SchoolScoresBedford Free School
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AD
01234 332299 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 15 January 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 24 April 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
91 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bedford comparisons use the 12 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 8 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 11th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 11th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 38 parents whose child had been bullied 10th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 19% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 37% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 62 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 12% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48% | 66% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 22 parents of children with SEND 8th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 20% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 49% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 17%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bedford figures pool parents at the Bedford schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
98 pupils in this year group.
37% — 7 points below the Bedford average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 37% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 46.5 | 44.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
95 pupils in this year group.
91% — 2 points below the Bedford average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 47% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bedford. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 109 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 168 |
| Of those, offered a place | 108 (64%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 434 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.5
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.6% | 23.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 9.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 64.0% | 23.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.57% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 17th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 12th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 5% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.1% | 12.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Bedford Girls' School 0.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 30% A*/A at A level
- Bedford School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 51% A*/A at A level
- Castle Newnham School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Bedford Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bedford Modern School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
- Goldington Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong · 64% grade 5+ English and maths
- KWS School 1.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- Biddenham International School and Sports College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Daubeney Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bedford Greenacre Independent School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 17% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bedford Free School's Ofsted rating?
Bedford Free School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 24 April 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Bedford Free School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 37% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bedford Free School?
70% of the 91 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Bedford Free School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bedford Free School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 168 families put Bedford Free School as their first choice for 109 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 108 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138228.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.