Goldington Academy
126%
Capacity
942
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Goldington Academy
Goldington Academy is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Bedford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 942 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (126% of 750 places).
Ofsted has rated Goldington Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Francis Galbraith, it falls under Bedford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.85 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 54.1. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 157th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 14 in Bedford.
Goldington Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 498 applications for 180 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 303 were first-preference applications.
Goldington Academy has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.6/5 from 6 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Goldington Academy include ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Library, Gymnasium.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Swimming, Cricket, Cross Country and 6 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Choir, Eco Club, Model UN and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 22.7%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bedford, Goldington Academy is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Haylands Way, Bedford, Bedford, MK41 9BX |
| Headteacher | Francis Galbraith |
| Local Authority | Bedford |
| Number of Pupils | 942 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 22.7% |
| School Capacity | 942 / 750 (126% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
1 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 17 Mar 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.85)
157th of 3,141
Nationally
17th of 350
In East of England
2nd of 14
In Bedford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed180
498
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
303 families put this school as their 1st choice (61% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldington Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Haylands Way, Bedford
Bedford, MK41 9BX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Goldington Academy!
Write a Review