Samuel Whitbread Academy

Secondary
Academy
Ages 13 to 18

Ofsted: Good

Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Samuel Whitbread Academy is a secondary school in Shefford for ages 13 to 18. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 5th of 14 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 31 October 2017, report published 11 December 2017

Overall effectiveness: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Sixth form provision: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

396 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.7

46.7, 0.6 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths48%

48%, 2.6 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths72.7%

72.7%, 7.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc11.6%

11.6%, 28.9 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.87

3.87, 0.22 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

181 students

Average point score per A level entry35.94

35.94, 0.94 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,657 pupils on roll, with places for 1,650

Eligible for free school meals10.8%

10.8%, 15.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.4%

2.4%, 19.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.2%

12.2%, 2.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.4%

5.4%, 0.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Samuel Whitbread Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Henlow Church of England Academy	2 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 42.7
Stratton School	4 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 38.9
Edward Peake CofE VC School	5 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	4% met the expected standard
Fearnhill School	5 miles	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	Attainment 8: 38.9
The Priory School	5 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 48.5

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: BEDFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Age range: 13 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Nicholas Martin
Phone: 01462629900
Website: samuelwhitbread.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QS
Local authority: Central Bedfordshire
URN: 137948

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.