Bedford Modern School, Bedford
Bedford Modern School is an independent school for pupils aged 7 to 18 in Bedford. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in September 2025.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Bedford Modern School in detail
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Bedford Modern School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Bedford Modern School are Bedford Greenacre Independent School (0.5 miles), Polam School (0.5 miles), Bedford School (0.9 miles) and Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School (0.9 miles).
Bedford Greenacre Independent SchoolPolam SchoolBedford SchoolPilgrims Pre-Preparatory School
Where pupils go next
Of the 149 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 65% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 18% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 223 pupils (18.3%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Bedford Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bedford Modern School (outside), 210 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 492 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Bedford (136), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
9 September 2025
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
1 February 2022
Regulatory Compliance
22 November 2017
Integrated
19 November 2013
About
Bedford Modern School is a Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference independent school in Bedford, England. The school has its origins in The Harpur Trust, born from the endowments left by Sir William Harpur in the 16th century.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Bedford Modern School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby all-through schools
Keep up with Bedford Modern School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Bedford Modern School.
- Ultimate Activity Camps at Bedford Modern SchoolAt the school · Not yet graded
- SSG Services900m away · Not yet graded
- Explore Learning Bedford940m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 49
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 49 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 4 serious and 44 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
12 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Bedford is 6 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
94%
Near capacity
1,219 pupils
1,300 places
81 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Bedford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bedford
Across Bedford council
Places available
2,556
Applications
2,095
Got 1st preference
90.6%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All secondary applications across Bedford council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
223
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
18.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
1,219
Total Pupils
659
Boys
560
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Bedford Modern School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Bedford Modern School
What are GCSE results like at Bedford Modern School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Bedford Modern School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Bedford Modern School last inspected?
Bedford Modern School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in September 2025.
How many pupils go to Bedford Modern School?
Bedford Modern School has around 1219 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Bedford Modern School?
Bedford Modern School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does Bedford Modern School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Ultimate Activity Camps at Bedford Modern School (registered, not yet graded). There are 2 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Bedford Modern School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 49 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 4 serious and 44 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 12 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Bedford is 6 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bedford Modern School?
Bedford Modern School is at Manton Lane, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7NT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)