SchoolScoresVandyke Upper School
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of VANDYKE UPPER SCHOOL
Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3DY
01525 636700 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 March 2015.
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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 24 January 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
167 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Central Bedfordshire comparisons use the 15 of its 27 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 12 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 | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 92% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 82% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 46 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 4th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 77% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 48% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 106 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 92% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 67% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 76% | 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. Central Bedfordshire figures pool parents at the Central Bedfordshire 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
352 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. | 48.2 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 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.
374 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Central Bedfordshire average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 51% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 93% |
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
200 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 21% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 51% | 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. | 35.0 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 490 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 59 | 7% | 20% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 46 | 13% | 26% | 40% |
| Law | 44 | 0% | 18% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 43 | 2% | 23% | 14% |
| Psychology | 42 | 2% | 19% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 35 | 3% | 14% | 16% |
| English Literature | 30 | 3% | 17% | 23% |
| Geography | 30 | 3% | 23% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 26 | 15% | 42% | 30% |
| Biology | 25 | 16% | 28% | 27% |
| Government and Politics | 16 | 0% | 31% | 26% |
| English Language | 15 | 0% | 7% | 13% |
| Physics | 14 | 7% | 29% | 31% |
| Art and Design | 12 | 8% | 25% | 34% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 0% | 9% | 26% |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | 9% | 18% | 16% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 9 | 11% | 11% | 17% |
| French | 7 | 0% | 0% | 38% |
| Art and Design (3d Studies) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 28% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, German, Mathematics (Further), Portuguese, Russian.
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.
178 students in this year group.
88% — 8 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 9 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. | 88% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 34% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 88% |
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.
172 students in this year group.
55% — 2 points below the Central Bedfordshire average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 55% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 9% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 65% | 55% |
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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 343 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 395 |
| Of those, offered a place | 343 (87%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 533 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 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 2025 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th 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 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 60% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.7% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Lower than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.46% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Higher than 27% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8% | 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
- Gilbert Inglefield Academy 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026, before conversion: safeguarding not met; 6 urgent improvement
- Brooklands Middle School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Leighton Middle School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2024
- Linslade School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022
- Cedars Upper School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Vandyke Upper School's Ofsted rating?
Vandyke Upper School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 March 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 24 January 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Vandyke Upper School 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%.
Would parents recommend Vandyke Upper School?
94% of the 167 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Vandyke Upper School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Vandyke Upper School oversubscribed?
For the September 2025 intake, 395 families put Vandyke Upper School as their first choice for 343 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 343 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 137169.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- 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.