The Bewdley School

Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Stourport Road, Bewdley, DY12 1BL

01299 403277 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 15 October 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths41%England 45% · 2024/25
16th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 42% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils970Room for 958 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 942 in 2019, 968 in 2021, 981 in 2022, 973 in 2023, 967 in 2024, 964 in 2025, 970 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.2216 for 174 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 25 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 83% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 15 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

112 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Worcestershire comparisons use the 25 of its 46 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 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.

StatementThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 15th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 35% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 79% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
9th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
18th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 74% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 50 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 11th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 50% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
50% 48% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 89 parents who had raised a concern
16th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 33% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 65% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 35 parents of children with SEND
11th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 21% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
46% 60% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
14th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worcestershire.
Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78%said yes 75% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 12%). 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. Worcestershire figures pool parents at the Worcestershire 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.

We'll ask you to confirm. One email per change, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy.

Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

157 pupils in this year group.

41% — about the same as the Worcestershire average, and 5 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 41% 41% 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. 42.6 44.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.8 3.9 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 41%This school 2023/24: 52%This school 2024/25: 41% This school England 45% 2022/23 41% 2023/24 52% 2024/25 41%

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.

177 pupils in this year group.

95% — 2 points above the Worcestershire average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 28%11%43%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
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 28% 31% 34%
Sixth form college 11% 17% 13%
Further education college 43% 36% 37%
Apprenticeship 7% 4% 3%
Work 5% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%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

50 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 23% 18% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 48% 43% 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. 33.8 32 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 31.4This school 2023/24: 34.7This school 2024/25: 33.8 This school England 35 2022/23 31.4 2023/24 34.7 2024/25 33.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

18 subjects, 128 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
History 12 8% 17% 23%
Mathematics 12 8% 67% 40%
Biology 10 10% 20% 27%
English Language and Literature 9 11% 11% 16%
Government and Politics 9 0% 11% 26%
Psychology 9 0% 22% 19%
Computer Studies / Computing 8 0% 38% 24%
Physics 8 0% 50% 31%
Business Studies:Single 7 0% 0% 16%
Sociology 7 0% 29% 20%
Classical Civilisation 6 0% 0% 23%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 6 0% 0% 15%
English Literature 6 0% 0% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physical Education / Sports Studies, Chemistry, Geography, Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Textiles).

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.

59 students in this year group.

86% — 4 points above the Worcestershire average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 3% 9% 7%
Work 37% 35% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
93%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.

59 students in this year group.

75% — 17 points above the Worcestershire average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 75% 58% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 15% 16% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
68%75%

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 Worcestershire. 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 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered174
Families who put it first216
Of those, offered a place169 (78%)
Families who listed it at all381

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Worcestershire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWorcestershireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
31st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.9% 22.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
14th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.4% 3.1%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
11th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.4% 14.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 41st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.6% 9.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
30th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.8% 8.5%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
Joint 24th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
23.2% 23.2%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
23rd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.8 13.3 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
17th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.5% 5.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.21% 0.23% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
31st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.9 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 30th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.4 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
12th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Worcestershire.
Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
17.0% 11.6%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is The Bewdley School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did The Bewdley School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 41% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The Bewdley School?

78% of the 112 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Bewdley School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The Bewdley School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 216 families put The Bewdley School as their first choice for 174 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 169 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.