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HomeSchoolsBedford area

Schools in Bedford area

136 schools and nurseries in Bedford area. Explore local options and compare published results, attendance and admissions information.

  • 31,358 pupils attend the 68 state-funded schools with published pupil counts.
  • 15,927 primary pupils and 15,431 secondary pupils are recorded in these schools.
  • 21 primary schools and 7 secondary schools have a Classpot Rating of 5/10 or higher.
61Nurseries53Primary16Secondary6PrivateSee all schools

Best Primary Schools in Bedford area

Up to 10 schools rated 5/10 or higher · Classpot Rating · 2024/25

  • Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook)

    Ages 0–562 registered placesBedford, MK44 1LQ
  • All Nations Pre-School

    Ofsted: GoodAges 0–532 registered placesBedford, MK41 7QF
  • Almonds Pre-school

    Ofsted: GoodAges 0–566 registered placesBedford, MK43 8JP
  • Aristotots Nursery School

    Ofsted: GoodAges 0–576 registered placesBedford, MK40 3LH
  • Banana Moon Day Nursery

    Ofsted: GoodAges 0–570 registered placesBedford, MK42 8BQ
See all nurseries in Bedford area
  • Harrold Primary Academy

    10Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 4–1196 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 81% · 2024/25
  • Cotton End Forest School

    9Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 2–11435 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 77% · 2024/25
  • Hazeldene School

    9Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 3–11443 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 75% · 2024/25
  • Cauldwell School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: Not JudgedAges 4–11415 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 74% · 2024/25
  • Bromham CofE Primary School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 4–11496 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 74% · 2024/25
  • Kymbrook Primary School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 2–1176 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 75% · 2024/25
  • Elstow School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 4–11413 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 74% · 2024/25
  • Great Denham Primary School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: OutstandingAges 3–11677 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 72% · 2024/25
  • Turvey Primary School

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 5–1181 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 71% · 2024/25
  • Sharnbrook Primary

    7Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 3–11216 pupilsReading, writing & maths: 70% · 2024/25
See all primary schools in Bedford area
  • Goldington Academy

    9Classpot RatingOfsted: Not JudgedAges 11–16958 pupilsAttainment 8: 54.3 · 2024/25
  • Sharnbrook Academy

    8Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 11–181,684 pupilsAttainment 8: 51.6 · 2024/25
  • Wixams Academy

    6Classpot RatingOfsted: Not JudgedAges 11–19903 pupilsAttainment 8: 47.5 · 2024/25
  • Bedford Free School

    6Classpot RatingOfsted: OutstandingAges 11–16536 pupilsAttainment 8: 46.5 · 2024/25
  • St Thomas More Catholic School

    6Classpot RatingAges 11–18893 pupilsAttainment 8: 47.0 · 2024/25
  • Lincroft Academy

    5Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 11–16923 pupilsAttainment 8: 45.0 · 2024/25
  • Wootton Academy

    5Classpot RatingOfsted: GoodAges 11–19822 pupilsAttainment 8: 44.3 · 2024/25
See all secondary schools in Bedford area
  • Bedford Girls' School

    Ages 7–18843 pupilsBedford, MK42 0BX
  • Bedford Greenacre Independent School

    Ages 0–18775 pupilsBedford, MK41 7FZ
  • Bedford Modern School

    Ages 7–181,219 pupilsBedford, MK41 7NT
  • KWS School

    Ages 11–1818 pupilsBedford, MK41 9TJ
  • Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School

    Ages 0–7297 pupilsBedford, MK41 7QZ
See all private schools in Bedford area

Other areas in East of England

Babergh areaBasildon areaBraintree areaBreckland areaBrentwood areaBroadland areaBroxbourne areaCambridgeCastle Point area

Frequently Asked Questions

The pupil total covers 68 of 69 state-funded primary and secondary schools in Bedford area. These figures count pupils enrolled at schools in the area covered by this page, not children living there. The same directory geography is used for the summary and the school catalogue; see “Which area does this page cover?” for its boundaries. We use the latest pupil counts in our school directory; reporting years are not recorded consistently, so this is not a single-year census. Schools without published pupil counts are excluded from the totals. Nurseries and private schools are not included.

Methodology and official sources

This directory covers the Bedford administrative area, which can include surrounding towns and villages. It is not an admissions catchment boundary.

Explore the full area catalogue

Our current directory lists 136 schools and nurseries: 61 nurseries, 53 state primary schools, 16 state secondary schools and 6 private schools. Categories can overlap or omit other school types, so their counts may not add up to the total. These are Classpot directory counts, not a census of every education provider.

Where Classpot Rating is available, we show up to 10 highest-ranked schools scoring 5/10 or higher for that category. Schools below 5/10 remain in the full catalogue. The rating combines 90% academic attainment and 10% attendance using 2024/25 data. Primary and secondary schools are compared separately. Equal results share a rank; a preview is limited to 10 even when schools tie. If no rated schools meet the threshold, the selection is empty. The rating does not measure every aspect of a school or guarantee that it suits your child.

Methodology and official sources

When comparable Classpot Ratings are unavailable, we show up to five schools alphabetically. Nurseries and private schools do not receive a Classpot Rating in this version. Missing data does not mean a low score. See all opens the full category catalogue for this area, including schools without ratings.

Use the Primary and Secondary tabs above to see their separate Classpot Rating selections on this page. Use the full catalogue to filter schools by the information that matters to your family.

Best Primary Schools in Bedford areaBest Secondary Schools in Bedford area

No. Classpot Rating compares published academic and attendance data. Ofsted information is shown separately and reflects the available inspection record. Check the inspection date and framework on the school profile; an older overall grade is not a current assessment of every aspect of the school.

Read about our sources

Apply through the local authority where your child lives. For September 2027 entry, the national deadlines are 31 October 2026 for secondary and 15 January 2027 for primary. National offer days are 1 March 2027 and 16 April 2027, respectively, or the next working day if needed. Check the council and school for opening dates, supplementary forms and their current policy.

Official admissions guidance

No. Admissions may consider looked-after children, siblings, faith, selection and distance, depending on the school. Historic admission distances and oversubscription describe a previous cohort and do not predict an offer. The district boundary on this page is not a catchment boundary.

Understanding catchment areas