,180	57	4.8%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,181	93	7.9%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,242	74	6.0%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,259	96	7.6%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,257	115	9.1%	8.2%	5
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,282	113	8.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,298	69	5.3%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,306	87	6.7%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,310	77	5.9%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,317	41	3.1%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,318	46	3.5%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,280	15	1.2%	3.6%	5
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,285	4	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,297	22	1.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,264	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,264	18	1.4%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,264	23	1.8%	4.2%	5
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,284	8	0.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,296	24	1.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,304	17	1.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,331	26	2.0%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,340	16	1.2%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,340	24	1.8%	3.7%	4
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,261	11	0.9%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,267	26	2.1%	3.3%	3
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,265	27	2.1%	3.1%	2

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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 50 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 49 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 48 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 40 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 11 pupils

Hearing Impairment 8 pupils

Physical Disability 7 pupils

Visual Impairment 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.

60.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

72.0%Positive

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

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree7%

agree38%

disagree30%

strongly disagree18%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree7%

agree38%

disagree37%

strongly disagree14%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree14%

agree29%

disagree22%

strongly disagree20%

don't know1%

not applicable13%

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

yes25%

no75%

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

strongly agree6%

agree22%

disagree27%

strongly disagree43%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree15%

agree37%

disagree26%

strongly disagree12%

don't know11%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree14%

agree50%

disagree23%

strongly disagree10%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree12%

agree51%

disagree27%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree23%

agree58%

disagree9%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree20%

agree56%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know8%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree9%

agree39%

disagree29%

strongly disagree15%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes46%

no54%

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