Bedford School, Bedford
Bedford School is an independent school for boys aged 7 to 19 in Bedford. It has a Church of England religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2023.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Bedford School in detail
Bedford School in its own words
In its own words: "Welcome to one of the finest schools in the country. Nestled in 50 spectacular acres and just 45 minutes from both London and Cambridge, we have proudly upheld a tradition of outstanding education for nearly five centuries."
From the headteacher's welcome: "At Bedford Prep, we understand that these early years are when pupils truly begin to discover how they learn best. It is a pivotal time to develop confidence and resilience, and build solid foundations for lifelong achievement. At Bedford Prep, we believe education is about helping children discover who they are and who they might become."
The school runs after-school care.
Coming up: an open day on Monday 9 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 1 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Bedford
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
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 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 School are Polam School (0.6 miles); Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School (0.6 miles); Bedford Girls' School (0.6 miles); and Bedford Modern School (0.9 miles, selective).
Polam SchoolPilgrims Pre-Preparatory SchoolBedford Girls' SchoolBedford Modern School
Where pupils go next
Of the 135 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 76% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 8% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 285 pupils (28.7%) received SEN support and 1 (0.1%) 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.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bedford Hospital North Wing (outside), 140 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 861 crimes within a mile of the school, most often shoplifting, violence and sexual offences 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
17 October 2023
Regulatory Compliance
26 June 2019
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
22 November 2016
Focused Compliance Inspection
22 November 2016
About
Bedford School is a public school for boys aged 7–18, in the county town of Bedford in England. Founded in 1552, it is the oldest of four independent schools in Bedford run by the Harpur Trust.
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 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
Latest from Bedford School
Taking Learning to New Heights with the CCF
2 Oct 2026
Sparking a Passion for Storytelling
2 Oct 2026
Ollie Makes Hockey History
23 Sep 2026
Inside Training with OB Fraser Dingwall
23 Sep 2026
Parent Partnership Returns with Inspiring First Talk
21 Sep 2026
Sport in Full Swing
18 Sep 2026
From Bedford School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Bedford School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Bedford School.
- Cascade Camps at Bedford SchoolAt the school · Not yet graded
- Football Fun Camp: Bedford College960m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 71
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 17
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 71 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 17 serious and 53 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 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
83%
Available places
994 pupils
1,200 places
206 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
285
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
28.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
994
Total Pupils
994
Boys
0
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Bedford School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Bedford School
What are GCSE results like at Bedford 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 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 School last inspected?
Bedford School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2023.
How many pupils go to Bedford School?
Bedford School has around 994 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Bedford School?
Bedford 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 School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Cascade Camps at Bedford School (registered, not yet graded). There is another 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 School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 71 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 17 serious and 53 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 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 School?
Bedford School is at De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2TU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)