The Academy of Central Bedfordshire, Houghton Regis

In its own words: "The Academy of Central Bedfordshire exists to make a positive difference to each of our students. We do this by recognising everyone as an individual and providing a personalised approach to their education to enable them to learn, mature and thrive."

Across Central Bedfordshire, 91% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 96% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Central Bedfordshire lodged 144 appeals against secondary school offers; 129 reached a hearing and 35 succeeded (27.1% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Academy of Central Bedfordshire are Houstone School (0.2 miles, Attainment 8 48.7); The Chalk Hills Academy (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.8); All Saints Academy Dunstable (1.6 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 35.7); and Lealands High School (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.7).

16 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Academy of Central Bedfordshire (as of September 2025): 94% would recommend the school, 88% say their child is happy there and 86% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (86%).

Of the 33 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 39% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 36% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

61% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (70%) and Mixed (20%).

In 2026, 27 pupils (45.8%) received SEN support and 25 (42.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Leagrave Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Parkside Drive (opposite), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 166 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Central Bedfordshire (47), as is usual near a town centre.

The primary schools closest to The Academy of Central Bedfordshire are Lime Tree Primary Academy (0.2 miles), Thornhill Primary School (0.2 miles), St Vincent's Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles) and Tithe Farm Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.