The Hills Academy, Bedford

In its own words: "The Hills Academy is a vibrant and diverse school with strong values as central to our happy and safe environment. We pride ourselves in combining achievement with excellent extra-curricular opportunities and personal development for all our pupils. Dedicated and committed staff, governors, volunteers, parent groups and student forums continue to drive forward the success and growth of the school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We passionately believe in the right of every child to have a first class education that lays down the foundations for future success and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of 21 st Century living."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care until 6:00pm, from £3 per session.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at The Hills Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 70% in Bedford and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 85% in reading and 87% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 72 families put The Hills Academy as their first choice and 183 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 13 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to The Hills Academy are Hazeldene School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 85% reading, 80% maths); St John Rigby Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 63% reading, 57% maths); Brickhill Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 70% maths); and Putnoe Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 74% reading, 71% maths).

The Hills Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

123 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Hills Academy (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 97% say their child is happy there and 82% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (82%).

9.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 22 pupils (5%) received SEN support and 11 (2.5%) 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 autism.

The Hills Academy had 26 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Bedford St Johns Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Braeside (opposite), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Hills Academy stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 210 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.

In 2024/25, The Hills Academy issued 5 suspensions, 1.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to The Hills Academy are Goldington Academy (0.4 miles), Mark Rutherford School (0.8 miles), Castle Newnham School (0.8 miles) and St Thomas More Catholic School (1.1 miles).