Bedford Free School

  • Secondary
  • Free school
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Outstanding

Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9ADOpen in maps

Bedford Free School is a secondary school in Bedford for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 84 schools in Bedford. It ranks 3rd of 13 secondary schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in January 2020.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 15 January 2020, report published 23 March 2020

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

98 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.5

46.5, 0.4 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths36.7%

36.7%, 8.7 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths62.2%

62.2%, 2.6 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc88.8%

88.8%, 48.3 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.51

4.51, 0.42 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

536 pupils on roll, with places for 500

Eligible for free school meals29.5%

29.5%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language66.4%

66.4%, 44.8 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support4.7%

4.7%, 10.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.5%

3.5%, 2.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Bedford Free School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Bedford Girls' School0.2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 14.2
Bedford School0.6 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 14.6
Castle Newnham School0.7 milesReport card: Expected standard67% met the expected standard
Bedford Academy1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 42.8
Bedford Modern School1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 31.3

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Tom Wood
Phone
01234332299
Website
bedfordfreeschool.co.uk
Address
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AD
Local authority
Bedford
URN
138228

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.