Classpot

Bedford Free School

Bedford, MK42 9ADSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Apr 2025
Progress 8
No data
First choices / offers
1.5×
More first choices than offers made
168 1st-choice / 109 offers made
Ranking
🏆Top 5%
#41 of 3,141 nationally

About Bedford Free School

Bedford Free School is a state-funded secondary school in Bedford, East of England, for pupils aged 11 to 16 for boys and girls. DfE data records 536 pupils on roll and a published capacity of 500.

The latest recorded Ofsted overall judgement is Outstanding (24 Apr 2025). the published Attainment 8 score was 46.5 for 2024/25. admissions data records 168 first-preference applications and 109 offers made on national offer day for 2026/27.

Figures can refer to different reporting periods. Check the date and source shown beside each section. How Classpot uses published data.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
AddressCauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedford, MK42 9AD
HeadteacherMr Tom Wood
Local AuthorityBedford
Number of Pupils536
Free School Meals (FSM)29.5%
School Capacity536 / 500 (107% full)

The full report on this school

What 91 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

24 Apr 2025
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding

Latest monitoring visit (24 Apr 2025): Standards maintained

Source: Ofsted, 23 Mar 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Published SEND Data

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education. Confirm current provision with the school's SENCO.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 16:00

Breakfast club

08:00-08:24

After-school care

16:00-17:30

Source: bedfordfreeschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bedford Free School

Bedford Free School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This is the overall judgement recorded under the inspection framework in use on the inspection date. Read the report and date before comparing it with newer inspections.