SchoolScoresSt Bede's Inter-Church School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England/Roman Catholic
Part of ST BEDE'S INTER CHURCH SCHOOL
Birdwood Road, Cambridge, CB1 3TD
01223 568816 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 4 June 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
209 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Cambridge comparisons use the 13 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Cambridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 82% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 96% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 75 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 95% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 162 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 96% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 70% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 97% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Cambridge figures pool parents at the Cambridge 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
180 pupils in this year group.
74% — 24 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 29 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 74% | 50% | 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. | 61.6 | 48.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.9 | 4.4 | 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.
181 pupils in this year group.
97% — 4 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 8% | 24% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 80% | 32% | 13% |
| Further education college | 6% | 29% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 97% |
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 Cambridgeshire. 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 | 177 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 288 |
| Of those, offered a place | 173 (60%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 473 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.6 · 2025: 1.6 · 2026: 1.6
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.
This is a Church of England/Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 11.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.3% | 14.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 20.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 5.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.11% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 13th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 15th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 17th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 22% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 16.5%* | 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
- Coleridge Community College 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cambridge Muslim Secondary School 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- The Netherhall School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cambridge Maths School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · A+ average A level grade
- Hills Road Sixth Form College 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B+ average A level grade
- The Perse School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 79% A*/A at A level
- Abbey College Cambridge 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 52% A*/A at A level
- St Andrew's College Cambridge 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 22% A*/A at A level
- Sancton Wood School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 64% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bede's Inter-Church School's Ofsted rating?
St Bede's Inter-Church School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 June 2024.
How did St Bede's Inter-Church School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 74% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 29 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Bede's Inter-Church School?
97% of the 209 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Bede's Inter-Church School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bede's Inter-Church School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 288 families put St Bede's Inter-Church School as their first choice for 177 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 173 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 137924.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.