Bedford Free School, Bedford
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Bedford Free School excels at developing well-rounded pupils who achieve academically while also building strong character and life skills. The school combines rigorous teaching with exceptional pastoral care, ensuring every pupil - including those with additional needs - gets the support they need to succeed. With a broad curriculum, extensive enrichment activities and a clear focus on pupil wellbeing, the school creates a community where pupils are genuinely happy and proud to learn.
Key Strengths
- Well-constructed, ambitious academic curriculum with expert teaching and regular feedback that helps pupils improve
- Excellent support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, enabling them to access the full curriculum and achieve very well
- Strong culture of reading with targeted support for struggling readers who catch up quickly
- Impressive enrichment programme including trips, sports, and wider experiences that develop all pupils' talents and interests
- Exemplary pupil behaviour with low-level disruption being very rare
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders creating an open and positive culture that prioritises pupils' safety and wellbeing.
Extracurricular Activities
Mountain climbing trip to Snowdon (Year 7), sports, pilates, embroidery, Mandarin, Latin, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, pickleball, Oxford College trips, history castle trips, Paralympic festival, work experience (Year 10), University of Bedfordshire visits (Year 7)
Bedford Free School has successfully maintained the high standards identified at its previous outstanding inspection. Pupils flourish in this school, experiencing exceptional education with high expectations for learning, behaviour and personal development.
At a Glance
29.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
91 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
22.5
Avg class size
22
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
107%
Over capacity
536 pupils
500 capacity
36 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Bedford
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bedford
Admissions Demand - Bedford
Places available
2,346
Applications
2,069
Got 1st preference
84.1%
Got preferred school
96.7%
Secondary admissions across Bedford (2025/26)
Inspection History(104)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.71864%
Overall absence
19.41924%
Persistent absence
551
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Bedford Free School
Priory Primary School
Cauldwell School
Shackleton Primary School
Castle Newnham School
Livingstone Primary School
King's Oak Primary School
Queen's Park Academy
Westfield Primary School
Edith Cavell Primary School
St John Rigby Catholic Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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