Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Bedford public Top 35% UK

Kempston Academy

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

personMr Marc Comb

corporate_fareCHILTERN LEARNING TRUST

location_onBedford, MK42 7EB

language Visit Website phone 1234290900

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

733

trending_up

Attainment 8

40.3

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#12 in Bedford

#2,500 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

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

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School Summary

Kempston 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 CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 824 pupils on roll, of whom 30% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 40.3, placing the school #12 in Bedford and #2,500 of 3,216 nationally. 35.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 11.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 1 A-level subjects.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 11.5 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

40.3

Grade 5+ E&M

35.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)11.9%

Entering EBacc35.50%

EBacc APS3.53

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59.40%

EBacc APS3.34

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.20

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS3.00

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.1

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc42%

EBacc APS3.3

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS3.31

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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

81%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)12%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

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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 subjects offered1

2024

A-Level Value Added

-1.03

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

2023

Avg Grade

D-

Students

2022

Avg Grade

E+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 55%England 65%

Reading-% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Writing-% LA 67% · Eng 78%

Maths-% LA 71% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA -1.5

Write

LA -2.5

Maths

LA -2.1

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

47%

LA 45%

Reading57% LA 56%

Writing63% LA 65%

Maths52% LA 57%

Read SS

102

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

-4.6

Read

LA -2.9

-6.2 to -3

-3.3

Write

LA -2.4

-4.8 to -1.8

-4.9

Maths

LA -2.7

-6.3 to -3.5

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

15 October 2024

Inspection Report

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12 September 2018

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2018-09-12

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-05-14

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

10.4%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

6.1%(50 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 824 pupils. During this period, there were 86 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 10.4%, which is above 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)	824	86	10.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	807	101	12.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	826	66	8.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	834	70	8.4%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	813	177	21.8%	8.2%	7
2022/23 (Summer term)	748	115	15.4%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	733	112	15.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	722	118	16.3%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	640	40	6.2%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	646	75	11.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	642	52	8.1%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	565	62	11.0%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	558	16	2.9%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	562	65	11.6%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	526	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	526	43	8.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	524	43	8.2%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	530	33	6.2%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	525	57	10.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	522	37	7.1%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	644	43	6.7%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	647	44	6.8%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	648	46	7.1%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	767	26	3.4%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	762	31	4.1%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	749	51	6.8%	3.1%	3

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 44 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 25 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 25 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 19 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 8 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 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.

85.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90.0%Positive

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

29.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree55%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree29%

agree39%

disagree27%

strongly disagree5%

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

strongly agree28%

agree32%

disagree9%

strongly disagree6%

don't know3%

not applicable22%

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

yes21%

no79%

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

strongly agree25%

agree38%

disagree16%

strongly disagree16%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree34%

agree48%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree55%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree47%

disagree14%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree35%

agree55%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree46%

agree46%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree31%

agree42%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes85%

no15%

Top Secondary Schools in Bedford

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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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

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View all schools in Bedford arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

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