SchoolScoresSamuel Whitbread Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BEDFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QS
01462 629900 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 31 October 2017.
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 3 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
396 pupils in this year group.
48% — 7 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 48% | 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. | 46.7 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 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.
393 pupils in this year group.
95% — 2 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 52% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 95% |
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
181 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 | 24% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 54% | 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. | 35.9 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 429 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 61 | 8% | 28% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 53 | 21% | 38% | 40% |
| Geography | 47 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Psychology | 33 | 9% | 30% | 19% |
| Biology | 28 | 11% | 21% | 27% |
| Sociology | 25 | 4% | 12% | 20% |
| Physics | 22 | 18% | 50% | 31% |
| English Language and Literature | 20 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| History | 20 | 0% | 15% | 23% |
| Film Studies | 19 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 17 | 0% | 12% | 24% |
| English Literature | 13 | 8% | 23% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 11 | 9% | 18% | 22% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 10 | 40% | 70% | 59% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 9 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 25% | 38% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 17% | 33% | 38% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Graphics), Art and Design (Textiles), Drama and Theatre Studies, Dance, Russian, Spanish.
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.
225 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 | 12% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 28% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 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.
191 students in this year group.
62% — 5 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 62% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 17% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 69% | 62% |
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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 356 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 362 |
| Of those, offered a place | 354 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 409 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 16.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 22nd highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 27th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 18% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 24th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.5% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 22nd lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 32% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 23.1 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 51% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded9 pupils | 0.54% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 18th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 45% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 21st highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 22% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Robert Bloomfield Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Henlow CofE Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Samuel Whitbread Academy's Ofsted rating?
Samuel Whitbread Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 October 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Samuel Whitbread Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 48% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Samuel Whitbread Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2025 intake, 362 families put Samuel Whitbread Academy as their first choice for 356 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 354 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 137948.
- 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.