SchoolScoresCedars Upper School
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST
Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2AE
01525 219300 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 April 2023.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
220 pupils in this year group.
50% — 8 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 42% | 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. | 48.5 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 3.8 | 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.
262 pupils in this year group.
90% — 3 points below the Central Bedfordshire average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 44% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 90% |
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
112 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 23% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 53% | 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. | 35.6 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 265 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 29 | 0% | 3% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 26 | 19% | 62% | 40% |
| Sociology | 26 | 4% | 8% | 20% |
| Biology | 24 | 4% | 21% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 20 | 10% | 10% | 16% |
| Economics | 19 | 0% | 5% | 26% |
| History | 18 | 0% | 33% | 23% |
| Film Studies | 15 | 7% | 13% | 17% |
| English Literature | 12 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 9% | 36% | 30% |
| Physics | 11 | 0% | 27% | 31% |
| Religious Studies | 11 | 0% | 9% | 22% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 13% | 24% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | 43% | 86% | 38% |
| Geography | 6 | 17% | 50% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Language, Mathematics (Further), Spanish, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Music, Physical Education / Sports Studies.
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.
174 students in this year group.
89% — 9 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 30% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 89% |
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.
123 students in this year group.
79% — 22 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 19 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 79% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 29% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 72% | 79% |
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 Central Bedfordshire. 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 2025 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 236 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 188 |
| Of those, offered a place | 188 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 430 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8
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 2025 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 16.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 76% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.09% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 99% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 23.8 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 79% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5% | 13.1%* | 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
- Linslade School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022
- Leighton Middle School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2024
- Brooklands Middle School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Gilbert Inglefield Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026, before conversion: safeguarding not met; 6 urgent improvement
- Vandyke Upper School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Cottesloe School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cedars Upper School's Ofsted rating?
Cedars Upper School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 April 2023.
How did Cedars Upper School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Cedars Upper School oversubscribed?
For the September 2025 intake, 188 families put Cedars Upper School as their first choice for 236 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 188 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 137462.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.