SchoolScoresMarston Vale Middle School
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed
Part of CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST
The Crescent, Stewartby, Bedford, MK43 9NH
01234 768224 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
127 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 Joint 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 60% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 43 parents whose child had been bullied 6th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 54% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 95 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 66% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 31 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 41% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 49% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 5th highest of 12 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bedford. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
159 pupils in this year group.
54% — 3 points below the Bedford average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 54% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 69% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 62% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bedford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5% | 23.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th 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 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 9.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.1% | 23.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 82% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 7th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 8th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 59% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 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
- Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Wootton Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wixams Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Alameda Middle School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023
- Kempston Academy 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Marston Vale Middle School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
Would parents recommend Marston Vale Middle School?
77% of the 127 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Marston Vale Middle School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145861.
- 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, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.