Secondary applications close 31 October – compare your shortlist now
A word search hiding Bedford and its nearest neighbours

Schools in Bedford

Bedford has 97 schools: 77 primary and 20 secondary or all-through. 83% of the 93 schools with an Ofsted grade are rated Good or better (Strong standard or better under the new report cards). Among secondary schools, Goldington Academy has the highest Attainment 8 score (52.0 in 2026). Among primary schools, Harrold Primary Academy has the highest share of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (81% in 2025).

  • 106 schools
  • 20 secondary
  • 77 primary

Bedford is in Bedford local authority. See its school places, applications and offers.

Secondary Schools in Bedford

Ranked by Attainment 8, the average GCSE score per pupil. Progress 8 is from the latest year published.

#SchoolOfstedAttainment 8Progress 8Pupils
1 Goldington Academy Strong standard 52.0 (2026) +0.85 (2024) 958
2 Bedford Free School Outstanding 51.0 (2026) +1.11 (2024) 536
3 Lincroft Academy Good 50.4 (2026) +0.40 (2024) 923
4 Sharnbrook Academy Good 47.7 (2026) +0.17 (2024) 1,684
5 Daubeney Academy Good 46.1 (2026) +0.02 (2024) 576
6 Redborne Upper School and Community College Good 45.3 (2026) +0.08 (2024) 1,657
7 Wootton Academy Good 44.8 (2026) -0.17 (2024) 822
8 Bedford Academy Good 44.4 (2026) +0.43 (2024) 1,480
9 Wixams Academy Needs attention 43.9 (2026) +0.23 (2024) 903
10 St Thomas More Catholic School Good 41.0 (2026) +0.31 (2024) 893
11 Mark Rutherford School Needs attention 40.7 (2026) -0.05 (2024) 1,150
12 Biddenham International School and Sports College Good 40.3 (2026) +0.12 (2024) 1,422
13 Kempston Academy Good 38.4 (2026) -0.09 (2024) 773
14 Bedford College Good – – –
15 Castle Newnham School Expected standard – – 624
16 Grange Academy Expected standard – – 161
17 Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College Good – – 749
18 Ridgeway School Good – – 125
19 Rivertree Free School – – – 126
20 St John's School Good – – 178

Primary Schools in Bedford

Ranked by the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Year 6.

#SchoolOfstedMet expected standardPupils
1 Harrold Primary Academy Good 81% (2025) 96
2 Cotton End Forest School Good 77% (2025) 435
3 Hazeldene School Good 75% (2025) 443
4 Kymbrook Primary School Good 75% (2025) 76
5 Bromham CofE Primary School Good 74% (2025) 496
6 Cauldwell School Needs attention 74% (2025) 415
7 Elstow School Good 74% (2025) 413
8 Great Denham Primary School Outstanding 72% (2025) 677
9 Turvey Primary School Strong standard 71% (2025) 81
10 Sharnbrook Primary Good 70% (2025) 216
11 Carlton CofE Primary School Good 67% (2025) 87
12 Great Ouse Primary Academy Expected standard 67% (2025) 455
13 Kempston Rural Primary School Good 67% (2025) 439
14 Oakley Primary Academy Good 63% (2025) 210
15 The Hills Academy Good 63% (2025) 442
16 Wilden CofE VA Primary School Good 63% (2025) 45
17 Goldington Green Academy Good 62% (2025) 576
18 Moggerhanger Primary School Good 62% (2025) 119
19 King's Oak Primary School Expected standard 61% (2025) 826
20 Queen's Park Academy Good 61% (2025) 446
21 Arnold Academy Good 60% (2025) 704
22 Eileen Wade Primary School Expected standard 60% (2025) 70
23 Shortstown Primary School Expected standard 60% (2025) 479
24 Wixams Tree Primary Academy Good 60% (2025) 559
25 Scott Primary School & Nursery Good 59% (2025) 469
26 Edith Cavell Primary School Good 58% (2025) 292
27 Brickhill Primary School Good 57% (2025) 209
28 Putnoe Primary School Good 57% (2025) 494
29 Riseley CofE Primary School Good 56% (2025) 121
30 Milton Ernest CofE Primary School Good 55% (2025) 67
31 Marston Vale Middle School Good 54% (2025) 563
32 Shackleton Primary School Needs attention 54% (2025) 487
33 St James' CofE Academy Good 54% (2025) 194
34 Alameda Middle School Good 51% (2025) 720
35 Springfield Primary School Good 51% (2025) 365
36 Priory Primary School Good 50% (2025) 214
37 Sheerhatch Primary School Needs attention 50% (2025) 129
38 Thurleigh Primary School Good 50% (2025) 92
39 Livingstone Primary School Good 49% (2025) 457
40 St John Rigby Catholic Primary School Good 49% (2025) 268
41 Camestone School Good 48% (2025) 408
42 Westfield Primary School Expected standard 48% (2025) 298
43 Bedford Road Primary Academy Needs attention 46% (2025) 365
44 Christopher Reeves CofE VA Primary School Good 46% (2025) 70
45 St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School Good 44% (2025) 271
46 Renhold VC Primary School Good 43% (2025) 191
47 Balliol Primary School Good 39% (2025) 355
48 Woodland Middle School Academy Good 39% (2025) 645
49 Ursula Taylor Church of England School Outstanding 35% (2025) 350
50 John Donne Church of England Primary School Needs attention 29% (2025) 119
51 Pinchmill Primary School Requires Improvement 29% (2025) 88
52 Holywell School Good 27% (2025) 668
53 Roxton Church of England Academy Good 27% (2025) 70
54 Ravensden CofE Primary Academy Good 9% (2025) 51
55 Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy Good 0% (2025) 176
56 Broadmead Lower School Good – 228
57 Cherry Trees Nursery School – – 147
58 Cranfield Church of England Academy Good – 511
59 Flitwick Lower School Good – 336
60 Gravenhurst Academy Outstanding – 72
61 Haynes Lower School Good – 136
62 Houghton Conquest Primary School Good – 139
63 Kingsmoor Lower School Good – 167
64 Lakeview School Good – 436
65 Lidlington Primary School Good – 92
66 Maulden Lower School Good – 166
67 Newton Blossomville Church of England School Outstanding – 7
68 Peter Pan Nursery School – – 118
69 Ramsey Manor Lower School Good – 293
70 Ridgmont Lower School Expected standard – 11
71 Silsoe CofE VC Lower School Good – 251
72 Templefield Lower School Good – 290
73 The Firs Lower School Good – 350
74 Westoning Lower School Good – 115
75 Willow Grove Primary School – – 104
76 Wilstead Primary School Good – –
77 Wootton Primary School Good – 731

← View all towns