SchoolScoresBiddenham International School and Sports College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Biddenham Turn, Bedford, MK40 4AZ
01234 342521 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 March 2019.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 27 November 2024: 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
120 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 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 79% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 36 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 50% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 90 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 84% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 66% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 25 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 38% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 49% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). 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
198 pupils in this year group.
36% — 8 points below the Bedford average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 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. | 42.1 | 44.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 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.
191 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as 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. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 61% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 29% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
77 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 12% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 35% | 45% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.6 | 30.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 173 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 25 | 0% | 8% | 20% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 19 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Mathematics | 16 | 6% | 19% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 14 | 0% | 7% | 32% |
| Psychology | 14 | 0% | 21% | 19% |
| Law | 13 | 0% | 8% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 0% | 10% | 30% |
| Biology | 8 | 0% | 25% | 27% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 6 | 17% | 17% | 59% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, History, Art and Design (Fine Art), Dance, Physics, English Language, Geography, Art and Design (Photography), Drama and Theatre Studies, English Literature, French, German.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
95 students in this year group.
86% — 9 points above the Bedford average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 11% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 38% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
88 students in this year group.
67% — 21 points above the Bedford average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 67% | 46% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 14% | 9% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 67% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 252 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 267 |
| Of those, offered a place | 245 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 624 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.1
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 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 35.3% | 23.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 9.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 49.4% | 23.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 43% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 31% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.3% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.29% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 18th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 4% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 20% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 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 Modern School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
- Bedford Free School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2020), confirmed 2025 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bedford School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 51% A*/A at A level
- Bedford Greenacre Independent School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 17% A*/A at A level
- Bedford Girls' School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 30% A*/A at A level
- Daubeney Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Castle Newnham School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Kempston Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Thomas More Catholic School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bedford Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Biddenham International School and Sports College's Ofsted rating?
Biddenham International School and Sports College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 27 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Biddenham International School and Sports College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Biddenham International School and Sports College?
92% of the 120 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Biddenham International School and Sports College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Biddenham International School and Sports College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 267 families put Biddenham International School and Sports College as their first choice for 252 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 245 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 109690.
- 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, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.